Florida Polytechnic in Lakeland adds two master's degrees in engineering

Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland is expanding its educational offerings this fall with the addition of two master’s degrees: mechanical engineering and electrical engineering.

The new graduate program options replace a master’s degree in engineering that offered specialization tracks in each of the disciplines, Florida Poly said in a news release.

The first cohorts of students began their programs this fall semester. Those already pursuing the previous engineering degree have the option to transition to the updated curriculum.

Both new degrees will be available to students who would like to pursue either a coursework or thesis path, the release said. Additionally, they are available as part of the university’s 4+1 degree program, which enables students to earn graduate credit while completing their undergraduate education, thereby accelerating their path to a master’s degree.

Florida Poly added bachelor’s degrees in civil engineering and industrial engineering in 2023 and master’s degrees in data science and engineering management in 2022. In all, Florida Poly now offers five master’s and 12 bachelor’s programs, as well as the 4+1 degree program.

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Ryan Sullivan, associate director of graduate and transfer admissions, said the new mechanical and electrical engineering degrees support the state’s priority of developing programs of strategic emphasis in alignment with economic and workforce needs.

“This new electrical engineering degree can make you more marketable and will add to the strong success our graduates experience,” Muhammad Rashid, Florida Poly’s interim chair of electrical, computer and cybersecurity engineering, said in the release. “All the students so far who graduated from the master’s program found a job right away, and now it will be even easier for those who have a master’s degree in these specific engineering fields.”

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Florida Polytechnic in Lakeland adds two master's degrees in engineering