Career opportunities in engineering
Engineers remain in high demand and online engineering courses abound. Here’s what you should know before writing a tuition check.
Even in troubled economic times, engineers of most disciplines remain in high demand. Employment of engineers, varying by specialty, is expected to grow an average 11% over the next decade. Earnings potential varies by specialty and by a wide range of other factors; however, electrical engineers, for example, make more than $80,000 in annual salary on average. An online engineering degree can be an ideal way for you to begin a career, retrain yourself for a new profession or add to your credentials when seeking a promotion. Usually completed in two years or less, the Master's is the most popular online degree for engineering specialists. Most online universities also offer Bachelor’s degrees as well.
Video: Online Bachelor's Degrees in Engineering
Degrees available online
Here are just a few of the degrees offered by online engineering schools:
- Aeronautical engineering
- Biomedical engineering
- Chemical engineering
- Civil engineering
- Computer and software engineering
- Electrical engineering
- Engineering management
- General engineering
- Industrial engineering
- Manufacturing engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Systems engineering
Video: Overview of Engineering
Time commitments
Specific programs differ widely, of course. Many online programs are structured so as to allow employed students to complete them at a part-time pace. (It is important to remember that timelines and deadlines must be followed: Students are not allowed to finish assignments whenever they feel like it.) The total time needed to complete a typical program is about two academic years -- the same as would be required for an equal amount of work at a “brick-and-mortar” school. Some of the online universities estimate that all coursework can be completed in approximately nine hours per week. Naturally, this commitment of time varies with the student’s work ethic and study skills.
Sample Online Engineering Schedule: Electrical Engineering
Introduction to Microelectromechanical Systems (tech elective)
- Electronics Lab: Nanotechnology, Engineering and Science
- Power Systems Engineering (tech elective)
- Random Signals and Systems
- Embedded Mixed-Signal Systems (tech elective)
- Electromagnetics
Tuition fees
Tuition fees charged by the various institutions offering online engineering degrees vary widely as well. The comprehensiveness of the study materials, access to instructors and other factors can significantly affect cost. Tuition of as little as $240 per credit to as much as $800 and more is charged by brick-and-mortar universities offering online programs as well as online-only institutions. Requirements (beyond a personal computer and Internet connection) seldom include anything more than textbooks.
Choosing a school
Choosing a school, based on curriculum, course schedules and cost, can be extremely time consuming. However, extensive research will pay off. (Your first step is to make sure the school is accredited.) Because the institutions differ so greatly, it’s seldom easy to choose one that will prove ideal.
Heading: Comments about online engineering schools and programs
- Ashford University: “Great online learning module.”
- Georgia Institute of Technology: Faculty has earned more than 1,000 awards.
- ITT Technical Institute: Online learning program receives generally high marks.
- Purdue University: Valuable emphasis on energy independence.
- Norwich University: “You’ll get out of it what you put into it.”
- Regis University: “Very good experience”; “program was interesting and highly challenging.”
- University of Illinois: Pioneer in nanotechnology and bioengineering.
- University of Maryland: Affiliations with corporate partners offer substantial research opportunities.
- University of Michigan: Considered a global leader.
- Western International University: “Helpful counselors, enjoyable online experience.
.