ODU to offer engineering doctorate in the Fall

This fall Old Dominion University will be offering its first doctorate program in engineering. The program is geared toward practicing engineers who want to increase their knowledge and become leaders and managers in their field.

The doctorate in engineering was approved for ODU on March 11 by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia during a meeting at Longwood University. The four areas in engineering that will be offered are aerospace engineering, civil and environmental engineering, engineering management and systems engineering, and mechanical engineering.

"This program is for already working professionals," said Scott Lowe, University Relations specialist. "This is meant to augment an engineer's career." The engineering doctorate will require 48 credits beyond a graduate level. To enter the program, a student must have a minimum of two years engineering experience within the past five years. Prospective students must also have a master's degree in an appropriate field with a minimum 3.5 grade point average. For more information on program requirements please visit: www.eng.odu.edu/eng/academics/drofeng.shtml

ODU already has a doctor of philosophy in engineering degree which grants approximately 25 graduates per year. Dr. Oktay Baysal, the engineering dean, said an engineering Ph.D. is designed "for educators and researchers; the doctorate is for practitioners." Despite this, "70 percent of those with engineering Ph.D.s are employed outside of academics and working in the industry."

Baysal said the number of engineering Ph.D.s has increased to 8,000 per year. Universities are recognizing the need for a doctorate in practice-oriented engineering. The University of Virginia and Virginia Tech are also trying to approve similar programs.

The Doctorate in Engineering is an "alternative path" to the Ph.D., and it will give engineers "management and leadership skills to move up," Baysal said. Focus areas of the program would be project management, ethics, leadership and financial engineering.
 
The engineering doctorate is designed to be hands-on. The American Competiveness Initiative grants billions of dollars yearly to research, development and education in technology. This funding allows for ODU's new doctorate to be "industry initiated," Baysal said. The collaboration between schools and industry gives students experience in the field.
 
Andrea Lother received a Bachelor's degree in engineering technology from ODU in 1989. Lother said she finds age to be a motive for achieving an advanced degree in engineering. "In today's economy, you never know when you might be back to square one, all the more reason to keep up with things the older you get," she said. Lother called the new ODU degree "a great incentive for engineers to continue the learning process."

ODU, already renowned for its engineering program, will be one step ahead of the education competition this fall. The next closest place for such a degree would be in Michigan, Texas or Missouri. Baysal said the engineering doctorate "makes us unique for the mid-Atlantic."

Compiled from article by John Baldwin for Mace and Crown