The University of Pennsylvania then set up a new program with Mount Union College and others, called the four-one program. In this way, one obtains a bachelor's degree at the undergraduate institution and a master's degree in engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. This has an advantage in that the advanced training ensures a higher starting salary, and the program has been very successful. For the same five years, possibly six, a student obtains additional training beyond the bachelor's level. A drawback to this popular program should be mentioned.
Engineering is like a medieval guild.
It protects its own engineers so that they are of a suitable quality, a sort of self-policing system through the National Council of Engineering. To become a Registered Professional Engineer in any of the states you must pass an examination, usually given at a major university in that state, and lasting about three days. The examination itself is not particularly difficult, but, in order to get into the examination you must have an accredited undergraduate bachelor's engineering degree from a school approved by the National Council of Engineers. You cannot get in the door, although you might well pass the examination. This sounds like an overwhelming drawback, but it's not.