NJIT’s History and The Online Masters of Science in Electrical Engineering

For over 100 years, the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) has offered engineering degrees.  Recently, NJIT has released their Masters of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE) online to expand the reach of their engineering legacy.

Over the last few years, NJIT designed the MSEE program with the input of corporate partners to give engineers leadership and technical skills that industry needs.

Prof. Durga Misra, Associate Chair of Graduate Program, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

““I was convinced that the way things have changed in the world we must bring our MSEE program online. We have a world class faculty in communications and control systems. We also have a lot of experts in power energy systems. These specialists are collaborating with industry experts from AT&T, Verizon, Alcatel-Lucent, PSE&G and more. With the skills students gain, typically all are employed upon graduation,” said Prof. Durga Misra, Associate Chair of Graduate Program, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

He added, “We want to train students in a way to prepare them in the advanced jobs they will see in industry. It is hard to get into an advanced hardware or communications position in a major corporation with a bachelor’s degree. But with a Masters, you get a big jump in skill level needed for these corporations.”

NJIT’s Curriculum for the online Masters of Science in Electrical Engineering

The online Masters of Science in Electrical Engineering at NJIT gives students the ability to choose between three specialties: Communications, Signal Processing & Microwave; Power and Energy Systems and Mechatronics.

“With the specializations, students get more knowledge in the field they are interested in,” clarified Prof. Misra.

He added, “Every students must take the 2 core courses whether on-line or on campus.” Students also have to take two courses in professional development and then six courses dedicated to their specialization. Unfortunately, the online program typically does not have any additional elective choices.

Misra explained, “Some courses were a challenge to bring online. But we have been very successful with the courses that are available online. It’s exciting; many professors are even looking at making online/on-campus hybrid classes.”

However, online and on-campus students can add a capstone project to their program. The project will replace one traditional course. This is a great method to get any specialized training you might need for your career.

“One time, an on-campus student got a job in California before completing the MCEE degree,” said Prof Misra. “All the student had left was the capstone project. So from a distance she was able to complete the masters and even publish a paper. It was a very successful project.”

On-campus students, however, will be able to experience more variety with respect to course selection and specializations. On-campus, the Power & Energy Systems and Mechatronics specializations are merged onto one specialization called Intelligent Systems. In addition to the Intelligent Systems specialization, on-campus students can also take specializations in Computer Networking, Computer Architecture, and Electronics & Photonic Devices.

Finally, if students wish to complete a thesis to round off their MSEE, this option is also only available on-campus. The thesis will be able to replace two courses in their curriculum.

Who is taking an online Masters in Electrical Engineering at NJIT?

Professor Misra stresses that students should be well prepared for the online MSEE at NJIT. It is a very tough masters to complete.

“When you start classes you better be prepared. Experience in the industry is not the same as taking a class. Refresh your mathematics, electrical engineering concepts, and training,” warned Prof. Misra. “Refresher undergraduate courses are a must. The masters courses are too fast paced to allow for catch-up if you get lost.”

To this point, Prof. Misra suggests that students take a bachelors in electrical engineering before taking the masters at NJIT. He said, “We designed the program for electrical engineering graduates. Many with a bachelors in a different field, even those working in the electrical engineering industry, can have some difficulty with the content.”

 “However,” he added, “we do offer undergraduate level courses for students that do not have an electrical engineering undergraduate degree. If they can assimilate this content then the student should have no trouble with the masters.”

In that case, students from non-electrical engineering backgrounds may want to get their feet wet with these undergraduate courses before committing to the full masters. Additionally, these courses are good for electrical engineering graduates that may have some gaps in their undergrad. Typically, this happens if the student completed their undergrad many years ago or their school focused on electrical engineering concepts that were important locally.

In either case, students can contact an NJIT enrollment coach. These coaches will typically be able to tell you if you will be a good fit for the masters based on your academic and professional background. They should be able to tell you if you should refresh yourself with an undergraduate course or if personal preparation will be enough.

Benefits of taking a Masters in Electrical Engineering Online

Students access online material through the school’s Moodle on-line platform. The content typically consists of video recordings of lectures, PowerPoints, PDF, and discussions. Students are able to assimilate the content asynchronously as their professional schedule permits. Students also submit their course work through the Moodle platform.

“Working asynchronously is a benefit for working professionals,” mentioned Prof. Misra. “In fact, many local students will prefer online for this reason. However, online will have a difference in learning perspectives and methods.”

Unfortunately, this asynchronous online format isn’t for everyone. Professor Misra pointed out that the online masters is just as difficult as on-campus. It will represent a significant time commitment that can be difficult if you don’t have the discipline.

He said, “If studying online you must commit the time. It won’t be easy. If you want to learn electrical engineering, schedule the time or it will become very stressful. Though many online students are working professionals, this commitment is something they must take into consideration.”

Online students can submit questions through an online discussion board or through email. On-campus questions, however, can be answered in real-time. Fortunately, these online discussions and emails do allow professors to build and better prepare for their video recordings.

To get that one-on-one interaction with professors, online students can contact their instructors using WebEx meetings and office hours.

Additionally, examinations may have that personal touch. At times, online students will be required to go to a local library or university where their exams can be proctored. This will give the students a more familiar setting for examinations and prevent the risk of computer glitches affecting your grade.

New Jersey Institute of Technology has sponsored this post. They have no editorial input to this post - all opinions are mine. Shawn Wasserman