niuvt graphic

NIUVT Scholars

Overview

The NIUVT Scholars Program is intended to provide a flexible and accelerated mechanism for talented engineers in Navy-related industries to conduct Masters and Doctorial studies in research areas of interest of their employers at the University of Connecticut or University of Rhode Island. The NIUVT Scholars Program provides specific and unique opportunities for professionals to continue working part time while also engaging as students and research assistants in meaningful and targeted research activities leading to MS thesis and PhD dissertations. This program is significantly different than any course-based graduate degree in that it requires the employee/student to fully engage in research activities under the direct mentorship of faculty members who are leaders in their fields of study and to utilize computational and experimental resources available at UConn or URI. This is a great opportunity for industry to partner with the university to conduct research, transition technology, and achieve advanced degrees for their employees simultaneously.

University of Connecticut

      • Industry Engineers with a B.S. in engineering disciplines in obtaining advanced technical degrees can apply to be an NIUVT Scholar through the Masters Studies Grant opportunity. NIUVT facilitates matching of potential student and industry interests with faculty members at UConn and URI.

        Degree Requirements:

        • 21 credits of coursework; 9 Credits of M.S. Thesis Research, M.S. Thesis
          • 6 courses + 1 independent study specific to NIUVT research (CUI/Classified level)
          • 9 credits of M.S. Thesis Research, for which time devoted to conducting research and writing thesis
          • Master’s Thesis, including 1-2 journal publications (the thesis can be substituted by a journal manuscript to a journal approved by your advisory committee)

        Students take 1-2 courses each semester for 2 years and conduct meaningful research during the semester and over the summer toward their degree requirements. Research topics may be at the CUI-level; or can be supplemented with further industry research at the classified level; but they must result in a Distribution A Masters Thesis.

        Students have access to the NIUVT-affiliated, internationally recognized faculty and world-class facilities at UConn or URI to direct and conduct their research.

      • Industry Engineers with a M.S. in an engineering discipline interested in obtaining advanced technical degrees can apply to be an NIUVT Scholar through the Doctorial Studies Grant opportunity. NIUVT facilitates matching of potential student and industry interests with faculty members at UConn and URI.

        Degree Requirements:

        • 18 credits of coursework; 5 courses plus 1 independent study specific to research topic
        • 21 credits of Dissertation Research Credits
        • Ph.D Dissertation
          • 3-4 journal publications (the thesis can be substituted by journal manuscripts)

        Because of the uncertainty and rigor associated with the Ph.D. program, this grant is intended to get students through the General Examination process and up to the Dissertation Research Proposal (if successful) or to a terminal M.S. degree (if not successful).

        Students take 1 course each semester (1 course + 1 independent study the first semester) for 2 years and conduct meaningful research during the semester and over the summer toward their degree requirements. Research topics may be at the CUI-level; or can be supplemented with further industry research at the classified level – but they must result in a Distribution A Ph.D Dissertation.

        Students have access to the NIUVT-affiliated, internationally recognized faculty and world-class facilities at UConn to direct and conduct their research.

      • Industry Engineers having completed the first 2 years of their Ph.D. program and successfully passing their General Exam can apply to be an NIUVT Scholar through the Doctorial Research Completion Grant opportunity. NIUVT facilitates matching of potential student and industry interests with faculty members at UConn or URI.

        Degree Requirements: 18 credits of coursework; 21 credits of Dissertation Research credits; Ph.D Dissertation

        • Complete the final 6 credits of dissertation research credits
        • Ph.D Dissertation = 3-4 journal publications (the thesis can be substituted by journal manuscripts)
        • Depending on the pace and productivity of the student, an additional summer or semester(s) may be required to complete dissertation

        This grant is intended to allow students to complete their Dissertation Research Proposal complete and defend their Dissertation.

        Students have access to NIUVT-affiliated, internationally recognized faculty and world-class facilities at UConn to direct and conduct their research.

 

University of Rhode Island

      • Working engineers with a B.S. in engineering interested in obtaining advanced technical degrees can apply to be an NIUVT Scholar through the Masters Studies Grant opportunity.

        Degree Requirements:

        • 24 credits of coursework; 6 Credits of M.S. Thesis Research, M.S. Thesis
          • 6 courses + 2 independent study specific to NIUVT research
          • 6 credits of M.S. thesis research = time devoted to conducting research and writing thesis.
          • MS Thesis = 1-2 journal publications (the thesis can be substituted by a journal manuscript).

      • NIUVT Scholars Program, 2 Semesters + Summer + J Term

        • Masters Studies Grant: B.S. to M.S.
        • Students enroll full time at URI with Research Assistantship for one year.
        • Students take two courses (Westerly, online or on campus) in the J term for a total of 6 credits
        • Defend their thesis in the Fall semester of first year.
        • Students work part time at company and become full time students at URI.
        • Students take 2 courses + 1 Special Problem course each semester for first year, and conduct 6 credits of research over the summer toward their degree requirements.
        • Students take 6 credits (2 courses) in J term
        • Students have access to the NIUVT-affiliated, internationally recognized faculty and world-class facilities at URI to direct and conduct their research.

      • NIUVT Scholars Program, 3 Semesters + Summer + J Term

        • Masters Studies Grant: B.S. to M.S.
        • Students enroll full time at URI with Research Assistantship for one year.
        • Students return to work at industry full time after first year.
        • Students take one course each (Westerly, online or evening class on campus) in the third semester and J term for a total of 6 credits.
        • Defend their thesis in the third semester or J term.
        • Students work part at company and become full time students at URI.
        • Students take 2 courses + 1 Special Problem course each semester for first year, and conduct 6 credits of research over the summer toward their degree requirements.
        • Students have access to the NIUVT-affiliated, internationally recognized faculty and world-class facilities at URI to direct and conduct their research.

         

University of Connecticut participants in the NIUVT Scholars program and their dependents are eligible for health coverage through the CT Partnership Plan. Visit the HR Benefits site for more information.

Health benefits provided for NIUVT Scholars at the University of Rhode Island do not cover spouses or dependents. Participants are able to purchase medical and dental insurance for their spouse/dependent through the Health Services department. Contact health@uri.edu for pricing and information on how to add coverage.

Candidates seeking to join the NIUVT Scholars program should apply to begin studying at either the University of Connecticut or University of Rhode Island. A representative of the candidate’s organization should contact one of the below to discuss costs associated with the NIUVT Scholars Program:

Dr. Arun Shukla, NIUVT Co-Director (University of Rhode Island)

Dr. Richard Christenson, NIUVT Co-Director (University of Connecticut)