In recent years, the field of engineering education has evolved into its own emerging discipline that currently exists in parallel with more traditional engineering disciplines, such as mechanical, civil, electrical, and biological engineering. Engineering education research includes educational, pedagogical, and/or socio-behavioral research in the context of engineering. For example, an engineering education research project may focus on understanding how undergraduates learn engineering concepts or how to improve the teaching of specific engineering topics. Engineering education research often involves humans as the focal point, rather than non-humans typically involved in engineering research (such as mechanical and electrical devices, computer algorithms, physical structures, and chemical interactions).
The Department of Engineering Education in the College of Engineering at Utah State University offers both a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Engineering Education program (established in 2009) and a Master of Science (M.S.) in Engineering Education program (established in 2021). Both programs prepare students to be engineering instructors, engineering education researchers and specialists with solid knowledge and skills in designing and assessing engineering curriculum and engineering knowledge, implementing evidence-based instructional approaches in student-centered engineering learning environments, identifying and synthesizing relevant theories to frame the research problem, applying appropriate and creative research methods to studies in engineering education.
In addition, our Ph.D. program will develop students’ knowledge in engineering education foundations and the role of cognition in engineering education, and will train students to develop competitive grant proposals for improving engineering education.
What benefits will you receive?
- Competitive Graduate Research Assistantship
- Tuition waivers and 80% health insurance (for eligible graduate students)
- Intensive faculty-student mentoring and student-student interactions
- Opportunity to earn a Ph.D. in Engineering Education within 3-4 years (for those who have earned a Master’s degree prior to application)
- All of our graduates are currently employed
Potential job markets after graduation
- University or college faculty member
- University or college administrator
- Education or training specialist in government and non-profit organizations
- Education data specialist in government and non-profit organizations
- Educational hardware/software developer and specialist in education industry (companies)
Masters’ students can also pursue a Ph.D. study in engineering education or engineering, or apply for faculty positions in K-12 schools with alternative teaching license.
Admission requirements
We are looking for college students, instructors, and engineers who have interest in engineering education research and teaching. You can apply for admission for the coming semester. To qualify for our programs, you must have the following prerequisites:
- Bachelor’s degree in an engineering, engineering technology, or computer science discipline.
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale) or equivalent on the last 60 semester credit hours or 90 quarter credit hours of college instruction.
- TOEFL or IELTS scores: The requirement for submission of TOEFL or IELTS scores is waived if you are the citizens of the U.S.A., Canada (except Quebec), United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia; or if you have attained a university where English is the sole language of instruction, please submit an official letter from your institution to school@usu.edu. This will count in place of the language proficiency exam requirement. For details, see https://gradschool.usu.edu/admissions-policies/.
For applying for a Ph.D. study, applicants are expected to have earned a Master’s degree, which can be in any discipline. The requirement for submission of GRE scores is waived for all Ph.D. and M.S. applications. Prior teaching experience and publications are preferred, but not required.
Admission deadlines
The Department of Engineering Education admits and funds selected students on a rolling basis. Applicants can submit their applications anytime. They are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible, typically 3-4 months before spring or fall semester starts. International students are encouraged to apply much earlier to allow sufficient time for visa applications.
How to submit your application
Applicants must complete the online application at https://gradschool.usu.edu/apply, which includes:
- Online application form
- Official transcript of bachelor’s courses
- Official transcript of Master’s courses (if applicable)
- Names and e-mail addresses of three professional references who will be contacted by the USU Graduate School after the online application form is submitted
- Resume or curriculum vitae (i.e., detailed form of resume) highlighting your relevant qualifications and achievements, and
- Typed, single-space written response to each of the following prompts (1-2 pages for each prompt).
1) Background: How does your background (work, study and life experiences) prepare and inspire you to pursue a graduate degree? Why are you passionate about engineering education?
2) Career Goals: What are your career goals? How will a graduate degree further those goals? What do you know about engineering education practices and/or engineering education research?
3) Why USU: Why is USU the place for you to pursue your EED graduate program? How are your interests aligned with the research conducted within EED? Which professors would you like to work with and why?
International students may or may not need to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores, see the admission requirements described in the previous section. GRE is not required for all Ph.D. and M.S. applications.
Contact
Detailed information about the USU Department of Engineering Education and our Ph.D. and M.S. programs can be found at https://engineering.usu.edu/eed. For inquires, call 435-797-7467 or email at eedinfo@usu.edu. You are also welcome to contact individual faculty members listed on https://engineering.usu.edu/eed/people/faculty/index.
