Pursuing an Online Engineering Degree
Is a Remote Learning Engineering Program the Right Option?
Jun 12, 2009
For people with a full-time job, pursuing an online engineering degree can be an attractive alternative to a standard engineering education. Today’s broadband and internet-based application technology allow remote coursework to approach the quality and interactivity of live classrooms.
Choose an ABET-Certified Online Engineering Degree Program
For United States institutions, choose an online engineering degree program that has been ABET certified. The standards required for ABET certification are dictated by specific professions, so computer engineering degree standards are dictated by the computing profession, etc.
In many states, professional engineering licensure requires a degree from an ABET-certified institution. Coursework performed at an ABET-certified institution are more likely to be accepted as transfer credit at another engineering institution if the student wishes to transfer at a later date.
The ABET website provides information on institutions and engineering degree programs that have ABET certification. The bottom line is that an ABET certification shows that an engineering degree program meets rigorous professional standards.
Choose a Reputable Online Engineering Degree Program
Choosing the right institution is nearly as important as choosing the right engineering major. To potential employers, the source of an engineering degree can often be of key importance. Engineering employers like to see institutions that they are familiar with and know the quality of the program through their own experiences or those of their colleagues. Online engineering degree programs offered by an institution with a traditional in-house engineering program will be viewed as a more credible degree than those institutions that only offer engineering degree programs online.
Many institutions that offer in-house engineering programs also have online engineering degree programs available, but their offerings may be limited. Some engineering branches are not conducive to the online coursework format, particularly those that require extensive lab work, such as chemical or biomedical engineering, and availability of online engineering degrees in these branches may be limited or non-existent.
Choose the Right Online Degree Program Structure
In some cases, an entire engineering degree program can be conducted through an online program. In other cases, the bulk of the coursework can be conducted online with some key courses conducted on campus. A portion of the coursework could be conducted online, then the applicant can transfer his status to a full-time traditional program as his schedule changes. An applicant needs to decide which program structure meets their specific needs in terms of schedule, coursework availability, and cost.
Pursuing an engineering degree through an online program can meet the needs of students that cannot attend a traditional engineering program because of scheduling restrictions or limitations on local offerings.
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