OPINIONS NEEDED - HELP. Continuing my education, which path?

[nebula]

Sorry for the length.

Background:

I have a BS degree in Manufacturing Engineering Technology, graduated in ?97 I decided a few years ago that I really wanted to do Software or Controls Engineering. It became evident that I could not really get a job doing those things unless I had my Electrical Engineering degree. So I started going to night classes while working full time during the day. This was fine for the last couple years until just last week. The UofM has decided to discontinue offering EE classes in the evening and they are really the only EE program in the Cities.

Current dilemma:

Taking classes during the workday is up to my supervisor, which he is not accommodating right now. So that is not a sure thing. I need to continue my education so I?m looking at other options. Quitting my job is not really an option. One option is Computer Engineering. It?s similar to EE and may get me the jobs I want and CSCI classes ARE offered in the evenings. Also Comp.E seems to be more flexible with Sr. Tech electives in that I can take either EE or CSCI classes. Some EE classes are still needed, I guess I'll cross that bridge later.

The Question:

Do I switch to Comp.E or stick with EE and find other options to take classes?

I have all the Math, Physics and Chemistry taken care of already. I also have EE2001, EE2011 done and am taking EE2002 this fall. That's the only class I can take this fall unless I switch, then CSCI1901 would also be an option.

Comp.E Program
EE Program

I really need a large number of opinions, that's why I decided to post this. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[SP33Demon]

I'd do EE since you already have classes in it... explain this to your boss and see if he will compromise somehow... On the other hand, how much longer would it take to do CPE? Would your EE credits transfer to another school? You also only mentioned options to do CPE at night, and not EE. If EE classes are not offered when you can take them, then your answer is simple.

 

[nebula]

CPE requires the EE classes that I currently have, so no loss there. The only thing I'd sorta lose is my Chem. but I took those for my first degree so that was long ago. I need to make a few calls but if I wanted to take any higher level CSCI classes as electives, I'd need the lower ones anyway as prereqs. So, it may not actually take me any longer for CPE, maybe actually shorter now that I look at it.

When I said that there wasn't another EE program in the area, well there is but it's not really the school I want my degree from and I'm not sure if they have evening EE classes.

The one phobia I have, EE is a classical degree, recognized everywhere. I just don't want to get a Comp.E degree and have it not be recognized. That's what happened with my current degree. It was a new program at the time I entered it and many people think that it's a "hands on" type degree. My current instructor said he thought Comp.E used to be that way but not anymore. I was hoping some here would have that degree.

edited for clarity.

 

[SP33Demon]

Yes it sounds like CPE is the way to go... it's shorter, the degree is from the school you like, and your work will pay for it...

 

[nebula]

Originally posted by: SP33Demon
Yes it sounds like CPE is the way to go... it's shorter, the degree is from the school you like, and your work will pay for it...

This is the way I was leaning until I plotted out each degree in Excel. Turns out I'd need 73 credits to finish CPE and only 61 for EE. I spoke with my current instructor and he recommended that with my background that I could probably get instructor approval to take upper level CSCI courses without having the prereqs. Turns out that I emailed an instructor yesterday and he told me what we'd do in the class and said he'd give me permission if I thought I could handle it.

So I guess I'm staying EE and looking to transfer into a different group at work with a supervisor that is more accomodating.