ODU Offers New Doctorate In Engineering

Old Dominion University will offer classes leading to a new practice-oriented doctoral degree in engineering, the first of its kind in Virginia, at the start of the fall 2008 semester. The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia approved the program during its meeting at Longwood University on March 12.

The new degree program is aimed not at attracting teachers or researchers, but rather meeting the educational needs of practicing engineers who are seeking terminal degrees to prepare themselves for high-level engineering and leadership positions.

"This program is designed for practicing engineers to gain further depth of knowledge and discipline with broader management skills for leadership positions," said Oktay Baysal, dean of the Batten College of Engineering and Technology. "It is in line with the recommendations of the National Academies for the American competitiveness initiative."

During the approval process, ODU officials said growing global demand for such expertise, and a future potential of shortages in the United States, spurred the proposed program.

The degree requires a minimum of 48 credit hours of coursework beyond the graduate level. Specialization is available in four areas: aerospace engineering, civil and environmental engineering, engineering management and systems engineering, and mechanical engineering.

The eligibility requirements for regular admission to the new Doctor of Engineering program are: a minimum two years of engineering experience within the last five years and a master's degree with a 3.5 or higher grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) in an appropriate field from an accredited institution of higher education.

The new program increases to 37 the number of doctoral programs offered at Old Dominion.