Choosing what to major in can be a difficult decision for anyone. However, if you have an interest in technology and learning more about how things work, engineering could be the right place for you!
In this article, we will dive deeper into the benefits of completing an online engineering degree and what to expect as you go through your online engineering classes.
What is Engineering?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, engineering is an extremely fast-growing field with an estimated 140,000 new job openings expected between 2016 and 2026 and an average salary of $91,010 in 2016.
But what exactly is an engineer? An engineering degree combines subjects such as math, science, and business to be able to create various technologies and mechanical systems to maintain function in a variety of ways.
Life as an Engineering Major
College life can be an adjustment for any new student, and becoming an engineer takes significant dedication to intense coursework and outside internships. By combining high-level science, math, and computer courses, such as calculus, physics, biology, chemistry, and programming, life as an engineering major requires a lot of dedication to your studies.
How to Choose the Right Online Degree in Engineering?
It is important to note that receiving an online degree in engineering is equivalent to any education you would receive at a standard four-year in-person college.
The key difference is that an online degree offers flexibility, making these programs perfect for:
- Students who work part-time or even full-time
- Students with personal responsibilities such as family obligations and children
- Anyone who enjoys working in the privacy of their own home
However, each online degree program is a bit different; some offer in-person laboratory-based classwork where students can be more hands-on, while others are 100% remote. Some online programs require that you actively participate in classes with an assigned schedule, while others offer pre-recorded sessions that you can view at any time.
The Different Types of Online Engineering Programs and Their Requirements
As online engineering curriculums include rigorous science and math coursework, it is pertinent that you show a strong background in both areas when applying for an undergraduate program. This includes a high GPA in all related coursework and extracurricular activities that highlight your creativity and strong work ethic.
Standardized tests such as the SATs for undergraduate programs and the GRE for graduate programs are usually required, with many schools recommending specific score ranges in both math and reading comprehension. Lastly, your college admissions essay needs to highlight your strong communication skills and ability to convey information in a meaningful way.
There are two types of undergraduate degrees, a two-year associate’s degree, and a four-year bachelor’s degree. You can also enroll in an online program to earn a master’s degree in engineering after earning your bachelor’s degree.
Associate’s Degree in Engineering
Some examples of engineering associate degrees include Pre-Engineering, Engineering, Engineering Technology, Engineering Management, and Electronic Engineering Technology. An associate’s degree covers a general introduction to engineering, while a bachelor’s goes much more in-depth with the two additional years of coursework.
Schools that offer online associate degrees include Imperial Valley College, Mississippi Delta Community College, Alpena Community College, Wilkes Community College, and Richmond Community College.
Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering
Some examples of types of engineering bachelor’s degrees include Software Engineering Management, Computer Engineering, Applied Engineering, and Engineering. According to USNews, the top online bachelor’s degrees in engineering include The University of North Dakota, The University of Arizona (School of Engineering), Ferris State University, Arizona State University, and Stonybrook University.
Master’s Degree in Engineering
Applying for a master’s degree is a bit different. You will be taking the general Graduate Record Exams (GREs) as well as the subject-specific GREs to highlight your knowledge in math, science, and even reading comprehension and writing, as these skills are also pertinent to completing an online master’s degree in engineering.
On top of maintaining a high overall GPA, it is important to show some outside experience in the field of engineering in which you are interested in moving forward. This includes internships at highly reputable organizations as well as research you may have done during your undergraduate work.
Some examples of master’s degrees in engineering include Biomedical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Product Design and Manufacturing, and Mechanical Engineering from schools such as Columbia University, the University of California LA, and Penn State University.
After receiving your master’s, if you are interested in becoming a professor or performing your own research, you can then move on to apply for a doctoral degree. As doctoral programs are generally five to seven years, you must show significant dedication to the field of engineering that you wish to pursue. This includes:
- High GRE scores
- A high GPA during your master’s program
- Strong hands-on experience in engineering-related research
Some examples of online doctorate degrees in engineering include Project Management and Engineering, which you can obtain from schools like Boston, Clarkson, and Clemson University.
Common Online Engineering Classes
For the first two years of a bachelor’s degree, you need to take general education courses ranging from history and psychology to reading and writing. During that time, you will also take your introductory math and science course, such as general biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering.
After you have completed your introductory courses, you will move on to more engineering-specific coursework. These classes include but are not limited to:
- Computational Graphics and Visualization
- Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM)
- Material Science and Metallurgy
- Software Testing and Quality Assurance
After completing these general engineering classes, you will move on to coursework more specific to the type of engineering you wish to pursue, which will involve much more hands-on experience and lab work.
The Cost of an Online Engineering Degree
While online degrees generally cost two and a half times less than in-person degrees, they can still cost on average $316 per credit hour from a public college and $488 per credit hour from a private college. The total degree cost ranges from $29,760-$100,000.
However, each institution will offer different pricing based on their specific program offerings. It is important to do your research and analyze the cost-benefit ratio of any school you are looking into. Once you do choose your school, there are many government and private assistance programs that can help pay for an online college, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), as well as engineering and non-engineering specific scholarships.
Careers with an Engineering Degree
With an online engineering degree, the possibilities are endless. Here are a few common engineering careers to choose from.
- Computer Engineering: If you are interested in designing, developing, and testing computers, then this field is right for you. Working as a computer engineer, you would work for companies such as HP and Dell and earn an average of $116,000 per year.
- Civil Engineering: These engineers design and create the architecture and infrastructure needed for transportation. Working as a civil engineer, you would work for companies like Sambatek, Carta, and Testengeer, making an average of $95,000 per year.
- Aerospace Engineering: Aerospace engineers generate and maintain modes of transportation that are in the air, such as airplanes and spacecraft. Working as an aerospace engineer, you would work at companies such as the U.S. Air Force, Boeing, and NASA and earn an average of $117,000 per year
- Nuclear Engineering: Nuclear engineers work with nuclear energy in power plants, vehicles, and the military to monitor and utilize radioactive material. Working at gas and oil companies like PSEG, universities, and the U.S. Army, making an average of $103,000 per year
The Benefits of Working as an Engineer
As demanding as obtaining an engineering degree online is, there are many benefits once you have completed your schooling.
Despite the difficulty many college graduates face in finding work in their field, this will not be a problem for you. With so many positions available at a high introductory pay rate, if you graduated in good standing, it will be much easier to find a full-time position than other recent graduates in different disciplines. With so many different types of engineering, the possibilities of where you can go in your career are truly endless.
Lastly, engineering offers a sense of continuous education that many other fields do not. You will never get stuck in a rut of doing the same thing every day—each new day will be an adventure all on its own.
With the limitless opportunities available for those who complete an online degree in engineering, it is no wonder why the field is so popular. An engineering degree is not for everyone; it takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and schooling before you can reap the benefits of working as an engineer.
With this in mind, picking the perfect online engineering program for you is a must. It is important to consider the time spent virtually vs in person, the cost, and the types of engineering majors each institution offers. But once you find the right school for you and complete your online engineering degree, it will all be worth it in the end.