Online Engineering Schools

Engineering is a profession which is involved in every facet of our lives. Civil engineers build the bridges we cross on our way to work; electrical engineers are involved in circuits which are used in your cell phone; and mechanical engineers are involved in the cars you drive. This profession is consistently growing. Competent professionals are constantly pushing the envelope; developing more innovative techniques to approach old problems, and having to face more complex challenges in a rapidly evolving world. Because of this, engineering schools have faced a high enrollment as well.

However, some students may not have easy access to the engineering program that they want to attend. The program could be too far away and too expensive. Some students may be past the normal college-going age, so they may feel uncomfortable attending classes with younger students. Recognizing the need to make courses more easily accessible, several online engineering schools have been recently established to cater to a growing interest in the field.

Admissions Requirements
The requirements for admission will depend on whether you are applying at an undergraduate or graduate level. Students applying for a bachelor's degree program need a high school diploma or a GED. They should also ideally have some background in mathematics, physics, and chemistry, but this may depend on the kind of engineering they wish to specialize in. Those applying at a graduate level will need to have an undergraduate degree in the same field, or a related one. For instance, applicants with a mechanical engineering background could apply to the mechanical engineering program or an aerospace engineering program at the master's level.

Courses
Your course curriculum will be the same as those of campus-based programs. In case the institution you apply to is entirely web-based, the course material will be approved by a formal engineering board before being introduced to students. As a result, you will be assured of the quality of the material.

Degree Program Duration
Typically, an undergraduate degree takes about four years to earn one, but this would vary based on how quickly you finish the material and the course load you take. Master's degrees typically take two years to earn, but this too, will vary depending on your time commitments.

Online Engineering Schools
An important benefit of online education is the convenience. Instead of you having to pack up and move to a new state to attend college or commute to it on a daily basis, the material is brought straight to your laptop or desktop computer. The cost per credit for most of these schools is also cheaper than their campus-based counterparts.

Online engineering schools leverage the accessibility of the internet and resources available, which allows students to freely discuss concepts with other students online. As long as you have a reliable internet connection and a  good computer, you will be able to find help virtually any time you need. Professionals who are in the engineering field with an undergraduate degree could continue working at their job while enrolled in a master's program, which would allow them to get the best of both worlds.