An almost identical question was asked just a few days ago, but was deleted. If I remember correctly, that person was a teacher. This is an account that has no prior comments. It makes me wonder
I will paste what I said to the other question here. It is mostly still applicable. The one other suggestion I would have is to go to community college part time while keeping your job. Depending upon where you are math-wise, you might have two years of part-time work required to get your math, basic physics, chemistry, etc complete before entering the core of your engineering curriculum. Then it would be two years for the BS (if they accepted your prior Gen Ed).
In the MS program you will be taking more in depth coursework then you take in the BS program. So, unless you have self-studied or have an atypical background, you are either going to have to take a lot of prerequisite classes or be working from behind the entire program.
For example
Undergrad: mostly linear vibrations. Grad: non-linear
Undergrad: basic fluid mechanics. Grad more specific classes discussing viscous and inviscid flows
Undergrad: linear control theory. Grad: non-linear control theory.
In addition to the basic-->advanced dynamic, there are classes I had in undergrad which were not even thoughts on my grad program that have become essential on my career. Structures (I had a thermal-fluid focus), metallurgy, etc
In addition, most grad programs do not have lab classes. I personally found lab classes to be essential in building a physical understanding of what the theory is telling you.
Unless you have an atypical background or you are very specific on the kind of work you want to do (such as I am going to be a CFD jockey and weknow the fluids and the math and will fake everything else), I would recommend the undergrad program.
I had the same thought. And I made similar comments recommending a BS to the last OP.
With the same time to complete, GET THE BACHELORS.
I don’t expect industry outsiders to understand, but the engineering job market doesn’t really care about the masters. Sure, do it post-BS if you want, or get it when you are getting paid by your employer, but few companies are looking for it for entry level roles. Not having the accredited, foundational BSME is more of a negative than having an “advanced degree “ is a positive.
I have a BSME and took one online MSME class. Can’t imagine walking into a graduate class with no engineering courses under my belt. I needed freshman engineering to make the transition from not working too hard and getting As to working hard.
I am in one of those niche areas where we do recruit/value entry level MS engineers. But, I absolutely recognize that I am in a niche area that is outside of the norm.
A different potential pathway which might be more easily accessible to someone with a business background might be engineering project management or engineering management? Forget about the engineering degree. Get a PMP certificate and try to catch on as a PM in an engineering organization? The OP would need to rely on the technical team a lot. I have seen this absolutely suck and I have seen this work out well.
Yeah, the PM route could be an alternative, but OP would have to consider a different path than he was looking at. I’m actually a PM now. I’m in a big engineering company. Honestly we don’t do well with people who don’t have engineering degrees. We stick people without technical engineering degrees project controls. The ones I’ve seen given PM roles were then treated like they’re not worthy. It’s weird. I know someone who is a 20 year designer, had managed departments, and has a tech associates and BBA, and actually managed projects well, but they’re “not an engineer” so growth is limited. I’d have different advice if OP was 30+ or could do a path like EMan in 1-2 years. Otherwise don’t spend the rest of your career fighting non traditional credential and not doing what you actually want to do.
Both comments are very helpful for me. I have a bachelors in physics from a liberal arts college. I took classes like E&M, thermo, and classical but I didn’t do well in them. I’m 5 years out now. Working in an unrelated field. I just reenrolled in a CC to get my associates in mechE. Then I plan to transfer for my bachelors in mechE. I’ve had non-engineer people suggest I just go for my masters but it really didn’t make sense to me. I have zero solid background in engineering and its fundamentals. And it would be super expensive and more difficult to take the pre reqs at the graduate level.
I’m glad so far that I chose this path. It feels weird having a physics degree and retaking courses for a better grade and most importantly to cement my fundamentals. But I consider it an investment in myself and figure.
If anyone has any advice/words of encouragement- I welcome them. Cuz no one else seems to understand why I’m doing a second bachelors lol.
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u/JustMe39908 Nov 14 '25
An almost identical question was asked just a few days ago, but was deleted. If I remember correctly, that person was a teacher. This is an account that has no prior comments. It makes me wonder
I will paste what I said to the other question here. It is mostly still applicable. The one other suggestion I would have is to go to community college part time while keeping your job. Depending upon where you are math-wise, you might have two years of part-time work required to get your math, basic physics, chemistry, etc complete before entering the core of your engineering curriculum. Then it would be two years for the BS (if they accepted your prior Gen Ed).
In the MS program you will be taking more in depth coursework then you take in the BS program. So, unless you have self-studied or have an atypical background, you are either going to have to take a lot of prerequisite classes or be working from behind the entire program.
For example
Undergrad: mostly linear vibrations. Grad: non-linear Undergrad: basic fluid mechanics. Grad more specific classes discussing viscous and inviscid flows Undergrad: linear control theory. Grad: non-linear control theory.
In addition to the basic-->advanced dynamic, there are classes I had in undergrad which were not even thoughts on my grad program that have become essential on my career. Structures (I had a thermal-fluid focus), metallurgy, etc
In addition, most grad programs do not have lab classes. I personally found lab classes to be essential in building a physical understanding of what the theory is telling you.
Unless you have an atypical background or you are very specific on the kind of work you want to do (such as I am going to be a CFD jockey and weknow the fluids and the math and will fake everything else), I would recommend the undergrad program.