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Engineering is an ever-evolving, ever-expanding field that touches every aspect of human life. Even with the rapid expansion in electronic tools to facilitate higher-level design and building tasks, engineers are finding newer, deeper challenges all the time. That's why so many are extending their education into graduate school. They need to keep pace with technology as well as a workforce that increasingly expects the most knowledgeable and skilled workers.

As you read the following page, you'll learn about the Maters of Engineering degree in more depth than you've probably found before. You'll also find valuable lists of schools that offer degrees in the specific engineering fields you wish to pursue. You may even discover interesting options that weren't obvious before.

Engineering Degrees & Career Paths

PROS

• Engineering is a highly academic field. While you can pursue a fruitful career with a bachelor's degree, you will find that your career is able to reach greater heights when you go the extra distance and achieve a master’s degree. Depending on your state's requirements, you might also find it easier to achieve your Professional Engineer credentials once you have a higher academic degree. State boards might have lower experience requirements if you have a greater degree but, since each board has individual rules, you’ll need to consult your state’s Board of Engineers.

• Your master’s degree will pay off in other ways, too. In the workplace, you will find it's easier to move into a supervisory position. You will find that your earnings rise in accordance with your academic credentials. You might also find that you can attain more certifications with your graduate degree than you could with a bachelor’s. Furthermore, if you desire an added academic certificate, such as a graduate certificate in management, your existing graduate degree will help immensely when it comes time to apply.

CONS

• Though there are many positive aspects of a master’s degree in engineering, there are also drawbacks. For one thing, you can still become a Professional Engineer with only a bachelor's degree. It might take a bit more time, but you can attain those credentials without the added debt you are likely to have once you complete your master’s degree. Since no degree comes with an iron-clad guarantee of a high salary, you might need to consider the financial risks involved. Furthermore, a master’s degree will take up to three years to complete, if not longer if you take courses part-time. That is time you could spend in the workforce, accruing hands-on experience and knowledge, which may or may not exceed what you learn from a university.

Overview of a Master's in Engineering

What Engineering Master’s Degrees are Available?

Master of Science: This degree is a more traditional, academic science degree. That's because it's focus is more on peer-reviewed coursework and independent research. MS students usually work on a thesis project that is often assumed to be preliminary to their work at the doctoral level. However, you won't be expected to pursue a PhD at the end of your MS degree. In general, the MS degree gains marginal favor in academia. What will matter most is your coursework and your research projects. As for the working world, your MS degree will carry the same weight as an MEng or ME degree.

Master of Engineering (MEng or ME): This degree type is commonly thought of as a professional degree rather than one based on research. That means that to earn the degree you will need to complete a series of courses rather than conduct a research project. Keep in mind that every program is different, but you can expect your MEng (or ME) program to include an experiential learning component, such as an internship or other field experience. One possible drawback to this degree is that you might have a harder time entering a PhD program or pursuing jobs in academia. However, a solid work record of achievement can likely overcome that obstacle at most universities.

Admission Requirements to Enter a Master’s Program

To gain acceptance into a master’s engineering degree program you will have to provide a number of documents. Every program will at least require copies of your undergraduate transcripts as part of your application. You will also need letters of recommendation and possibly GRE scores. Your GRE scores should reflect high analytical abilities. While GRE scores seem to be falling out of favor, you can always bolster your chances for success if you include them with your application.

If you've been working in the field for a few years, you should consider including your resume. However, check with the admissions office or website to verify whether this is a requirement. Some programs might specifically exclude this, and you don't want to include items they particularly don't want.

How long does it take to earn a Master’s Degree in Engineering?

Depending on your program, a master's degree in engineering can take as little as a single year to complete, but some students take an extra semester to finish. Many engineering programs these days are offering combined undergraduate/graduate programs that allow you to seamlessly pass from your undergrad studies into a graduate program. This will allow you to graduate from the school in five years and have a master’s degree.

Since bachelor's degrees are increasingly depreciated in the market, you might consider one of these combined programs as a way to expedite the academic portion of your career. If you want to get into the workforce as quickly as possible, you should resist the impulse to take a part-time load or to take a semester off. Keep yourself focused on your academic and career goals.

Engineering Associate’s Degree

There are many community colleges that can prepare you for a brilliant career in engineering. Some of these two-year programs are designed to provide a bridge to a state university's school of engineering. As such, these programs often offer a prescribed, term-by-term, course of study to groom you for success. With that said, many students complete their associate's degree in engineering and then embark on lifelong careers in the field.

One chief advantage of starting out at a community college is that you can make up for any academic shortcomings you might have. In high school, you might not have realized that you wanted to pursue engineering so didn't take the higher math or science courses. A community college can help you get back up to speed for an engineering career.

AS YOU WORK TOWARDS YOUR ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE, YOU MIGHT TAKE SOME OF THE FOLLOWING COURSES:

• Electrical Fundamentals, I

• Co-Op Education: Engineering

• Calculus, I & II

Engineering Bachelor’s Degree

When you graduate with an undergraduate degree, you will be prepared to launch a brilliant career. You can start working on becoming state licensed and think about attending graduate school. Your license and graduate school aspirations will depend on how well your undergrad school was accredited. That is, it must be ABET-accredited to qualify you for licensure and likely for most graduate schools. However, if you wish to steer in a new direction, an MBA program likely won't need ABET credentials and can set you up for management positions with a focus on engineering projects and companies.

Another benefit of a bachelor's degree is that you can focus on the specific area that intrigues you. You could major in civil, aerospace, mechanical, or industrial engineering for instance. You will need a total of +-120 hours to complete your bachelor's degree. Along the way you might take courses that include, but are not limited to:

HERE ARE A FEW SAMPLE COURSES:

• Solid Mechanics Design

• Viscous Flow and Heat Transfer

• Fundamentals of Photovoltaics

• Mechanobiology

• Concrete Materials

• Urban Hydrology

Engineering Graduate's Degree

These days, a graduate degree is more and more important. That imperative extends to Engineering. When you arrive at the decision to add a graduate degree to your growing list of credentials and achievements, you may need to decide whether to take a more academic or professional track. That is, there are graduate programs that focus on thesis work, teaching, and a life in academia or research. Other programs focus on professional life, including technological innovation, corporate environments, and management.

When you decide on graduate school, you'll probably wish to enhance the knowledge and skills you have developed in your chosen field, such as mechanical engineering. However, you could decide to apply your engineering skills to the world of business and add an MBA to your resume. Many financial wizards started off with engineering degrees. Nonetheless, if you dive into an MS in an engineering field, you can focus on one of the following areas:

HERE ARE A FEW SAMPLE COURSES:

• Aerospace Engineering

• Bioengineering

• Computer Science

• Electrical Engineering

• Energy Systems

• Railway Engineering

• Mechanical Engineering

Engineering Fields of Study

Aerospace Engineering: With a degree in Aerospace Engineering, you can truly go where no one has gone before. Even if you spend your time working on airplanes and terrestrial-bound flying machines, you will be at the forefront of transportation technology. Some Aerospace Engineers are even starting to design prototypes for civilian aircraft that may someday replace automobiles. Courses include:

• Mechanics of Aerospace Structures

• Aerospace Dynamical Structures

• Aerospace Decision Algorithms

Bioengineering: We don't often think of ourselves as systems or subject to engineering, but Bioengineers certainly do. As you study this field, you will need an extensive knowledge of biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics to create things like prosthetics, medical devices, and even pharmaceuticals, among other exciting projects. Courses include:

• Conservation Principles

• Modeling Human Physiology

• Circuits and Systems

Computer Engineering: We take computing for granted, but we are just starting to understand what is possible with this powerful technology. Where most computing programs tend to focus either on hardware or software, as a computer engineer, you will be steeped in both. You will have a full working knowledge of circuit boards as well as the software that inhabits them. Sample courses include:

• Programming

• Computer Systems Engineering

• Computer Security

• Distributed Systems

Engineering Physics: Since physics tackles questions related to time, space, matter, and energy, this field of study might be the very backbone of Engineering. Graduates with this degree are found in diverse fields such as: nuclear medicine, astronomy, solar energy, coastal science, and laser science, among others. As you progress in this field, you might take courses such as:

• Electricity and Magnetism

• Thermal Physics

• Mechanics and Relativity

• Quantum Physics

Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering: We were brought into the nuclear age by engineers in the NPRE field. Nuclear and radiological engineers help in solving problems or advancing industries and civilizations; for instance, those in this field help design nuclear power plants, work on energy policy issues, and create nuclear propulsion plants for the U.S. Navy. A few courses you might take include:

• Modeling Nuclear Energy Systems

• Neutron Diffusion Transport

• Radiation Protection

• NPRE Design

Earning Potential and Career Salaries for Engineering Major Graduates

When you embark on an engineering career, you will find a wide range of paths to choose from. Each will offer its own struggles and rewards for a professional. Note that you can practice in any of these areas with as little as an associate's degree, or as much as a masters. With an associate's degree, your salary and responsibilities are likely to be in the bottom tier for your profession. However, with each greater degree, your earnings grow considerably. For instance, with a bachelor's degree, you can achieve a state license and then start your own engineering firm or stay at your firm as the lead engineer on larger projects.

• Civil Engineer:

In this career, you can become involved in a wide range of projects; you could build bridges, dams, or stadiums. Civil engineers are involved in a wide range of projects that impact people's lives in ways they might not realize. For instance, some build huge tunnels that ensure that cities don't flood in the event of major rainstorms. When you do your job right, nobody will ever know.

• CAD Technician:

CAD Technicians are vital to the functioning of any engineering or architectural firm. They rely on instructions from engineers to realize their designs and plans for a project. A CAD Technician needs only an associate's degree, but they can have long and fruitful careers as they grow and develop. In fact, you could possibly start your own business and contract with smaller engineering firms who cannot afford full-time design assistance.

• Marine Engineer:

If it goes in the water, there's a good chance that a marine engineer has helped design it. Highly skilled marine engineers work to create large ships, yachts, and oil rigs. Not only are they experts at creating devilishly creative structures, but they have designed them to withstand the punishment of the ocean. This is like designing a building to withstand daily earthquakes for fifty years. Your knowledge of structures, materials, and mechanics will all play a role in this demanding field.

• Water Resources Engineer:

Water is fundamental to life. Thus, it's fundamental to how buildings, neighborhoods, and whole cities operate. Consider that Los Angeles would not be the city it is today had there not been a team of genius Water Resource Engineers ready to shift water down to the burgeoning metropolis. You could also work on water storage and purification or discovering innovative ways to source clean water.

• Railroad Engineer:

As populations grow, there is an increased need for trains of all sorts. We need trains to transport goods across the country, but cities also need rail systems to ease traffic woes. Your engineering skills will be put to great use creating intra-city and regional rail transportation that is speedy, safe, and runs on time.

• Electrical Engineer:

Electricity is everywhere. Therefore, Electrical Engineers are always in demand. You can work with high-voltage systems in the power grid, creating alternative solutions to our energy needs, or designing and maintaining cellphone systems.

• Construction Management:

Engineers work on individual systems within a wider whole. Construction Managers make sure all the engineers, tradesmen, architects, etc. can work together and pull off a project within the budget and on time. Some trained engineers work in construction management, as they are highly skilled at ensuring that complex systems work smoothly.

• Aerospace Engineer:

An airplane is a fine-tuned system that relies on aerospace experts to ensure that it flies properly and that it has all the subsystems necessary to keep pilots informed of internal and external conditions. There is talk these days of flying cars and so the demand for this specialty could be about to explode. What Henry Ford did for the internal combustion engine and inefficient automobiles, you can do for personal aircraft.

• Mechanical Engineer:

If it has a motor, it needs a Mechanical Engineer. With a vocational degree, you can work on engines and keep them running. With a bachelor's degree, you can start designing complex mechanical systems that provide the propulsion behind automobiles, airplanes, and trains, among many other things. Other Mechanical Engineers work with HVAC systems, healthcare equipment, or even mechanized toys.

The Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree program is designed to give students a solid foundation in the science and engineering of building. Students can expect to take courses that relate to the field they wish to pursue. Many of these courses will take them through the various aspects of building, from structural to electrical to mechanical and even chemical. Those who choose this program will benefit from their education in general engineering and will also develop skills that are valuable in the fields of mechanical, chemical, and electrical engineering.

Mechanics is a major that gives students an excellent foundation in the concepts of mechanics. Mechanical engineering is the science of using mechanical systems to create useful products. Mechanics is designed to teach students about mechanical systems so that they can use these systems in their engineering careers. The coursework may include courses on calculus, differential equations, mechanics of fluid mechanics, and electromagnetism as well as classes that focus on materials, heat transfer, mechanics of heat, and fluid mechanics.

Electrical engineering is the study of electricity and its applications. The program focuses on the study of the electrical systems of all types and how they interact with each other. Students will be able to build their understanding of how electricity flows through motors, generators, and batteries and then apply this information to the structure of materials and the flow of power through these systems. The program will provide students with the skills necessary to design, build, and maintain various electrical systems that exist today.

Chemical engineering is the study of chemical reactions. Students will learn the various types of chemicals that make up the various products that we use every day. Chemical engineering is focused on the uses of chemical processes to make the most efficient products that can be produced. This includes the creation of different materials such as plastics, polymers, coatings, and fuels.

Chemical engineering programs are very popular because it is a very practical field that will require students to carry out a great deal of laboratory work and laboratory demonstrations. Some classes will allow students to conduct their own experiments on the real world as well as performing experiments in the lab. Those who choose this degree will be prepared to design, build, and implement various processes for the manufacture of various materials. as well as the process for analyzing these materials to ensure they are as safe as possible.

Mechanical engineering is focused on the application of principles of physics and engineering in the design and manufacturing of machines. Mechanical engineering will also train students to create and design systems that will function in certain ways. Mechanical engineers will be responsible for designing and building and developing various types of systems that will be used in many different areas of the workplace.

Chemical engineering is also similar to mechanical engineering in that the emphasis is more on the study of the actual physical properties of substances as well as their ability to react with the environment. Chemical engineers will also develop the various techniques used in making the different types of chemicals used in the different industries as well as the processes used for making the different chemicals. Students in this program will use the knowledge of these properties and processes to help make improvements in all areas of the chemical industry.

When choosing your degree you will want to consider the importance of these three important skills. These skills will help you succeed in almost any career that you choose. When choosing a field, it is important to decide what area is best suited for you and what interests you. You can also look at what career options are available to you and see if they would fit your needs.

Engineering is an affordable area that is ever expanding and likewise advancing. As a result, the professionals who operate in these occupations are expected to have an academic history that prepares them suitably to stay on top of the most present technologies in the location. While design is a very hands-on line of work where a lot can be grabbed from the workplace, looking for an university is a helpful methods to proceed a job in this market.

A master's in style will certainly not simply open possibilities for specialist innovation in the workplace, however improve your making possibility in this affordable sector. As an engineer, you likely presently spent 4 or even more years of late nights as well as extensive hours making your bachelor's degree. As a result, determining to go back to university to make a master's can be a significant option, especially if you are not in a place to take a year off from work to seek your education and knowing.

Going after an extra degree is a possibility to remain existing with one of the most approximately date emerging modern technology, gain experience of the economic implications of your task, take a much deeper research study a certain location of rate of interest and boost your undergraduate education and knowing as well as work environment experience to boost the top quality of your job.

While these programs can deepen your understanding of the facet of engineering that you currently run in, finishing a better degree can furthermore be a brilliant choice if you want taking your profession in a new direction. A second level can be your opportunity to concentrate on a different place than what you examined in your undergraduate occupation, or a nuanced specialized of your present area.

A master's can be specifically useful if you do not have the chance to acquire the specific experience you need in your existing positioning. When it involves pursuing a higher level, you have the choice to choose either a master's or a doctorate in style. A master's, the a lot more typical of both, will prepare you for a great deal of market positioning's that do not involve research study.

Making a higher level supplies you the opportunity to enhance your specialized understanding of a specific area, providing you extra competence on your return to along with what you have actually found out experientially in the office. While a master's can bring about an income increase in the positioning that you hold today, it can furthermore open doors for brand-new features, either in your existing work environment or within a new company.

If you greater than satisfied in your workplace however plan to reveal your potential for innovation, seeking a master's level could be the ideal following action for your profession. For great deals of professionals, the option to pursue a master's level is appealing, yet it could be tough to visualize taking sufficient pause to complete a degree.

By seeking your level remotely, you will absolutely be able to proceed in your present engineering establishing if you so choose, functioning full or part-time. The flexibility of the program will definitely enable you to do your coursework as well as also take note of talks at the time and area of your picking, customizing your education and learning as well as discovering around your responsibilities in the workplace.

For these factors in addition to even more, on the net engineering degrees are becoming increasingly popular alternatives for professionals working in the sector. If you prepare to advance your career in style by looking for a master's, think of signing up in an on the internet program today. Not just will you value the occupation and wage benefits that support a greater degree, yet you will certainly have the ability to do so with the additional economic savings as well as likewise convenience offered by remote discovering.

When you're taking into consideration checking out a Masters in Style level, there are different facets that you need to consider, such as exactly how much it will certainly set you back to take a trip, simply how you'll preserve your work while you study, or just how hard admission will definitely be. If these facets are activating you anxiety and anxiety and likewise fear, or possibly transforming you much from the idea of a Master's level, you might be curious about investigating online.

The minute that you would have spent traveling can be spent studying, implying that you can acquire extra out of your level. By investigating online, you do not have to relocate from the comfort of your own residence you do not need to take a trip to courses on countless schools, conserving you both money as well as time.

If you pick to study online, nonetheless, you do not need to compromise anything in addition to time to invest examining. Analyzing a level online recommends that you can do your task from the convenience of your really own home, or if you uncover it much easier to operate in an university arrangement, you can go to a town library just a few blocks away, limiting traveling time and also establishing you back absolutely nothing.

It's not a shock that studying at university can be ridiculously costly, with most of students combating to obtain part-time job while they function. Among the most awful parts of most likely to college, however, is quitting a job that you currently have and likewise love, and that's where truth benefit of online analyzing starts.

To much better save a bit even more time, consider handing over a few of your establishment tasks to this essay developing remedy, so you'll obtain even more time for your task as well as family members. The most vital factor that you need to think about examining your Masters in Style online is that it will significantly improve your work prospects.

An on-line degree is just as important as a traditional one, so do not think that business will turn nose up at you for obtaining it this way. Online degrees are a fantastic approach for individuals that simply do not have the time or cash money to commit to taking a trip or relocating to a school that is miles far from their home.

Engineering Scholarships

• Eugene C. Figg, Jr. Civil Engineering Scholarship

Amount: Varies

Deadline: February 10

This scholarship is exclusively for undergraduate juniors and senior studying civil engineering in an ABET-accredited institution. You must be a U.S. citizen, a student member of the ASCE in good standing, and have a passion for bridges. The award amount varies from year to year, depending on the endowment's current income. When you win, the endowment will add the award to your student account, to be credited to your tuition.

• Admiral Grace Murray Hopper Scholarship

Amount: $1,700

Deadline: May 1 (Freshman), February 15 (Sophomores-Graduate)

This $1,700 scholarship is awarded to three women per year. You must be in an ABET-accredited engineering program, a woman, and have significant academic accomplishments to show. Further, this particular scholarship tends to favor those studying computer engineering or a related field.

• American Transmission Co. Scholarship

Amount: $2,250

Deadline: June 30

This scholarship is awarded to second-year through senior undergraduate women who are studying engineering. You must be an outstanding scholar with a cumulative GPA between 3.0 and 4.0 and have a home and school address in one of the following midwestern states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin.

• UPS Scholarship for Minority Students

Amount: Up to $4,000

Deadline: November 15

UPS sponsors this scholarship program through IISE, the Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers and is available to any minority student in North America. That includes the entire United States and all of its territories, Canada, and Mexico. Students must be enrolled in an accredited, undergraduate degree program majoring in industrial engineering.

• UPS Scholarship for Female Students

Amount: $4,000

Deadline: November 15

If you are a woman enrolled in an ABET (or other agency) accredited industrial engineering degree program, this scholarship is well worth applying for. Through the IISE, UPS awards $4,000 to a single industrial engineering student annually. You needn't be a member of IISE nor attending any specific school. The chief qualifying quality of your education is that it be accredited by an agency recognized by the IISE.

Choosing an Accredited College

Choosing an accredited college is a vital decision for any engineering student. Whether your school is accredited by the ABET or not will determine a lot of your future choices. While not everyone wants or needs to become a professional engineer with state licensure, you cannot achieve that credential without a bachelor's degree from an ABET-accredited institution.

Online vs On-Campus vs Hybrid

Many programs these days are offering Engineering majors online, on-campus, and via hybrid programs. You might be able to complete an online Bachelor's in Engineering while working part-time for an engineering firm. In fact, you could possibly work on a project with a firm, then return to either online or on-campus courses for a term or two. Online learning platforms offer flexibility, which opens up many opportunities.

On-campus engineering programs are the more traditional method and they are still more popular. With engineering, you don't necessarily need to be on campus. However, some fields will make online learning harder, as you won't be able to reproduce a working laboratory at home.

Since online education is still a nascent phenomenon in the engineering world, there are a few hybrid programs out there that seek to bridge the gap between online and on-campus learning. These programs carry on primarily online, but you will need to attend seminars or other events at scheduled times throughout the course of your education. These meetings allow you to meet fellow students in person, as well as your instructors. Putting a human face on your online experience can help deepen it in meaningful ways that will benefit your long-term learning.

Additional Questions

Does the College Have Post-Graduate Job Placement Help & Assistance?

If you are going to spend a lot of time and energy to attain an engineering degree, you will certainly want some job placement assistance as you near graduation. Discuss this with your admissions counselor when you are considering the right program. In fact, you might want to broaden that discussion by asking about how your school handles internships and if co-op programs are available. Experiential learning can help you not only gain the skills needed to land a job, but you can also cultivate a professional network that will help you build the career you deserve.

Why You Need to Consider the Overall National Rankings of the College and The Effects on Your Career or Salary

National rankings mean a lot in the Engineering world. After all, the field is composed of people who constantly measure and compare values. When you graduate from a top school, your resume will immediately open doors and you will find that your paycheck reflects the hard work it took to graduate from a top school. That is, employers see graduates from top schools as worthy investments and employees that will help propel their firms to the next level. Further, when you decide to pursue a graduate degree, you will have an easier time getting into your first-choice program if you’ve attended a well-known school.

This does not mean that you should use school rankings alone to make your decision on which school to attend. However, if you come to a stalemate in your selection process, with two or more options seemingly equal, you could use rankings to break the tie and help you choose the best college to attend.