Pittsburg State University

Date: Jun 24 2015
Major: Electrical Engineering (This Major's Salary over time)
Kansas - Pittsburg State University Bachelors in Electronics Engineering & Technology IS a good program that closely mirrors traditional Electrical/Electronic Engineering programs. The course uses much of the same books at EE programs. The field of study coursework is classroom learning from PhD Engineering instructors that teach 60% Engineering Theory and the other 40% is hands-on lab work to put theory into practice. Traditional Mathematics (Calculus courses) and hard science curriculum courses such as Physics, & Chemistry are required as well to complete the degree. UNFORTUNATELY - Most hiring managers at various engineering companies in Kansas think that the degree from PSU is a tech degree where all we did was play with scopes in a lab as if it were ITT tech institute, therefore they will not hire you. It just shows that they do not understand the field of engineering and practical application engineering design with existing technology. The degree is just as challenging as any traditional EE degree, but the bias in industry is flat out ridiculous. It would only take about 30 course hours of work to convert it to a EE degree from another college in which you wouldn't learn much of anything new. Or you could possibly get a MSEE degree along with it to make yourself look more legitimate at the extra $$ expense and supplemental work.

PSU should offer bridge work to obtain an MSEE degree through another university. It would be a killer duo. Your education is what you make of it. I graduated from PSU and have been employed as an engineer ever since, but I have face many many difficulties, biases, and condescending comments & attitudes from other engineers that say I am not a "real engineer" like they are. It has delayed my career, hurt my salary potential, and caused some headaches just because of the bias and misunderstanding of the degree. They think you went to Devry or ITT tech institute because the naming of the degree. It's unfortunate. There is such a misunderstanding and bias of the PSU degree, that they will even hire Bachelor of Physics majors as engineers in Kansas City but not BSEET's that mirror EE programs. It's bizarre.

My recommendations is to either do the BSEET at Pitt, then go into an MSEE program afterwards, OR just do the traditional EE. It's not any more challenging to do so and you won't face the bias. The bias is so riduculous these days that the Kansas & Missouri state boards of which are made up of "traditionals" will not let you apply for a PE. They have a personal condescending disliking towards this type of degree.