Master's Degree

For more information about the new Master of Engineering in T&D Engineering, please check out the following documents:

Application Guide

Program Outline

Grad Worksheet

Student Handbook

About Our Mission and Goals:

The School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) has developed a Master of Engineering degree in Transmission and Distribution (T&D) Engineering. The program will provide on-line graduate level courses to utility engineering professionals who are interested in pursuing an advanced level degree but are unable to participate in traditional (on-site) graduate programs.

The proposed degree program will build on our existing T&D graduate certificate which was developed to provide utility professionals with access to advanced educational opportunities. Each course in the program has been designed in collaboration with power industry experts to provide students with necessary technical and managerial skills for advancement in their power careers. The multi-disciplined program blends academic rigor with engineering practicum in a series of courses that include civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering, along with engineering leadership topics to form an advanced degree in Transmission and Distribution Engineering.

Educational Offering

The following comprise the degree requirements for the Master in Engineer in T&D Engineering:

Course Requirements

Thirty-six (36) credits total:

• 33* in T&D courses, including at least 9 in chosen track (used toward graduation portfolio).  *Students may substitute 6 credits from pre-approved MBA and ORGL courses.
• 3 in TADP 556 capstone course.

Transmission Track Courses                                           

• TADP 540             Transmission Line Design-Introduction                   3 credits
• TADP 543             Electric Grid Operations                                           3 credits
• TADP 544             Project Development & Construction Methods        3 credits
• TADP 547             Underground System Design                                   3 credits
• TADP 548             Transmission Line Design-Electrical Aspects         3 credits
• TADP 640             Transmission Line Design-Advanced                      3 credits

Distribution Track Courses                          

• TADP 541             Distribution System Design                                     3 credits
• TADP 542             Substation Design                                                    3 credits
• TADP 545             System Protection                                                    3 credits
• TADP 547             Underground System Design                                   3 credits
• TADP 553             System Automation                                                   3 credits
• TADP 641             Power System Analysis                                            3 credits

Capstone Course                            

• TADP 556             Engineering Leadership                                           3 credits

Planning and Development

For the past three decades the United States has experienced a steady decline in the number of engineering graduate students. Of particular concern has been a sharp reduction in engineering students with a focus on power related topics. For many utilities, locally and nationally, the lack of trained engineers to design and manage existing and anticipated projects has become a significant issue. Compounding the current situation is the knowledge that this engineering shortage will only increase as today's "baby-boom" generation starts retiring. Recent initiatives to increase "green" energy generation are creating severe bottlenecks in the nation's power grid and a push for a "Smart" grid (incorporating the latest computerization technology) is creating a desperate need for highly-trained power engineers.