Time: Most students in the program are working full time and taking one class a semester. In this situation, you should plan to be in the program about five years. Full time students take should take one and a half or two years to complete the degree. For a single course, a rule of thumb is to spend two hours for every hour in class. So you can expect to spend about 150 hours on a course during the semester, though some classes may take significantly more or less time. No matter how you slice it you are making a big time commitment.

Cost: The cost of the degree is basically the sum total of the cost of each class. The cost of a class varies by university, mode of delivery, and year. It seems costs increase every year. The resident cost for a course taken at one of the UI campuses was $227/credit or $681 for a three credit course in 2005-6. A course taken from another university costs more or less depending on the school and its residency requirements. A class taken through the UI’s Engineering Outreach program costs $1,440 for a three credit course in 2006. The cost is greater because of the extra expense to produce and support the course for distance delivery. If you are currently working, most employers will pay for your classes, so be sure to check into your company’s education policy. All told, you are probably looking at $7,500 to $15,000 or more for the cost of the degree.