what do you think of this school? for BSEE

[khixxx]

I posted this in another topic but I wanted to make a new post. I was looking at getting a BSEE but after relocating most of credit are not good for the local university. I'm looking to relocate soon so I was looking at www.kw.edu This is an online school that takes work experience and training experience to determine the amount of school you need to complete the program. The problem i've ran into is that I was an Instrumentation tech for alittle over 4 years and most employers want you to have a BSEE. What is everyones thoughts about this school.

 

[kingpb]

#1, if it's not ABET accredited, forget it.
#2, Most of my classes had labs. This will not be possible.
#3, Nothing in the choices has to do with Power Engineering.

There are no short cuts in life, and their is no substitute for good education.

Try going to a Junior College first, get all of the lower division stuff out of the way, and get your AA degree. You may find they are a little more flexible in applying the previous classes. With the AA you should be able to transfer to most any university to finish the core classes.

 

[boater bill]

Kingpb is right. An EAC/Abet accredited university is the only way to go. My degree is BSEET and is not accepted as a PE in many states even though I have passed the exams. The only online BSEE degree I have found is University of North Dakota. You spend a couple of weeks during the summer to take the required labs to get the accredited BSEE. The KW degree is not near as valuable.

 

[steve66]

I looked at a couple of the testimonials that KW has online. Everyone seemed to already have a bachelors (or even a masters) from a traditional college. And although everyone pretty much declared getting a higher degree was beneficial, I didn't see a single person who got a new job or career, or even a promotion or raise due to their new degree.

I would highly suggest a traditional school. I went to a community college for my first two years. (Choose one that has a transfer program agreement with the 4 year college you want to attend to make sure all your community college classes will be accepted - and stick with the classes that are transferrable.)

 

[jtester]

Don't rule out a BSEET, in New Mexico they are eligible for a PE with 1 year additional apprenticeship time. I have a BSEE, but find the BSET guys are a bit more hands on, where my education was more theoretical.

Jim T

 

[khixxx]

Why should a school be a ABET? Some state offer the PE program without being reconized with a ABET.I was looking at option B in the program. what would be the difference of the BSEET and BSEE programs. I"m just trying to understand everything that will come to a BSEE. I also agree that most of the testimonials are from current engineers, or people that are in a company. They say the companies paid the tuition. I'm going to ask to speak to someone that was in my position and see were they are at now.

 

[boater bill]

The biggest reason you want an EAC ABET degree is so you don't run into a problem as I have. Not anticipating moving somewhere that doesn't recognize your degree. You can practically double your salary with a PE versus being a degree engineer. I got my PE with additional intern time, passed the tests, get the references, but you are not deemed as worthy as someone else with the correct degree. Don't want to sound off with sour grapes, but if getting the BS important to you, get the best you can grow your career with.

 

[jtester]

Why should a school be a ABET? Some state offer the PE program without being reconized with a ABET.I was looking at option B in the program. what would be the difference of the BSEET and BSEE programs. I"m just trying to understand everything that will come to a BSEE. I also agree that most of the testimonials are from current engineers, or people that are in a company. They say the companies paid the tuition. I'm going to ask to speak to someone that was in my position and see were they are at now.

Not many states accept current education from an non-ABET school. Additionally it is unlikely you could pass the national tests for a PE with only home study. I can't imagine getting a PE without spending significant time in a classroom.

An EET is an electrical engineering technology degree. It is more practical, more hands on, than a BSEE. Many also find an EET easier because it omits much of the theory.

Jim T

 

[michael_daetwiler]

Be ready to bust your butt in the EE courses

Be ready to bust your butt in the EE courses

I was an industrial controls electrician long before I quit my job to attend university. Be ready to spend the next five years spending long nights doing differential equations, theromdynamics, statics, dynamics, power, semiconductors, electromagnetics and on and on. If the school isn't ABET, don't waste your time or money. I've been an electrical engineer for 5 years now doing commercial power distribution and getting ready to take the PE here soon. Trust me there are times I wish I had stayed where I was. It's taken me this past 5 years to get into the mid $50's. Maybe the PE will put me into the $60 range. I was making $50k as a controls electrician [with a little overtime of course] and a whole lot less stress. It's your call.

 

[steved]

You might also consider the new SUNY online BSEE program, although you'd be gambling on whether they succeed in getting ABET accreditation.
According to their website:

ABET accreditation is only granted after the first class of students graduates from the program. Therefore, this online degree is not yet an ABET accredited program....In designing our program we have been in close contact with and followed the strict advice and guidelines of ABET to help ensure eventual accreditation.

As far as I know this is the only way you might be able to get an ABET-accredited BSEE online.