Online Mechanical Engineering Technology Training Programs

Mechanical engineering technicians help develop and test all kinds of machines under the supervision of mechanical engineers. Online programs in mechanical engineering technology are typically found as degree-completion programs that allow those who have completed an associate's degree in a related field to earn their bachelor's degree through distance-learning methods.

Online Mechanical Engineering Technology Education

Although mechanical engineering technicians may only need an associate's degree, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, online training in this field is not typically available at the associate's degree level. Bachelor's degree programs in mechanical engineering technology, however, can be found online as a degree-completion program. These programs require students to complete an on-campus associate's degree program in a related engineering discipline first.
Students can then start work while participating in an online bachelor's degree completion program. That way, individuals can enter the job market quickly while working toward higher-level education credentials in their own time - perhaps with the aim of improving future promotion and salary prospects.
Mechanical engineering technology degree completion programs are often available through community or technical colleges. They typically result in a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology, and they can be completed in two years or less, depending on a student's schedule and prior scholastic achievements, such as an associate's degree.

Online B.S. in Mechanical Engineering Technology Degree

Because mechanical engineering is one of the broadest of the engineering disciplines, mechanical engineering technology programs aim to give enrollees a wide range of skills and abilities that are applicable in many industries. Students learn the basics of how mechanical devices work, from the mathematics, geometry and physics involved in their construction to the physical processes that create them. Unlike mechanical engineering programs, mechanical engineering technology programs focus more on practical applications and less on theory and research.

Coursework

Courses within a mechanical engineering technology degree program include topics in automation, tool design, manufacturing processes and machine design. They may also address tools, new technologies and quality control. Depending on what general education classes a student has already completed at the associate's degree level, they may need to take additional units in math, physics and the humanities.

Content Delivery

Students may use textbooks, audio files, video files and other Web-based content to complete their curriculum. They typically need no more than an up-to-date computer with standard operating systems and browsers, though some schools may have specific hardware and software requirements; for example, a mechanical engineering technology program may require students to use computer-aided design software. Students may also be able to interact with instructors during their office hours, held through videoconferencing.