Degree Option—With Engineering Practice
The College of Engineering offers an engineering practice degree option to students in all of its master’s programs. Engineering practice is a valuable opportunity for master’s-level students to complete workplace-based experiences of 6–8 months’ duration, thereby allowing them to develop additional technical and professional skills. Students interested in the engineering practice degree option must apply and meet the requirements outlined below. Students successfully completing the engineering practice degree option of their program will earn the accompanying degree designation (e.g., Master of Science in Electrical Engineering with Engineering Practice).
Work experience used to complete the degree requirements of the engineering practice degree option must be relevant to the student’s program of study and must be approved at the program level. Work experience can be gained in one of three ways:
- one full-time paid internship (minimum 20+ hours/week for at least 24 weeks);
- two full-time paid internships (minimum 20+ hours/week for at least 12 weeks); or
- one full-time paid internship (minimum 20+ hours/week for at least 24 weeks) and two part-time paid internships (each <20 hours/week for at least 12 weeks)
A minimum of one term of full-time study as a master’s student is required. Registration is required in ENG EK 697 (part time) or ENG EK 698 (full time), both pass/fail and zero units. Satisfactory completion of the requirement is determined by the program and then formally recorded by the Graduate Programs office.
For International Students
International students must have completed two terms in full-time status to be eligible to begin an internship in the United States, and they must complete additional paperwork with the BU International Students & Scholars office (ISSO) after registration to receive Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization. International students considering an engineering practice degree program are urged to consult with ISSO as early as possible to review all requirements and implications.
