BS/MS Engineering Scholarship Extension

ARS14

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I am currently interested in programs at universities (Iowa State, Purdue) allowing for a BS/MS degree in mechanical engineering, where one with advanced academic standing can apply for grad school early, and start 500/600 classes during their 7th and 8th semesters in order to finish an MS in five years. To give context to my particular situation, I will have 47 college credits from AP and concurrent enrollment courses on graduation, and am planning on knocking out gen eds at a local extension college once confirmed as transferable at my future institution. First off, is it even feasible to be a highly active participant in AFROTC and complete a BS in engineering in four years without the technical major one year scholarship extension? And more importantly, would the Holm Center (or another scholarship controlling entity) be willing to invoke the technical major extension or another type of extension for the purposes of obtaining an MS? I have heard of a cadet at Purdue completing his MS in a concurrent engineering program before being commissioned, so it seems there are scenarios where the AF deems it reasonable/necessary for their future officers to have that sort of education. I also plan on discussing these questions during my next detachment visit. Thanks for all your help on this question.
 
Bumping this to see if anybody browsing the forum who hasn't seen this has any input. If not, thanks again for your consideration!
 
I was thinking of doing the same thing, but no, you can't use the fifth year to solely work on a masters, unless you work it so that you don't get your bachelors until then too (but you aren't supposed to do this, the fifth year is for if you need five years to get your bachelors). However, one of my friends (also in AFROTC) was able to pull off getting a BS and MS in 4 years, and graduated with both at the end. I'd still go talk to your det about it, but my cadre were pretty clear that you aren't supposed to do this because the AF only agrees to pay for your bachelors. My recommendation is to just go for the bachelors and if you finish early, take extra grad classes so when you go on AD, you can take a few more and be done with your MS fairly quickly. Although it really seems like the AF would get more bang for their buck if they did allow the scenario you describe.
 
I was thinking of doing the same thing, but no, you can't use the fifth year to solely work on a masters, unless you work it so that you don't get your bachelors until then too (but you aren't supposed to do this, the fifth year is for if you need five years to get your bachelors). However, one of my friends (also in AFROTC) was able to pull off getting a BS and MS in 4 years, and graduated with both at the end. I'd still go talk to your det about it, but my cadre were pretty clear that you aren't supposed to do this because the AF only agrees to pay for your bachelors. My recommendation is to just go for the bachelors and if you finish early, take extra grad classes so when you go on AD, you can take a few more and be done with your MS fairly quickly. Although it really seems like the AF would get more bang for their buck if they did allow the scenario you describe.
Thank you for your help! This was a great answer, especially your recommendation. Do you have more specifics on how your friend was able to go about getting the BS/MS in four years (AP credits, summer courses, college classes during high school, etc)? I think it may be a possibility for me, depending on the rigor of the institution I attend (Iowa State may be more feasible than Purdue for that particular track).
 
First off, is it even feasible to be a highly active participant in AFROTC and complete a BS in engineering in four years without the technical major one year scholarship extension? \
If you look at Purdue's ME website https://engineering.purdue.edu/ME/Academics/Undergraduate/index.html they give you the 4 year path to a ME degere. As with all Engineering programs it can be achieved in 4 years, without AP credit or summer school. However you do need to start on the ME path from the start. Also, you are taking 6 courses a semester plus labs and ROTC, which is a high work load that will keep you busy.

I had asked about a 5th year masters option for NROTC when DS met with his battalion, and the answer was no, but I think there was a But in there. I have a feeling that it is possible, but there are very very few slots.
 
If you look at Purdue's ME website https://engineering.purdue.edu/ME/Academics/Undergraduate/index.html they give you the 4 year path to a ME degere. As with all Engineering programs it can be achieved in 4 years, without AP credit or summer school. However you do need to start on the ME path from the start. Also, you are taking 6 courses a semester plus labs and ROTC, which is a high work load that will keep you busy.

I had asked about a 5th year masters option for NROTC when DS met with his battalion, and the answer was no, but I think there was a But in there. I have a feeling that it is possible, but there are very very few slots.
Thank you for your reply. By slots, do you mean to suggest that it is a competitive process for determining who is allowed to continue on?
 
Thank you for your help! This was a great answer, especially your recommendation. Do you have more specifics on how your friend was able to go about getting the BS/MS in four years (AP credits, summer courses, college classes during high school, etc)? I think it may be a possibility for me, depending on the rigor of the institution I attend (Iowa State may be more feasible than Purdue for that particular track).

I think he had some AP credits, and he took a few summer classes as well as overloaded a couple of semesters. I wouldn't overload yourself initially, especially freshman year, because you really don't know how you'll respond to college level engineering classes, but if you're able to do it, all the better. It also really depends on the school and the degree requirements. At my school, we can double count a bunch of upper level and grad classes for both degrees which makes it easier, and the grad program had a non-thesis option. If you have to do a thesis, I'd say it's probably MUCH harder to do.
 
Thanks!
I think he had some AP credits, and he took a few summer classes as well as overloaded a couple of semesters. I wouldn't overload yourself initially, especially freshman year, because you really don't know how you'll respond to college level engineering classes, but if you're able to do it, all the better. It also really depends on the school and the degree requirements. At my school, we can double count a bunch of upper level and grad classes for both degrees which makes it easier, and the grad program had a non-thesis option. If you have to do a thesis, I'd say it's probably MUCH harder to do.
That makes a lot of sense to me. Thank you!
 
Thank you for your reply. By slots, do you mean to suggest that it is a competitive process for determining who is allowed to continue on?

There is no competitive process for being selected to continue on and earn a masters in NROTC. The Navy/Marine Corps do not pay for master's degrees in this program. Once you earn your bachelors, you will graduate and commission. If you show up with credits and can graduate in 3 or 3.5 years....you'll also be getting commissioned then and sent to the fleet. This simply does not exist. The only time people get an extra semester or a 5th full year is when they are doing a bachelor's program that, by design, takes longer than the traditional four years. In that case, you'd have to get authorization from the NROTC unit to do so. Bachelor's only though.

I can't speak for AROTC or AFROTC, and I'm sure there are differences.
 
We were told by DD's future school at an informational session (not our question), that for AROTC that an ED or extension is typically only for biology degrees going onto medical school. When someone asked about engineering they were told that once they finish their bachelors degree they would be expected to commission and serve.
 
There is no competitive process for being selected to continue on and earn a masters in NROTC. The Navy/Marine Corps do not pay for master's degrees in this program. Once you earn your bachelors, you will graduate and commission. If you show up with credits and can graduate in 3 or 3.5 years....you'll also be getting commissioned then and sent to the fleet. This simply does not exist. The only time people get an extra semester or a 5th full year is when they are doing a bachelor's program that, by design, takes longer than the traditional four years. In that case, you'd have to get authorization from the NROTC unit to do so. Bachelor's only though.

I can't speak for AROTC or AFROTC, and I'm sure there are differences.
Thank's for your help! That makes sense, I was just considering the possibilities. Not being able to graduate with a MS doesn't alter my plans very much. Awesome advice.
We were told by DD's future school at an informational session (not our question), that for AROTC that an ED or extension is typically only for biology degrees going onto medical school. When someone asked about engineering they were told that once they finish their bachelors degree they would be expected to commission and serve.
Thanks!
 
Just curious, minus having a masters paid, is there any advantage in having a masters as far as promotion, branching, etc...
 
Just curious, minus having a masters paid, is there any advantage in having a masters as far as promotion, branching, etc...
If you're asking me, (in which case I am obligated to notify you that I am not a great source) I had the impression that it would allow you to engage in more specialized work along your career path. For example, as somebody who wants to be a 62EXA (Aerospace developmental engineer), the advantage of having an MS would be perhaps landing a job conducting research regarding flight systems versus managing a supply depot. That being said, I am not "above" jobs such as managing a supply depot. I was just considering the advantages of differentiating myself with an MS in order to attain a position I might be more interested in.
 
Yes it starts to come into play for promotions later on in a career. Some services put weight on them for selection to O-4 and others at O-5. And yes it can lead to different opportunities such as teaching, acquisition, research and development, etc. Each service has their own nuances regarding billets and requirements. Also, if you get selected to earn a Masters, there are usually associated follow on tours for those as a sort of 'pay back' for that degree and the knowledge you now bring to the table.
 
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