While the Graduate and Professional School (GPS) has a lot of information about the degree process, you are seeking an online Master of Engineering degree, so some of your degree steps might be a bit different. Check with our staff to make sure you understand everything required.
Basic list of steps needed before submitting your degree plan
1. Know when to file
File your degree plan by the end of your second semester or when you take your third course (whichever comes first). If you don't file it, GPS will block you, preventing you from registering for future classes.
2. Get an advisor
Your advisor (or chair) is the faculty member from our department you pick to advise you throughout your degree program. They can help you make the right decisions if you struggle with a class or want to make substitutions in your courses. Your advisor also oversees your final written project (PETE 692), which is the one-on-one course you take at the end to finish your degree.
Our online learning director is your temporary advisor until you find the one you want. And yes, you may ask them for advice on who to choose as your advisor.
Before you ask a faculty member to be your advisor, here is what we recommend:
- Check their research interests to make sure they align with yours
- Take one of their courses (this is only a suggestion; you don't have to do this before emailing them)
If you like them, then email them.
Suggested email subject line: (your last name) - Request your service as my advisor
Suggested email message:
- (briefly) say who you are and where you work (if you currently have a job)
- (briefly) say what your area of interest is
- mention if your degree is in petroleum engineering or another field
- tell them you are a distance learning student
- (briefly) explain why they would be the best advisor for you (mention their course, if relevant)
- (briefly) explain what your topic is for your final course (if you know it)
We also suggest you attach your resumé and your transcripts to the email.
3. Get two committee members
Your advisor helps you with your main area of academic interest, but you will need two committee members to help you with your other interests.
- Choose one faculty member from within the petroleum engineering department
- Choose one faculty member from another department that you also plan to take courses in
Suggested email subject line: (your last name) - Request your service on my committee
Suggested email message: (same as for your advisor)
We suggest you attach your resumé and write "Transcripts available upon request." (only send your transcripts to committee members if they ask for them.)
4. Discuss your plan with your advisor
Discussions with your advisor are critical to your degree plan. First, refer to the degree requirements in the catalog.
If you do not have a petroleum engineering degree, your advisor can tell you if you need to take PETE courses 661, 662, 663, 664, 665, or if exceptions can be made. If you have a petroleum engineering degree or work experience in an oil industry area, your advisor can tell you if you only need to take 1 to 3 courses from the PETE 661, 662, 663, 664, 665 list.
Note: you MUST include PETE 692, a 3-credit course, in your degree plan because it is your final course.
Discuss with your advisor if you want to take a course or two in a specialized area before developing your degree plan. Here are some of the specialized courses available:
- Drilling - 624, 625, 626, 627, 628, 629, 635, 639, 689
- Reservoir Engineering - 603, 605, 606 609, 611, 612, 613, 616, 620, 623, 648, 650
- Formation Evaluation - 608, 619, 624, 629, 630, 632, 633, 651, 652, 657, 689
- Production - 602, 609, 618, 628, 629, 634, 689
- Project Management - 617, 621, 622, 633, 667, 689
Note: if you take specialized courses outside of the petroleum engineering department, you are responsible for contacting that department before enrolling in the class.
5. Submit your degree plan
Once your and your advisor finalize your degree plan, you will submit it online.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact our staff.