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Getting Your Engineering Degree Online

Best Computer Engineering Degree Online

Top Rated Mechanical Engineering Degree Online

Best Software Engineering Degree Online

Top Aerospace Engineering Degree Online

What Types of Online Engineering Degrees and Certifications Exist?

A vast range of online engineering degrees exist at all levels, from bachelor's degrees to graduate certificates and master's degrees. Engineers are needed in industries like software and computer hardware development, chemical engineering, manufacturing, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering and more. Below is just a sample of the different niches and degree levels of engineers.

• Associate of Applied Science in Software Engineering. In an associate's program, students will learn the fundamental aspects of designing, developing and implementing software. This technical degree is supplemented by general academics classes and can usually be completed in as little as two years.
• Bachelor of Science in Construction or Project Management. Project management is an vital part of any engineering team, and degrees like this one emphasize the importance of organized systems and structures, efficient manufacturing techniques and environments, and business leadership. Bachelor's degrees generally take four years to complete, and students will take a combination of intensive engineering classes and general academics classes.
• Computer and Electronics Engineering. A bachelor of science degree is usually required for entry-level positions in computer and electronics engineering. Online computer engineering degrees will feature hardware development courses and possibly even software engineering classes, depending on the exact program. Electronics engineering programs include a mixture of communications science, behavioral science and technical skills that prepare students for entry-level jobs as computer and electronics technicians and systems managers.
• Graduate Certificate in Engineering Systems or Engineering Management. These types of online engineering degrees train experienced engineering professionals to further develop their managerial skills. Depending on the program, students will learn how to create and implement efficient manufacturing and/or operating systems; manage engineering teams; and use leading edge technology that can make manufacturing and regular engineering systems more accurate and efficient. Graduate certificates may take one year to 18 months or longer to complete.
• Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (technical). Besides offering degrees in project management and engineering systems, many engineering schools provide technical degrees too. A Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, for example, is for students who already have professional experience and/or organized training in the technical aspect of engineering, including upper division math and science classes. Programs may last between two and three years, and require students to complete around 30 semester credit hours.
• Software Testing Certificate. Online software engineering degrees are popular because they allow working students the flexibility to work from home while working towards a future in a leading edge, well-paying field. This graduate certificate further develops students' technical skills in software engineering and may be completed in several months or over one year.
• Master of Science in Water Resources and Environmental Engineering. Online programs that allow students to specialize in environmental engineering and water resources engineering can be offered as graduate certificates, associate's degrees, bachelor's degrees or master's degrees. Depending on the degree path you choose, you may be able to finish your degree in just over one year, or it may take you several years to earn an online environmental engineering degree.

What Are the Top 10 Best Online Engineering Colleges?

From construction to civil engineering to electronics engineering, here are our picks for some of the top online engineering degrees and programs.

ITT Technical Institute. Online; various locations in AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NM, NB, NV, OK, OR, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI

Bachelor of Science in Construction Management. In this program, students gain an understanding of all the techniques and principles related to construction management, including legal issues and regulations like building codes; practical skills like site construction and measurements; and managerial skills like project management and safety management. Graduates are eligible for entry-level jobs in construction safety, construction estimating, construction project management, and more.

Electronics and Communications Engineering Technology. This program prepares students for entry-level jobs as electronics engineering assistants, technical consultants, electronic engineering sales representatives, telecommunications technician, field service representatives, and more. Students learn to develop and design communications systems in courses like C Programming in Linux, Electronic Circuit Design, and Data and Network Communications.

Industrial Automation Engineering Technology. Students involved in this program learn innovative ways to make factories more efficient. Classes cover topics in inventory control, quality control, maintenance, manufacturing methods, research and development, and process planning.

Computer and Electronics Engineering Technology. This computer and electronics engineering program is designed to prepare technically talented students for entry-level jobs as computer technicians, computer service representatives and electronic technicians. During the course of the program, students gain laboratory experience and study computer and electronic theory.

M.S. in Software Engineering. Walden's Software Engineering program welcomes experienced IT professionals who want to continue advancing their career and their understanding of the field. Specializations include design, management, project management, quality and testing, and self-designed. Students must complete 33 total semester credit hours and graduate with a 3.0 GPA. The program usually takes 18 months to complete.

M.S. in Systems Engineering. This highly collaborative and flexible program is designed for experienced systems engineers. Students can choose to complete the general program or pursue a specialization in operations. The program takes approximately 18 months to complete, and students must finish 33 total semester credit hours with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Technical Project Management Certificate. Walden's graduate certificates require completion of 12 semester credit hours, or four classes. Students must also earn a grade of B or better to graduate. Classes in this certificate program include Advanced Project Management and Strategy and Negotiation.

Engineering Management Certificate. Walden's Engineering Management Certificate covers topics in technology and operations, finance, and leadership, but it is designed especially for engineers.

Competitive Product Management Certificate. Engineers learn valuable business skills in strategy and negotiations, marketing and supply chain management in this 12-credit certificate program.

Software Project Management Certificate. Engineers gain a higher technical understanding of concepts like software specification and software quality management in this program. Students must complete all four courses and have a grade of B or higher to graduate.

Software Testing Certificate. Walden's Software Testing certificate is another technical engineering program that caters to experienced engineers. Classes include Software System-Level Testing and Software Unit and Integration Testing and Verification.

Systems Engineering Certificate. During the course of this 12-credit program, engineers will take classes like Systems Engineering and Analysis, Systems Optimization and Analysis, and Integrated Risk Management.

Master of Science in Civil Engineering. To complete this program, 21 of a student's 30 required classes must be in civil engineering. The program also features a three-credit research/investigation course and requires a thesis.

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering. Villanova allows students in this program to select one of the following concentrations: Systems and Signal Processing, Electromagnetic, Solid State Devices and Optics, or Electronic Systems. Students will take specialized courses and conduct their research around their concentration area.

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering. This well-rounded graduate program requires students to complete a minimum of 30 semester credit hours and to maintain a B average. To enroll, students must have studied at least one year of solid mechanics, thermal sciences, fluid mechanics, materials science and/or design, in addition to two years of basic math and science.

Master of Science in Water Resources and Environmental Engineering. In this program, students take advanced courses in river mechanics and engineering, hazardous waste management, surface water hydrology and more. They are challenged to analyze and solve water resource and environmental problems with practical engineering solutions.

Biochemical Engineering Certificate. Students accepted into Villanova's graduate engineering school can choose to participate in a certificate program that offers them extra technical training. The Biochemical Engineering Certificate requires students to choose two electives in areas like fluid dynamics, separation processes and more.

Communication Systems Engineering Certificate. Students must take four required courses and an elective course to graduate. Eligible students must already have a background in digital signal processing.

High Frequency Systems Certificate. Required courses offered in this certificate program include Microwave Theory and Tech I, Antenna Theory I and Introduction to Photonics. Students are also allowed to take one elective course.

Machinery Dynamics Certificate. This flexible program allows students to choose all of their courses. They must complete four electives that can range from Advanced Dynamics to Vibration Analysis.

Thermofluid Systems Certificate. Thermofluid Systems students also get to choose their classes. Courses cover topics in thermal management, computational fluid mechanics and more.

Urban Water Resources Design Certificate. Civil engineers and water resource professionals can benefit from this certificate program offered by the Water Resources and Environmental Engineering department. Students usually complete the program in 4-6 semesters, and they must complete four graduate level courses to earn the certificate.

Wireless and Digital Communications Certificate. This five-course certificate program plus two core courses if students do not qualify to be exempt from them. Elective courses include Multimedia Systems, Wireless Communications and others.

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering. This program was named one of the best online engineering degrees when it was ranked in the Top 50 Electrical Engineering Graduate Programs by U.S. News and World Report. and classes by experienced faculty members, almost one third of whom are IEEE fellows. Students also get to choose elective courses in other engineering departments.

Master of Science in Engineering Management. Drexel's M.S. Engineering Management degree is a multidisciplinary program that combines business theory and specific engineering systems theories. Students learn skills in technology management, engineering law, "green" engineering and more.

Master of Science in Software Engineering. Students pursuing their M.S. in Software Engineering from Drexel can choose one of two concentration areas: computer science or information science and technology. Besides learning cutting edge technical skills, students also develop the ability to analyze the behavioral and managerial side of software engineering.

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology. Indiana State's program stresses design and management skills and principles. Students learn about the design of mechanical tools and products, while gaining valuable people management and project management skills. Students are also allowed to pursue an accompanying Packaging Minor, which teaches the techniques involved in packaging design and management.

Keiser University. Online

Associate of Science in Aquatic Engineering. Students interested in careers in pool design, architectural design and construction will learn the skills they need to master the basics of the field. Classes include Heating Technology, Water Chemistry I and II, Pool Operation Strategies and Basic Electrical Technology. Students must also complete 24 credit hours of general education courses.

Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering Technology. Students can earn their B.S. in just three years if they are active year-round students. DeVry stresses the importance of mastering real-life skills and using the tools and systems that cutting edge electronics engineers currently use. The average salary for electronics engineers graduating from this program in was $42,479.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering Technology. Through this program, it is possible for students to earn a B.S. engineering degree online in just three years, if they study all year round. Real-world computer engineering professionals helped design this program to ensure that students would learn the appropriate skills, systems and tools needed to compete for jobs. The average salary for computer engineers graduating from this program in was $42,689.

Fire Protection Engineering. WPI offers a graduate certificate, advanced certificate and Master of Science in Fire Protection Engineering through its distance learning program. Students analyze theories and methods use in fire protection and fire behavior.

Environmental Engineering. Students learn theories and skills in developing water quality systems and water remediation systems. The program was introduced 25 years ago and is now offered online.

Master of Civil Engineering. Norwich University was the first private university in the country to teach civil engineering, and its special online graduate civil program can be completed in just 21 months. Students continue to develop their real-world technical skills while also learning new skills and theories in environmental and water resources engineering, project management, and more. The program is designed by full-time PhD faculty members, and class sizes are small, including just 12-17 students.

What is the Average Salary of an Engineer?

Engineering is a large industry that employs many niche groups, including software engineering, architecture and civil engineering, environmental and water resource engineering, manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering and more. Salaries and working conditions vary greatly according to each niche, especially depending on education level and work experience. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, however, outlines the average salaries that different types of engineers earned in May 2006. Nuclear and petroleum engineers earned the highest median salaries, at $98,380 and $90,220 respectively.

The average salary for chemical engineers was $62,410, while the average salary for computer hardware engineers was $88,470, electrical engineers earned $75,930, and environmental engineers earned $69,940.

Resources to Read When Choosing Engineering Schools

• Norwich University Civil Engineering Online. Even if you aren't interested in pursuing a Master of Civil Engineering, check out Norwich's program and curriculum overviews to get a good idea of how online learning should be organized. Norwich's program offers cohort systems, small class sizes, a curriculum designed by on-site faculty and a good explanation of available prerequisite courses. This type of program could be especially useful to students who are unsure about online learning or who desire a community-driven education despite their remote access.
• Software Engineering Institute: Carnegie Mellon. Prospective software engineering students can learn a lot about the industry and academic curriculum by viewing this course list from Carnegie Mellon. Not all schools will offer this many software engineering courses, but students can find out which angle of software engineering they're interested and use the list as a reference point when comparing other programs.
• Engineers. Read the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' general overview of engineering working conditions, earnings, job outlook and projections data. You'll find out that a bachelor's degree is usually required for entry-level jobs, regardless of the exact industry, and that engineers earn some of the highest starting salaries of any college graduates.
• Engineering Technicians. If you don't have the time to complete a full engineering degree right away, consider working as an engineering technician. You can get an overview of the nature of the work, required training, job outlook and even estimated earnings of different kinds of engineering technicians here.