Restructuring engineering education: an alternate professional model

Engineering education is beset by many of the same challenges that have affected American industry. Much has been recommended and implemented to improve engineering education. However, the traditional structure of engineering education remains, even though current exigencies require a fundamental restructuring. A professional model is proposed herein as an alternative to the traditional structure; it serves to mitigate the growing cost of education, overcome the decreasing quality of high school graduates, meet the growing need for professional engineers, and enhance the link between research and engineering education. Further, the professional model is responsive to the needs of the 21st century and should enhance the engineering profession and raise the self-esteem of American engineers.