Schools with Accredited Online Engineering Courses: How to Choose

Engineers design many different types of machines as well as motor vehicles, aircraft and even highways. Online engineering degrees are common at several levels, with bachelor's and master's degrees being the most common.

How to Choose an Online School for Engineering

Degree Focus

Online engineering degree programs may have many different focuses. Among them are civil engineering, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering. Other engineering programs may be specific to a particular industry, such as refrigeration engineering, robotics engineering or aircraft engineering. Online degrees are available at both the bachelor's and master's degree levels. Students should choose a degree based on what type of engineering career they wish to pursue and what degree level they require for their current goals.

Student Time Commitment

Some online degree programs are offered in a primarily synchronous format in which students must attend class at a certain time in order to participate in voice or video conferences or watch streaming video lectures from professors. Normally, this type of program also has set assignment due dates and is designed for full-time students or even as an accelerated degree program. More commonly, online classes are asynchronous, requiring students to participate in class discussions via message board and to submit assignments and tests only by a class end date. Students should choose a program that fits their time requirements.

Online Program Options for Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Engineering

A bachelor of science in engineering may be a general program covering many different types of engineering, but more commonly, degree programs are designed specifically for a particular branch of engineering such as electrical or mechanical engineering. Normally, these classes offer students some scheduling flexibility, but bachelor's degree programs are more likely to be offered synchronously than master's degree programs.

Master of Science in Engineering

Master's degrees in engineering with no specialization are more common than bachelor's degrees without a specialization, but most master's degree students may also choose a sub-field of engineering for their master's degree if they wish, even in a general program. Normally, master's degree programs in engineering are offered asynchronously to allow working adults to attend class and continue to work full time.