Creation of a Structural Engineering Professional Master's Degree Program

Due to the complexity of contemporary practice, top-tier structural engineering firms hold the master’s degree as the minimum level of education for new hires. In addition, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) recommends a master’s degree or the equivalent of 30 credits beyond a bachelor’s degree as part of the minimum body of knowledge for licensed professional engineers. Finally, students whose end goal is a career in professional practice have indicated a preference for graduate programs focused on design knowledge essential for the advancement of structural engineering practice. These needs provided the opportunity for the creation of a new professional master’s program in structural engineering at Lehigh University. Launched in summer 2008, the program is led by a full-time professor of practice with industry design experience and guided by an executive advisory board, composed of representatives from all areas of the building design and construction profession. The hallmark of the 30-credit, 10-month program is a 9-credit, 3-course design project sequence in which student teams design a real-world structure from initial concept to final construction documents. An individual project assignment, as well as technical elective courses, allows students to tailor the program to their unique interests and career goals. A laboratory class provides hands-on learning of structural behavior. Interaction with industry leaders through seminars, field trips, and externships provides students ample opportunity to network with professionals and gain an understanding of their chosen industry. Assessments were conducted to determine the viability of the proposed program with respect to industry and students. Engineering firms were surveyed to provide feedback on the proposed program elements as well as to gage the potential job market for graduates. Undergraduate students were surveyed to determine interest in the program and to gather student feedback on key program elements. Goals of the program and key features were refined per the assessment results. This paper discusses the creation and execution of the structural engineering professional master’s program, including market research, goals and features, and student recruitment. Initial assessment results from graduates, employers, and advisors, evaluating the effectiveness of the program at preparing students for professional practice are presented.