News Story

Online Master's Programs Help You Do More and Go Further

As a graduate of the Clark School, your engineering skills are first-rate. But did you know that a publication by the National Academy of Engineering states that the half-life of an engineer’s technical skill can be as little as 2.5 years. With that in mind, think about where you are in your career and know that employers are always looking for more. They’re promoting engineers who have great project management skills and who can deliver on multiple projects. They are looking for technical professionals with the latest knowledge, skills, and abilities and the credentials of a world-class engineering school to develop the next innovation.

The Clark School can provide you with the knowledge and tools to move your career forward, but you don’t have to be in College Park anymore to take advantage of our top-ranked programs. Through our Office of Advanced Engineering Education you can complete a Professional Master of Engineering (ENPM) or a highly specialized Graduate Certificate in Engineering (GCEN) program from anywhere in the world. Online programs are available in Project Management, Fire Protection Engineering, Energetic Concepts, and Reliability Engineering. Ten other academic options are available via distance education at regional education sites if you live in Maryland or the DC Metro area.

Engaged in distance education for many years, online delivery is the latest option offered by the Clark School to provide outstanding opportunities to the engineering community. Online student Kathy Kinney, ENPM fire protection engineering candidate, is a full-time facility engineer for nonreactor nuclear facilities at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. She has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in civil engineering with a concentration in structures. However, to be more valuable in her job she needed training and experience in fire protection, especially after 9/11.

“I was looking to combine my abilities into a unique skill-set to stay on top of the physical conditions in a facility,” she states. “The Clark School’s online program had a recognized national reputation in fire protection by individuals outside of the fire protection field. Considering that I don’t have to go to class 2-3 times a week, I think it’s an ideal way to get your advanced degree…plus, you have the credentials and reputation of a nationally ranked university behind you to insure you are getting a quality product and you and your employer know it’s not an on-line degree mill.”

If you would like to learn more about our professional graduate programs and online offerings please contact Paul A. Easterling, associate director of the Office of Advanced Engineering Education (301-405-0362 or email peaster@umd.edu).

December 9, 2005