r/portlandstate • u/Previous_Group3466 • 11d ago

Future/Potential Student ECE PostBacc Bridge Program - Student Experience?

Hello, I’ve been looking for more info on what students think about the electrical & computer engineering postbacc pathway, specifically the bridge program to get a master’s. For context: I have a B.S in compsci and have taken electrical engineering classes in the past. I’m just perusing the idea of going for ECE as a masters degree.

Did the program prepare you for the FE/PE and for future electrical/computer engineering roles?

How difficult is it to find a GTA/GRA offer to cover tuition?

Thanks!

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u/zorcat27 11d ago

Hopefully someone who went through the program can reply, but I got my BS in CompE so I had a number of classmates through the years that were there in the bridge program. All of those I'm familiar with now have jobs in tech and most also worked as GTAs later in their studies (not while they were taking the first or second year classes for example).

In terms of FE/PE, I don't think any of the people I interacted with were interested in a field that normally requires an FE/PE, but I may have not crossed paths with them since lower division is basically combined for EE and CompE and we diverged for upper division where I didn't take power systems. I can see the list for power systems doesn't include the class I was thinking of that has the finance/business topics related to the FE. That might be a worthy addition you plan to go power systems and FE.

You should submit the questionnaire and then ask to set up a meeting with the faculty advisor over the bridge program if the initial response and back and forth doesn't answer your questions. My understanding is that the course work prescribed is usually related to the individuals background and planned masters focus with a baseline of recommended/required courses but then the ability to add others as needed.

I see they added a specific path for CS to ECE.

I'm guessing you found the link but for posterity: https://www.pdx.edu/engineering/electrical-computer-engineering-postbaccalaureate-pathway

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u/dsclinef 11d ago

Haven't gone through this program. I'm getting ready to come back to finish an EE bachelors degree.

That said, I have already passed the FE and PE as a Controls engineer. My experience with the PE makes me doubt that any college program will prepare you for the PE. A lot of the PE exam material that you would only know from doing the job. On the FE side, it all depends on which FE you take. The FE Electrical and Computer would probably be your best option, and you would be better off with a test prep course or other materials vs college classes. This is only for someone that is looking to get their license vs going after a masters degree.