28 June, 2020

A master’s degree in an engineering field typically requires two years of full-time study to complete. For working professionals, pursuing a degree on a part-time basis could take three to five years before graduation. Finding the fastest engineering degree without compromising the quality of their education is a top priority for many prospective students.
fast engineering master's degree
Fortunately, there are world-class online graduate programs designed specifically for busy individuals who want to advance into leadership positions at technical organizations. George Washington University offers online Master of Science degrees in both engineering management and systems engineering as well as in electrical engineering that can be completed in less than three years. Follow these tips to efficiently progress through your graduate program while developing advanced engineering skills and the strategic approaches you need to take charge of multidisciplinary teams.

1. Fit Courses into Your Schedule

Reducing your time-to-completion starts with getting to know your program’s curriculum and making scheduling decisions. It’s vital to both keep your load of courses manageable and steadily progress toward your long-term objectives. Work with an academic advisor to ensure you’re on the right track to finish all your classes in a timely fashion while learning the concepts that are most relevant to your engineering career.

In GW’s online engineering programs, the school year is split into four 10-week sessions and an optional five-week summer session. Most students take one class at a time, allowing them to focus on the relevant subject matter and balance their other responsibilities. However, if your priority is a fast track engineering degree, you can talk with an academic advisor about completing two classes per session.

2. Strategically Manage Your Time

Time management skills are crucial for both engineering leaders and graduate students. In either role, maintaining a detailed planner and allowing a little flexibility to adapt to changing situations will lead to better outcomes. By finding out as much as you can about each new task before committing to meet a deadline and working efficiently with team members, you can avoid being overwhelmed.

As a student working toward a systems engineering, electrical engineering or engineering management online master’s degree, you’ll be expected to log on for one live session per week for each course you’re enrolled in. These classes are held in the evening, making it easy for many full-time professionals to plan their days accordingly. Anticipate devoting an additional six hours per week to studying, completing assignments and collaborating on group projects.

3. Take Advantage of Online Student Services and Resources

Learning the latest approaches to solve complex problems and manage technical projects while also working can be tough. To complete an online M.S. in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Engineering Management on schedule, you’ll need to overcome a variety of challenges. But you don’t have to do it all alone.

In a top engineering program, you’ll find there’s a great deal of help available to ensure you stay on the path to graduation. Your instructors and peers are crucial resources, and you should also familiarize yourself with the services that are available online. GW students can access:

  • Division of Information Technology, providing support for email, calendars, online collaboration tools and more
  • The Gelman Library, including an option to have items sent to their home
  • GWiz knowledge base featuring helpful information about technology and IT services
  • Writing Center sessions with consultants who offer feedback on projects through videoconferencing and document-sharing

It takes careful planning and commitment to finish the quickest engineering degree possible while building the skills you need to excel in the workplace. The first step could be applying to an electrical engineering, systems engineering or engineering management online degree program. A flexible program with no requirement to visit campus will allow you to meet the demands of a busy professional life while still completing your master’s in less than three years.

About GW’s Online Master’s Degrees in Engineering

George Washington University offers a comprehensive selection of online master’s in engineering programs. The programs are designed with the same curriculum as the on-campus degrees and with a focus on positioning graduates for career advancement. GW offers the following programs in a 100% online format:

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To learn more about GW’s online Master of Science in engineering programs and download a free brochure, fill out the fields below. If you have any additional questions, please call (877) 221-9868 to speak to an admissions counselor.

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