Pursuing MS in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering with a BA in Economics

[Daexter]

Hello,

I’m currently seeking to pursue a master’s in mechanical/aerospace engineering at the Cal State Universities (notably CSULB and Cal Poly Pomona), but I received my bachelor’s in Economics with a 3.05 GPA. While working full-time for the last 2.5 years after graduation in an irrelevant field, I have also taken multi-variable calculus, linear-algebra, diff equations, and calculus-based physics series at a local community college and received mostly B’s and a few A’s. My recent GRE score is 155 verbal/165 quantitative. However, I have not taken any engineering courses. In applying to an engineering master’s program, how much does not having an engineering background affect my chance of admission? I rather not do a second bachelors due to the extra financial cost of having to take many more courses than required for a master’s program admission. I saw that CSU accepts applicants “conditionally”, requiring them to first remedy some deficiency courses. But is there a point where they just deny you for lacking too many prerequisite/deficiency courses? I’ve heard that masters programs are supposed to be money cows, but I’m still deeply concerned due to my special circumstance. Please advise.

[juillet]

I would think that at virtually all engineering MS programs, not having a background in engineering would be a dealbreaker.

And actually, Cal Poly Pomona says it right there on their page:

Admission requirements for the program are:

B.S. in Aerospace or Mechanical engineering from an ABET accredited institution received within the last 5 years.
GPA in upper-division undergraduate courses in Math, Science and Engineering needs be ~3.0 or higher.
If B.S. received from non-ABET institution or prior to 5 years ago or lower GPA than ~3.0, but higher than ~2.85, then GRE test score (quantitative + verbal) of at least 301 is required.

And for mechanical:

Successful applicants will be admitted to the program either unconditionally or with conditions imposed on them. To receive unconditional admission, an applicant must satisfy these criteria:

The applicant must hold a baccalaureate degree in Mechanical Engineering from a program that has been accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) and for which the accreditation was in effect at the time of award of the degree. The degree must have been granted within five years prior to the proposed beginning of the graduate program.

Conditional admission is usually for otherwise really outstanding students who just need to make up a few courses that they can complete in 1-2 semesters’ time AND the university is confident that they can successfully complete those classes. Think, for example, of a candidate with a bachelor’s in physics who worked in an engineering-adjacent role for 2-3 years after college and has taken some engineering courses; maybe they need 2-3 more prerequisites.

In addition to having an unrelated undergrad degree, you took your math prerequisites at a community college, not a four-year school, and you have mostly Bs in them. That doesn’t make you super competitive for an engineering master’s program.

What is your goal? You don’t need a master’s degree if you want to work as an engineer, and honestly the number of prerequisites you need for an engineering master’s will basically be equivalent to a second BS anyway.

[Daexter]

Thanks for the insightful answer!

I want to work in industry, and I know that I only need a bachelor’s. But having worked in another professional job for the last few years, I found that having a higher degree tends to lead to a higher pay and/or position. I assume it is the same in engineering, so I figured I might as well go for it while I’m still young and motivated. Getting a 2nd bachelor’s will require 2 years of education. However, according to USC’s list of deficiency courses for their aerospace MS (sorry, it’s the only list I can find), I am short 7 courses required for graduate admission, which I can complete in 2-3 semesters.

The USC document also mentions the possibility of “other non-engineering or liberal arts majors” gaining acceptance, though very slim. I guess I was just curious whether the Cal State Universities’ standards are more flexible than USC’s and would like to hear any similar experience.

In worst case scenario, I plan to take those deficiency courses at CSULB Open University (extension program) to improve my GPA. Your input is greatly appreciated!