Engineering Bachelors Degree Online
Is an Engineering Degree for You?
Engineering is a challenging and exciting field of study with numerous career opportunities. Those who excel at math and science and enjoy working with people are well suited for engineering. Engineering is an expanding field and encompasses several different specialties. Students who are enrolled in an engineering degree program will choose a concentration of study in an engineering specialty, such as mechanical, civil, chemical, industrial and electrical engineering. All engineering fields have a strong foundation in mathematics and the physical and life sciences. Students will use science and math to solve technical problems on a daily basis. Engineering majors will also design and conduct experiments in laboratories, and use their data interpretations to develop logical solutions to complex engineering problems. They will spend a great deal of time working with state-of-the-art technology and advanced computer programs to produce and study designs, as well as simulate and test machines and systems. In addition to the technical aspects of engineering, students will also learn about the environmental concerns and quality control challenges today's engineers face. Engineering degree programs foster leadership and a commitment to bettering society, while challenging students to identify and solve engineering problems.
Advice for Earning Your Engineering Degree Online
An online engineering degree is a convenient alternative to attending classes on a college campus. Online students can get the same degree as on-campus students and have time to balance work and family demands. Many online colleges allow you to take exams online, while others require students to take exams in person at the nearest campus. The most important thing you can do before enrolling in a distance engineering program is make sure that your degree and online college are both accredited. An accredited school must be reviewed by an accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Students can earn their online degree from several 2-year and 4-year universities and online colleges. Accredited online engineering degrees are viewed positively in the job market and are respected by employers as a credible degree. As online degrees become more widespread and popular, employers have started to see the benefits and advantages of earning a degree online. Online engineering majors are held to the same standards as traditional students because they are doing the same rigorous academic program. They also take the same kinds of classes and conduct similar experiments, except online students do so in the comfort of their home.
Required Courses
Each engineering curriculum varies based on the chosen specialty, but all students will be required to take courses in mathematics and physical and life sciences. Most engineering majors will take physics, chemistry and calculus before or in conjunction with their introductory engineering courses. Some common sophomore and upperclassmen classes include statics, thermodynamics and materials. Once students choose an engineering specialty, they'll start taking classes that are specific to their area of study.
Common Career Paths
Engineering students will have many unique and exciting career opportunities waiting for them after graduation. Most graduates will find work within their engineering specialty, but they aren't limited to do just that. Some might obtain basic research positions, or advance to technical specialist or project management positions to oversee a staff or team of engineers and technicians. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, most engineers worked in civil, mechanical and industrial engineering in 2008.
Starting Salary: $42,516 to $53,599
Mid-Career Salary: $64,234 to $90,057
Learn More About a Career in Engineering
