2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

The scope and expectations of the engineering profession are changing swiftly to keep pace with technological and social advancements. Economic and global issues, innovations, expansion of discipline boundaries, and increased professional responsibilities are transforming what engineers do, especially as they progress in their careers. Contemporary engineering challenges and solutions are often multi‐disciplinary in nature and require systems thinking in problem formulation and results. The need is apparent for engineers with strong technical knowledge, who can think creatively and critically, communicate effectively, and work in teams. However, the very nature of engineering, as defined by different organizations, points to the coupling of the engineering profession with society. “Engineering is the profession in which a knowledge of the mathematical and natural sciences, gained by study, experience and practice, is applied with judgment to develop ways to utilize, economically, the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of mankind” [1]. With full undergraduate curricula to meet these technical and early professional competencies, engineers progressing in their careers as executives, analysts, consultants, and advisers will need graduate education to meet increased professional responsibilities. Specifically, these include increased technical, policy and regulatory skills; expanded professional skills; the ability to identify opportunities for improvement; and the ability to work effectively in a globally connected and interdisciplinary work environment. To address the increasing demand for engineering professionals to have advanced education, [The Institution] developed new Master of Engineering degree to prepare STEM professionals who are versed in policy and law systems and the way emerging technologies interact with and enter these systems. The Master of Engineering degree in engineering, law, and policy (MELP) will enhance the key attributes of an engineer: solidly grounded, technically broad, globally minded, ethical, innovative, excellent collaborators, and visionary leaders that excel at delivering impact with social consciousness.

This paper discusses the development of the MELP residential program aimed to provide graduates with a competitive advantage when seeking employment at the nexus of science and technology policy, policy analysis, complex systems design, and regulatory compliance within an engineering systems framework. Qualitative student feedback is also discussed, showing the positive impact of the new MELP courses developed.