The University of Wisconsin is made up of various campuses and institutions that are committed to quality educational programs which prepare students for lifelong learning, success at work and community leadership. The university's vast network of academic resources offers students exclusive learning opportunities and advantages. The University of Wisconsin is dedicated to teaching excellence through the development of effective teaching methods and through fostering scholarly activities and research. The University of Wisconsin collaborates with business, industry and the general public to provide hands-on learning opportunities and community support.
During the 1950's, various local colleges, counties and municipalities in Wisconsin worked together to create an academic network and educational partnership. The University of Wisconsin consists of 13 regional campuses and UW Colleges Online. Approximately 2,400 students are enrolled in UW Colleges Online every semester. Many internal courses are delivered via the Internet to local campuses in order to expand available coursework to students statewide. Over 30 percent UW Colleges students are 22 or older and almost 40 percent are part-time students. Around 3,900 new freshmen enroll in one of the campuses every semester.
University of Wisconsin Accreditation Details
The University of Wisconsin is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Online science and engineering master degrees follow the academic standards set by the bachelor-level degrees that are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
University of Wisconsin Application Requirements
Online graduate science and engineering students will need a four-year degree from an ABET accredited program. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.00 for the last two years of work. Students with a 3.0 GPA or below may be admitted into the program on a probationary status. Those who do not have a bachelor's degree from an ABET accredited program may qualify for admission if they have a four-year degree in science or technology with ample coursework and professional experience in engineering practices. Applicants to the Polymers and Controls programs must submit GRE scores.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The engineering management and mechanical engineering in controls programs costs $1,600 per credit hour and must be paid at the beginning of each semester. The manufacturing systems engineering degree is billed at $1,300 per credit hour. These fees include technology costs for online course delivery and live web conferencing. The total tuition for these programs, which is often 30 total credits, costs $48,000. Online students do not have to pay the $8,800 for lodging, but they may pay up to $1,200 for books and supplies. Certain coursework is delivered free of charge to online students.
Unlike other universities, applicants do not automatically qualify for internal scholarships through the FAFSA. Instead, applicants must apply online for school scholarships through the university's website. After students submit their FAFSA, they are considered for standard financial aid packages. For example, there are state and federal grants that are free financial awards based on financial need. Because these funds are limited, they tend to be only offered to undergraduate students working towards their first degree. There are standard federal loans that are not based on financial need. Each one has specific terms regarding interest rates, borrowing limits and repayment deadlines. Parent PLUS loans and the Federal Work-Study program are available to graduate students.
Online Degrees Available
Online graduate degrees generally take two to five years to complete. Summer residencies are required for the engine systems and engineering management programs. All other programs offer optional residencies. The online electrical engineering (power) and mechanical engineering (controls) come with an on-campus summer lab requirement. All online engineering degrees are taught by nationally and internationally renowned professors. There are dedicated technical and administrative support staff who are available within 24 hours of contact. Online engineering students primarily interact with their instructors and classmates through online forums and live web conferences.
The mechanical engineering in controls degree prepares graduates to enter careers related to sensor integration and drive and converter control. The program offers coursework in electrical, computer and mechanical engineering. Students learn about advanced controls, robotics, machine processes and experimental mechanics. Students complete a Master's thesis or perform research on topics like the dynamics of controlled systems or physics-based computer modeling. Mechanical engineering students are assigned a series of challenging activities and assignments that stimulate intellectual development. They allow students to make meaningful connections between engineering control theories and real-world practices.
The online master's in engineering management is designed for practicing engineers who want to advance their career, or mid-career engineers who want an industry equivalent of an MBA. All students will learn new business strategies and strengthen their skills in order to take the next step in their careers. This program revolves around how to effectively lead projects and organizations. Faculty uses real-world projects to teach students how to apply project management strategies and quality improvement methods as well as analyze local engineering issues and global communication strategies. The curriculum includes classes on engineering statistics, economic analysis, problem solving and operational management.
The manufacturing systems engineering program endows graduates with the knowledge needed to confidently direct and improve organizational manufacturing processes. Students learn advanced tools and techniques for manufacturing, leadership, data analytics and supply chain optimization. Students learn how to apply standard tools to analyze and solve real world problems in various manufacturing settings. For example, students may learn how to critically evaluate data collection processes, project management trends and quality manufacturing programs. If the student learns about the last subject, they may be asked to complete a quality management project that compares how different programs, such as TQM and Lean, may improve productivity standardization.
Related Resource: 30 Most Affordable Top Online Master's in Engineering Degree Programs
There are also graduate certificates, such as in laser welding, lean operations and disaster management, and professional development programs, such as in energy, facilities, infrastructure and Environment, as available. The University of Wisconsin also offer online masters of engineering degrees in applied computing, technical Japanese and sustainable systems.