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Online Engineering Degrees are becoming increasingly popular. Learn about Engineering schools, jobs and salaries.
Find state-by-state information regarding expected salaries for Engineers, as well as information regarding potential job growth.
Learn what it takes to become an Engineer. Explore detailed listings of online Engineering schools to find the one that best meets your needs.
Educate yourself about what an Engineer actually does. Learn about the day to day life of an Engineer and the skills, knowledge and abilities necessary to succeed in the field of Engineering.
Engineering is the practical applications of math and science to safely design, maintain, develop and build structures, materials, and devices. Engineers work in the field of computers, structural design, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering, among several others. Engineers problem solve using math and science, to develop efficient and effective tools for their respective industries.
The best online engineering schools should either possess regional or national accreditation from an accrediting body that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
In addition, you can often recognize top online engineering schools based on:
The following levels of engineering degree online programs are available:
The amount of time it takes a student to earn an accredited online engineering degree depends on the level of engineering degree being pursued and the pace of the student.
Typically, the breakdown is as follows:
As a discipline, engineering ranges widely in areas of expertise, which is reflected in the required coursework. Students in popular online engineering degree programs need solid math and science skills, particularly in the areas of applied science, chemistry, physics, and applied math, including algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus. Each class builds on previous knowledge, so skills in advanced math and science are essential. The more advanced the online degree program, the more complex the coursework. Some required classes for engineering majors include the following:
Specialization is required in the best online engineering degree programs, as course content is specific to the concentration. Common engineering specializations include:
Students graduating with the best online engineering degrees have a wide variety of career opportunities, depending on their specialization and education level. Accredited online engineering schools provide students with the practical skills to pursue jobs at every level of the field of engineering. Specific careers in engineering include:
An engineer uses math and science to develop and build structures and products used in everyday life.
Generally, engineers problem solve using math, science, and critical thinking skills to develop and test products, devices, and structures. Engineering duties are specialized to their area of concentration, with some overlap. As an engineer gains expertise in their specialty, their job duties will become more focused and defined.
Specific engineering jobs entail the following:
Both the salary and projected employment growth for engineers will vary depending on specialization and the online degree earned. According to government statistics, the average starting salary for engineers ranges between $52,048 (civil engineer) and $83,121 (petroleum engineer).
Growth is expected in all areas of engineering. Specific job growth for engineering disciplines ranges from industrial engineers expecting a 14% growth to mechanical engineers projecting a 5% growth over the next 10 years. Average expected growth is 8%. Certain engineers, including petroleum engineers, find the best career opportunities outside of the United States.
Accredited online engineering schools offer excellent education opportunities for prospective engineers. As engineering positions, responsibilities, and specialties differ widely within the field, education standards vary as well. However, most engineering positions require similar curriculums and licensing.
Professional engineers (PEs) must hold a 4-year undergraduate degree, and generally hold at least one advanced degree (Master’s or PhD, or both). Professional engineers must pass two separate licensing tests. The first test is taken upon graduation from a bachelor’s program and gives students the opportunity to become an engineer in training (EIT). Once the EIT has gained practical knowledge in the field, they may take the Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam, which, when passed, gives the individual the title of professional engineer. Continuing education units are required as well, and differ according to different state standards.
Engineering technicians, who assist engineers in projects and engineering tasks, must hold an associate’s degree in their respective field.
Empire State Plaza is a marvel of civil engineering that sits at the center of Albany, NY. The plaza was built between 1959 and 1976 and was the brainchild of Nelson Rockefeller, the Governor of New York at the time. Albany was originally settled by the Dutch, and Rockefeller was charged with giving a tour [...]
The BLS summarizes the results of comprehensive government studies on the engineering profession. Students can find information on the nature of engineers’ work, training, general description of the job, job outlook, and salary statistics.
O-Net lists over 20 different engineering professions for students to consider, and includes more detailed information on each field. This page is helpful in clarifying the differences of each branch of engineering, and the specific career opportunities for each.
The various engineering degrees and career paths are very numerous, and often overlap each other. This helpful handout from the University of Georgia can help students narrow down their choices or make choices about academic and career specialties.
The library and reference center at the University of Washington compiled a list of many different professional organizations that engineers and engineering students can join. Each of these organizations has particular professional benefits and resources for its members.