Deakin University and Engineers Australia will today launch an Australian-first course allowing engineers to obtain chartered engineering status and a Master’s degree at the same time.
The Master of Professional Practice in Engineering (MPPEng) will be launched at a special agreement signing event between Deakin and Engineers Australia, attended by Deakin Vice Chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander AO and Engineers Australia CEO Peter McIntyre.
Professor den Hollander said professional practice courses were designed for those who wanted to be formally recognised for their extensive experience in a professional field.
“This model has been developed because employers and professionals need higher education qualifications that are credible, validated and offer new ways to match capability and opportunity,” she said.
“Students in professional practice courses are assessed through evidence of their mastery of the field. For engineering professionals, the modular, flexible approach to the course allows for a seamless progression into a Master’s pathway that also leads directly to professional registration as a Chartered Engineer.”
The Master of Professional Practice in Engineering has been jointly developed by Deakin’s School of Engineering, DeakinCo and Engineers Australia, and will be open to enrolments from trimester one 2019.
Applicants must have at least four years’ professional experience and have completed a four-year honours degree. The course will be open throughout the year so students can enrol at any time, and all units will be completed online through Deakin’s cloud campus.
Head of Deakin’s School of Engineering Professor Aman Oo said the course included 10 credentials, plus three online units, and was targeted predominantly at engineering managers.
“We know many Australian engineers are looking to get their chartered status to progress into management roles, so this course allows them to complete their stage two competencies at the same time as finishing a Master’s degree,” Professor Oo said.
“This is the first time such a course in engineering has been offered in Australia.”
Engineers Australia CEO Peter McIntyre said the Master of Professional Practice Engineering would be a valuable qualification.
“Engineers Australia is pleased to be partnering with Deakin University to market and promote the course which provides recognition of professional practice to gain advanced credits towards a Master’s course,” Mr McIntyre said.
“The professional practice assessment is based on Engineers Australia’s Chartered competency standards and will be graded by industry assessors and endorsed by us.
“Graduates of the MPPEng will be awarded Chartered status upon successful completion of the Master’s degree. This formal recognition of professional experience is a great asset for experienced engineers wanting to get a Master’s qualification at a reduced time and cost.”
Original article: published by Deakin University