Degree Program Structure
Florida Polytechnic University offers four graduate degrees, which include a Master of Science in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, and Engineering Management. The Master of Science in Engineering also offers two distinct tracks in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. In all cases, students graduate with a Master of Science.
Degrees
- Master of Science, Computer Science
- Master of Science, Data Science
- Master of Science, Engineering
- Master of Science, Engineering Management
Tracks
The Master of Science in Engineering also offers two “tracks” in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. Tracks allow students to complete the core engineering curriculum, but also the opportunity to specialize in one of the two areas.
- Master of Science, Engineering
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
Pathways
A pathway determines degree timeline and culmination requirements. In the admission process, students select a thesis or course-only pathway. Students pursuing Computer Science, Data Science, or Engineering can choose between two pathways: the thesis pathway and accelerated course-only pathway. The Master of Science in Engineering Management does not have a thesis pathway, and all students follow the course-only pathway. Engineering Management students may choose between a one-year accelerated or two-year evening progression, both of which are course-only.
Course-only students do not submit a thesis, but instead must complete all coursework required in their pathway to earn their degree. These students usually complete the program at an accelerated pace in about one year - a Fall and Spring Term and one Summer Term. Course-only students in the Master of Science in Engineering Management program may choose to slow down their progression and complete it in 24 months if they are working full-time or prefer a slower pace. Students in the course-only pathway are eligible for merit scholarships, but not graduate assistantships.
One-Year Accelerated- Available for all programs
The one-year accelerated course-only pathway consists of four classes in fall term (12 credits), four classes in spring term (12 credits), and two classes in summer term (6 credits). The entire program is one-year in duration. The following rules apply to those admitted to the accelerated pathway. There are no exceptions to these rules.
- Once you start the cohort, you are expected to finish it in the scheduled time.
- Students who withdraw or drop a course are removed from the program-cohort and must reapply to their selected program/track. Readmission is not guaranteed. Students should not view this as a go-at-your own pace model; if that type of flexibility is needed, the student should instead look into part-time options.
- All regular academic standing rules apply - students must maintain a 3.0.
- Students on the accelerated pathway are not eligible for graduate assistantships at any time.
- Students may be eligible for partial scholarships and/or fee waivers. Students should inquire with the Office of Financial Aid.
Two-Year Evening- Only available for MS Engineering Management
The two-year evening course-only pathway consists of two classes in each fall term (6 credits), two classes in each spring term (6 credits), and two classes in a summer term (6 credits). This pathway satisfies the need for working professionals in central Florida who seek in-person instruction within driving distance from Tampa, Orlando, and the surrounding area. This pathway is designed with working professionals in mind, suited especially for those who have already started or are well established in their career, providing the ability to complete a full master’s degree and advance their skillset while maintaining their professional responsibilities outside of the classroom. Located in Lakeland, the heart of Florida’s high-tech I-4 corridor, Florida Poly offers Engineering Management courses on two weeknight evenings between 6pm - 8:45 pm, allowing the full program to be completed two nights per week over the course of two years. This evening pathway is only available for students in the Master of Science in Engineering Management program, and is a part-time option for the degree.
Thesis Pathway- Available for MS Computer Science, Data Science, and Engineering
The thesis pathway is a standard two-year master’s degree culminating in a thesis. Typically, students who pursue this pathway are interested in a graduate assistantship and intend on doing focused research with a faculty member in their field. A thesis proposal is required, usually by the end of the second full term. The thesis pathway is highly selective. Admittance to the thesis pathway is required to become a graduate assistant.
Decision Tree
There are several options upon applying to graduate school at Florida Poly. Each student should ask themselves the following:
- Which degree program do I want to declare?
- Master of Science, Computer Science
- Master of Science, Data Science
- Master of Science, Engineering
- Master of Science, Engineering Management
- If pursuing the Master of Science in Engineering, which track do I want to declare?
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- When do I want to complete the program?
- Two Years
- Any of the graduate programs may be completed in two years. Computer Science, Data Science, and Engineering students who complete coursework in two years must declare the thesis pathway. Engineering Management students who complete coursework in two years must declare the two-year evening pathway.
- One Year
- Any of the graduate programs may be completed in one year. Students who complete coursework in this timeframe must declare the course-only one-year accelerated pathway.
- Which pathway do I want to declare?
- Course-Only
- One-Year Accelerated (available for all programs)
- Two-Year Evening (only available for Engineering Management)
- Thesis (available for Computer Science, Data Science, and Engineering)
The decisions above carry with it some stipulations and requirements; therefore, students must consider their path carefully and with respect to their individual life-situation and needs.
Formally, students are required to take 9-credits minimum per term for three terms (spring and fall) with 3 credits in the final, fourth term, usually thesis 2. Graduate students registered for thesis or research credits may register for as few as 8 credits and still be considered full-time. Sometimes, depending on student status and other circumstances, exceptions are allowable. Status includes full-time, part-time, domestic, international, graduate assistant, and so on.
- Two-Year Thesis
- First Academic Year: All students generally take 18 hours minimum in their first year at the rate of 9-credits per term.
- Second Academic Year: Most students take 8-9 credits in the 2nd fall term, and 3-4 credits in the 2nd spring term where the final course (thesis 2) is a remaining requirement to graduate. For purposes of Federal requirements, this constitutes full-time in the final semester. In some cases, exceptions may be granted where full-time domestic students, GAs or non-GAs, may elect to take 6 credits in fall and 6 in spring. For most domestic students, 6 credits at the graduate level constitutes full-time from a financial aid perspective; however, some scholarships may have limitations. Graduate Assistants are required to be considered full-time but pending academic progress and other considerations may be permitted to take 6 credits.
- One-Year Accelerated Course-Only Pathway: Designed to be completed in approximately 10-months, the accelerated pathway requires students to take 12 credits in fall, 12 credits in spring, and 6 credits in summer A term (6-week term from mid-May through June) typically delivered online or in hybrid format.
- Two-Year Evening Course-Only Pathway: The two-year evening course-only pathway consists of two classes in each fall term (6 credits), two classes in each spring term (6 credits), and two classes in a summer term (6 credits). This evening pathway is only available for students in the Master of Science in Engineering Management program, and is a part-time option for the degree.
- International Students: Regardless of assistantship status, international students must maintain full-time status which is generally 9 credits per term. Graduate students registered for thesis or research credits may register for as few as 8 credits and still be considered full-time. Students may also request a reduced courseload in their final semester.
Per FPU-5.0096AP Graduate Degree Graduation Requirements, a student must meet all of the following requirements to be awarded a graduate degree from Florida Poly:
- Satisfactory completion of the applicable program degree requirements and established curriculum as identified in the University Catalog in effect at the beginning of the student’s most recent period of continuous enrollment.
- Satisfactory completion of 30 credit hours of approved graduate courses and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
- Earn at least two-thirds of the credits applied towards the Graduate degree through the University.
- Completion of any pre-requisites or deficiencies as identified at admissions by the Faculty Advisor, Department Chair, or Graduate Director; and
- Submission of a completed Graduation Application to the Office of the University Registrar so that it is received by the Registrar on or before the “Graduation Application Deadline” as noted on the Academic Calendar for the semester in which the student anticipates graduating.
All work used to meet degree requirements, including coursework and the successful defense of a thesis or project, if applicable, must be completed within the six-year period immediately prior to degree conferral. An approved leave of absence does not increase or alter the time limits for degree completion.
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