Two-degree Programs

MSOE offers several options for students to earn a second degree that complements their major area of study. Double-major options provide the opportunity for students to earn a second bachelor’s degree within five years. Dual-degree options allow students to earn a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree during a five year period of study. Students have until their junior year to enroll in a two-degree program, but they may begin earlier. If students decide to enroll after their junior year has begun, they may still do so, but late enrollment may extend completion of the program beyond five years.

Several double-major and dual-degree options have specified curriculum tracks. Double-major options not listed below may be available and will be governed by the policy detailed in this catalog: Graduation Requirements: Undergraduate Double-major Candidate.

Double-major and Dual-degree Program Options

The following chart indicates which bachelor of science degree programs are eligible for double-major or dual-degree options:

Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering and Construction Management

Combining architectural engineering and construction management studies to earn two B.S. degrees in five years is a relatively popular option … rightfully so! Blending design engineering skills with construction project management abilities provides a powerful combination of complementary professional disciplines for an industry that increasingly seeks the most qualified employees for the most challenging and rewarding work, then pays them well when they succeed. Details about the AE and CM degrees are provided in an earlier section  of this catalog.

Bachelor of Science in Business Management

MSOE’s business management program was established with the understanding that business is driven by rapidly changing technology. Since computers are the most important tools in business, MSOE’s business management curricula is centered around the latest technological developments in computers.

MSOE’s Rader School of Business offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management to complement an engineering degree through MSOE’s double-major program. By taking business management courses concurrently with engineering courses, students learn how to apply their technical skills to real-world business and financial situations.

Approximately 15 courses in business management are taken concurrently with a student’s chosen engineering curriculum to give the student two degrees in five years. Some key classes in the program include the following:

business and government relations, e-business, organizational behavior, project management, employment law, economics, accounting, finance, marketing, international business, operations management, management policies and business communications.

When registering for a double-major program in engineering and business management, students should see the chairman of the Rader School of Business.

Freshman-to-Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering

One of the truly unique features of MSOE’s civil engineering (CVE) program is that graduates can receive both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in five years. It has been designed to meet the new Body of Knowledge for the 21^st Century requirements developed by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). At MSOE, civil engineering course work provides a broad-based education touching on each of the traditional areas within the civil engineering field. Students will then gain in-depth proficiency and design skills in one of these three areas: structural engineering, environmental engineering or water resources engineering. For more information about the civil program, see “Civil Engineering Freshman-to-Master’s Degree ”.

Bachelor of Science in Technical Communication

MSOE’s technical communication program produces graduates who are able to communicate technical knowledge effectively to others. There is a growing need for technical communicators, since we live in an era of technological change.

With MSOE’s double-major program, the engineer or business specialist is trained to communicate facts about technical devices and operations to the public, consumers, employers and co-workers in other areas of specialty. Since courses in engineering and communication are taken simultaneously, students may enjoy hands-on laboratory work in one class and write about that experience in the next class. These are vital skills for the engineer or business specialist in today’s rapidly changing technological frontier.

Approximately 19 courses in technical communication are taken concurrently with a student’s chosen engineering or business curriculum for this option of the double-major program. Some key classes in the technical communication program include the following:

report and proposal writing, desktop publishing, mass communication, writing and editing for publication, visual design techniques, research methods, speech, persuasive speech, professional presentation skills, human communication, group discussion, intercultural communication, interpersonal communication, organizational communication, marketing communication and student internship

The number of required technical communication courses in a double-major program varies with the engineering or business program selected. A course schedule can be designed for students upon commitment to the program.

When preregistering for a double-major program that includes technical communication, students should meet with the program director for technical communication.

Master of Science in Structural Engineering

This program emphasizes building structural design and analysis, and meets the needs of students who desire increased knowledge to design modern building structural systems.

Courses focus on structural design topics such as advanced design of structural steel members and systems. Courses on advanced structural analysis are also presented to provide a broader theoretical background for structural design. Students with an appropriate undergraduate degree can complete the program in five years on a part-time basis or as little as two years on a full-time basis. (See the MSOE Graduate Catalog for more information.)

The dual-degree program allows a student to obtain a bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering and a master’s degree in structural engineering in five years. The dual-degree program follows the first three years of the undergraduate curriculum for the Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering degree (structural specialty), and then mixes undergraduate and graduate courses during the fourth and fifth years. Upon completion of the fifth year, the bachelor’s and master’s degrees are awarded simultaneously.

An alternative program allows a student to replace select undergraduate level courses with graduate level courses during the fourth year of the Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering program (structural specialty). Upon completion of the bachelor’s degree, the student can return and complete the Master of Science in Structural Engineering program in one additional year on a full-time basis, or take up to four years to complete the graduate program on a part-time basis.

Interested students should meet with the Master of Science in Structural Engineering program director during their sophomore and junior years for further explanation of their options. Students apply to the dual-degree program at the beginning of the Spring Quarter in their junior year.