Master of Engineering (M.Eng.)
The Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) program offers a practice-oriented education that prepares graduates for real-world engineering challenges. Courses are offered through a variety of forms, and the program can be completed either residentially (on-campus) or via distance learning. There are two unique features that differentiate this program from other similar programs in the U.S. First, the degree can be completed entirely by distance using distance-delivered courses and the traditional residency requirements do not apply. Alternatively, the program can be completed in a traditional manner by taking on-campus courses. Second, to facilitate meeting the needs of students, we collaborate with Arizona State University and the University of Arizona in offering courses. This collaboration allows students to take advantage of course offerings at any of the three universities, with minimum or no transfer limitations and in any combination of delivery formats such as on-campus and web courses.
Currently at NAU, we offer the following academic emphases for residential (on-campus) students:
- Electrical Engineering (through Electrical Engineering Department)
- Environmental Engineering (through Civil and Environmental Engineering Department)
- Mechanical Engineering (through Mechanical Engineering Department)
- Water Resources Engineering (through Civil and Environmental Engineering Department)
For more specific information about the above areas, please consult the web pages of the individual departments.
In addition, we offer at NAU the following emphases specifically designed for distance students, by taking advantage of distance-delivered courses through the three partner universities:
- Construction Engineering Management
- Technical Engineering Management
You can visit the Master of Engineering Partnership webpage at www.oneflexibledegree.com for more information about these distance-delivered areas and also about additional areas offered by the other two partnering universities.
In taking advantage of our residential or distance-delivered programs, first you select a home university: Northern Arizona University, The University of Arizona, or Arizona State University. Then you plan your course of study to take advantage of the best that each university offers in your area of study. You must complete at least 10 credit hours of coursework and select your advisory committee from your home university.
Please note the following general policies that apply to all Master of Engineering students:
- The Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) requires the completion of 30 hours of coursework.
- At least half of the coursework, not including the practice-oriented project, must be in engineering. This minimum may be higher in some academic emphases.
- A thesis is not required; however, a practice-oriented project of up to 6 hours is optional in some emphases.
- Within the total of 30 units, you must complete a minimum of 3 units in applied engineering mathematics, as well as 3 units of engineering management or business.
- You must take at least 10 units of coursework from your home institution.
- Prior to graduation, you must satisfy the requirements of a capstone event, which is developed and administered by your advisory committee.
Also, note the following policies that apply to all students who choose NAU as their home institution:
- The Graduate College at NAU requires at least 24 hours of formal coursework—that is, courses other than individualized courses such as independent study, research and master's project.
- You may apply up two 400-level courses toward your degree (8 credit hours maximum).
- A limit of 25% of your coursework (a maximum of 7.5 hours) may be transferred from accredited institutions outside Arizona, provided the grade is "A" or "B". You will need to fill-in a petition to transfer form and ask for the signature of the chair of your advisory committee.
- You are responsible for choosing the chair and members of your advisory committee by the time you complete 9 units of coursework. Also, no later than the first month of the semester in which the 10th credit unit is taken, you must submit a program of study (POS) listing all coursework intended to satisfy the M. Eng. degree requirements. Note that the POS is subject to the approval of your advisory committee and the Graduate Programs Director at NAU.
- Additional requirements for each of the program emphases are described on the specific departmental pages. Each academic emphasis has specific course requirements in addition to the general program requirements described above.
If you are interested in distance courses, check the Arizona Master of Engineering web site at www.oneflexibledegree.com for detailed information on curricular tracks and distance courses available. Please note that when you take distance-delivered courses, a fee of $402 per credit hour is charged for graduate level courses in engineering. This fee is in addition to regular tuition and fees and is the same at any of the three partnering universities. For example, a typical 3-credit-hour, distance-delivered course will be charged an additional fee of $1,206.
