FAQs
The Master of Science in Engineering program is a general, interdisciplinary engineering M.S. program. Courses are available from multiple engineering departments. For the full list vist the Courses & Schedule page. Students take classes from core areas such as management, math, technical communications and computing, as well as nine hours of classes from a chosen engineering emphasis. Students with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering may be interested in the online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree, with an emphasis in electric power or control systems. For additional information email mse@uark.edu.
The MSE program has been well ranked among online graduate engineering programs at public, doctoral granting institutions by U.S. News & World Report since the inception of the survey. In addition to overall rankings, the program ranks well for veterans searching for an online graduate engineering program.
- A Bachelor of Science in Engineering from a program accredited by Engineering Accreditation
Commission of ABET,
OR
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from a program accredited by Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.
AND - A grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better (A=4.0) on all coursework taken prior
to receipt of the first bachelor degree,
OR
A GPA of 3.0 or better on the last 60 hours of coursework taken prior to receipt of the first bachelor degree.
Applicants who have a bachelor of science in engineering from an engineering program accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET or a bachelor of science in computer science accredited by the Computing Commission of ABET with a GPA between 2.50 and 2.99 on all course work taken prior to receipt of the bachelor degree, and have been practicing professionally for a minimum of three years, may be conditionally admitted. To remove the conditional status and move to regular standing, a student must earn a "B" or better on the first nine hours of program course work, and meet any other conditions specified by the student advisory committee. Management classes are not permitted for the first nine credit hours, or three classes.
No, unfortunately, an engineering technology degree or bachelor of arts in computer science will not meet admission requirements for the MSE program. However, the College of Engineering offers two other programs that do not require an engineering or computer science background. The Industrial Engineering department offers a Master of Science in Operations Management (MSOM) and the Civil Engineering department offers a Master of Science in Construction Management (MSCM).
A total of 30 hours are required to receive the MSE A student has two basic options to meet the 30 hour requirement: a program option or a course work option.
Program option: Student must present a minimum of 24 hours (eight 3-hour courses) of approved graduate coursework as specified AND a maximum of 6 hours (two 3-hour courses) of GNEG 590V Special Topics courses for a total of at least 30 hours. Project requirements require both a Project Proposal Report and Final Project Report.
Coursework Option: Student must present a minimum of 30 hours (ten 3-hour courses)
of approved graduate coursework as specified.
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One 3-hour course from each of the following four areas for a total of 12 hours: Mathematics, Computer Applications, Technical Communications, and Engineering Management; and
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Three 3-hour engineering courses that form a cohesive topic or area of emphasis with the approval of the advisory committee, and
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Nine additional online graduate-level hours from any area with the approval of the advisory committee.
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A minimum of 60% of the course work must be graduate level engineering, non-operations management (OMGT), classes. EMGT 5033 Introduction to Engineering Management is included in this count of management classes.
Yes. All students will be added to a short orientation course in the learning management system, Blackboard, after admission to the program. Students will be required to complete the short course prior to enrollment in their first class. There is no charge for this short course, but students will have access to the important information until graduation.
No, one course cannot meet multiple requirements. For instance, the same course cannot meet both the mathematics and computer applications requirements. There must be ten different courses, each meeting one requirement.
Courses are delivered via the Internet using Blackboard, an educational delivery platform. Exams for some classes are also taken online, using Blackboard, whereas others require the student to obtain the services of a local proctor. This short video series will help you get started using the Blackboard LMS.
Students cannot self-enroll in classes using the student information system, UA Connect. Each semester, students are sent a registration form and will be added to the classes by MSE staff.
Tuition and fees will be charged at the following rates:
Tuition: $303.88/credit hour
Distance Technology Fee: $50/credit hour
Enrollment Fee: $30/credit hour
A three-hour course would be a total of $1,151.64.
Log into your Student Center in UAConnect. Under the Finances section, you will see Account Inquiry under the heading My Account. From there, click on Charges Due to see due dates associated with specific 8-week sessions.
Since classes are delivered through the Internet, students do not have to be physically present on campus to take a course. Though it is preferable to take the comprehensive oral exam on-site, if needed, it can be taken via a video conference instead.
A proctor is someone who administers an exam on behalf of the instructor, ensuring that the registered student is the one taking the exam and that all procedures are adhered to. Proctoring of exams helps maintain the integrity of the program and program accreditation.
Every faculty member handles things a bit differently, but most of the engineering professors require that the student obtain the services of a live proctor. Suggestions for a live proctor include someone from the student's human resources office, a supervisor, a commanding officer, a librarian, or a pastor. Some students go to a testing service center at a local university or community college. Military bases usually have an education office that will provide proctoring services. A proctor may NOT be a friend, relative, or other person with an identifiable conflict of interest. Students will be emailed a blank proctor form after enrollment each session if they are in a class that requires a proctor.
If a proctor is required by the professor, once the proctor has been identified and signed the completed form, the form is sent to mse@uark.edu and the professor. The professor will send the exam directly to the proctor. The proctor will be responsible for making sure the student follows all rules sent along with the exam, as well as returning the completed exam to the professor. Rarely some proctoring facilities will only accept and return hard copies of the exam, whereas most will accept and return electronic versions. If the proctor will only work with hard copies, the student may have to provide return postage.
ProctorU is an online proctoring service that is used in the OMGT and EMGT classes for the mid-term and final exams taken through Blackboard. ProctorU requires the student make an appointment for each exam. A webcam and microphone are required. Once logged in to the ProctorU website, they’ll verify the student's credentials. After they verify it is the correct student, they have the student sweep the room with the web camera so they can verify the environment is suitable. They then enter the exam password into Blackboard and monitor the student while completing the exam.
No, a thesis is not required; it is not an option. Students can either take ten 3-hour courses, or eight 3-hour courses and two 3-hour GNEG 590V Special Topics courses with a project to meet requirements.
Yes, students must complete a comprehensive oral exam towards the end of their program; it is a Graduate School requirement. The comprehensive oral exam may be completed on-site or via video conference. Many students find it helpful to keep a copy of the syllabus for each class they took, as well as the textbooks, class notes, PowerPoint presentations, etc., to use as study aids for the comprehensive exam. Please visit the Comprehensive Exam information under Program Tools.
A GPA of 3.0 or better is required to earn the degree. Additionally, no more than two "C" grades are allowed; no credit will be received for courses with "D" or "F" grades, though they will be always be calculated into the GPA.
Students have up to six years to complete the program. A student may take up to two courses each session. However, it is very difficult to take two technical engineering courses in one 8-week session. Students should plan to take two years to complete degree requirements, taking one class per 8-week session.
Courses are offered in eight-week sessions, two sessions in each fall and each spring
semester, and one session in the summer.
Fall 8W1: August - October
Fall 8W2: October - December
Spring 8W1: January - March
Spring 8W2: March - May
Summer 8W1: May - July
Refunds will be given following the University 8-week session schedule, posted on the Registrar's website under academic dates; the full-term or semester classes follow a different schedule than the 8-week sessions so make sure to view those for the 8-week sessions. Generally speaking, a student will receive a 100% adjustment in tuition and fees if a class is dropped by the third class day in the 8-week session. The percentage of adjustment drops by 25% every three class days (not calendar days). Remember, dropping all classes is considered a withdrawal. For session specific dates, please visit the Registrar's Academic Semester Calendar or contact the MSE office at mse@uark.edu or 479-575-3669.