Distance Learning Engineering can Make You a Real Engineer!
Distance learning engineering is nowadays offered by more and more universities, colleges, and polytechnic institutes, thanks to breakthroughs in
course delivery like the internet, virtual labs, instructional design, and interactive content. What it Involves Distance learning engineering mainly
involves taking either a BS or BE in any of the engineering branches; a BS in Engineering Technology; an MS or ME in any engineering branch or its
specialization; or a PhD in a specialization of an engineering branch; through the online or distance mode. While accredited MS and ME degrees are
available for most engineering branches and their specializations, from many universities, accredited BS and BE degrees through distance learning
engineering are offered only by a lesser number of institutions. Also, distance learning engineering for undergraduate degrees offers only fewer
engineering branches as majors. It is more common to find among bachelor degrees branches like computer science/engineering, electrical
engineering, environmental engineering, and quality control/assurance. In many other branches, aspirants will have to opt for a hybrid program with
some element of on-campus study during evenings or holidays. However, many universities offer BS degree completion programs in many branches,
through distance learning engineering, which means that you need to have prior experience and credits from some other undergraduate engineering
program. However, BS degrees in engineering technology through distance learning engineering are widely available. Why Engineering?
Engineering is one of the most attractive professions due to the huge demand in the job market, high starting salaries, enormous scope for
specialization, and the requirement of only a bachelor's degree to scale even the heights of this profession. With more than 1.2 million engineers
working in the field, it is the USA's second-largest profession, and provides starting salaries to the tune of US $50,000 per annum to fresh engineers
with just bachelors degrees. No wonder, each year, 100,000 new students enroll for engineering courses, in the USA. Why Distance Learning
Engineering? Universities and colleges nowadays use the latest course delivery methods like the internet, streaming video, video conferencing, virtual
labs, instructional design, interactive content, CD, video tapes, on-the-job training, etc, to create a rich experience, which comes close if not being
better than a real engineering campus. Most universities also don't differentiate between their regular engineering degrees and distance learning
engineering degrees, making it a viable option for those who can't accommodate a regular course into their schedule. Universities, Colleges and
Courses for Distance Learning Engineering BS, MS, and PhD degrees in various branches of engineering are nowadays available under this delivery
model. Also available are specialized certificate courses and 2-year associate degrees. It is always better to go for an accredited course, the best
accreditation being that of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). But finding and getting admitted to an ABET accredited
distance learning engineering course will not be very easy, as, even in regular engineering education, only 15% of the Universities and Colleges have
at least one undergraduate engineering course accredited by ABET. Also, ABET accreditation is not the only criterion to look for. Many prestigious
universities, colleges, and polytechnic institutes offer courses that are highly regarded by the industry and the academic world, but which are still not
accredited by ABET. One of the universities offering ABET accredited courses through distance education is University of North Dakota. UND has
four ABET accredited BS degrees in engineering - chemical, civil, electrical, and mechanical. The format of course delivery is online. But, generally
speaking, ABET accredited courses tend to be hybrid courses with some element of on-campus study. California National University for Advanced
Studies offers a BS in Engineering with electives being computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, environmental engineering,
mechanical engineering, and quality assurance science. Kennedy-Western University offers Bachelor degrees in computer science, electrical
engineering, environmental engineering, and quality control. Kansas State University offers an MS in chemical, civil, electrical, and mechanical
branches, with course delivery through internet, video, and CD. North Carolina State University offers an MS in chemical, civil, and mechanical
engineering. The course delivery is over video. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Iowa State University both offer MS degrees in
electrical and mechanical branches. While University of Illinois exclusively uses the internet for delivery, University of Iowa uses a combination of
streaming video over the internet, CD, and video tape. University of Tennessee offers MS in civil engineering, for which the delivery is through the
internet. University of Illinois, Iowa State University, University of Tennessee, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute are some of the institutions offering
specialized Graduate Certificate Courses through distance learning engineering, while North Carolina State University offers undergraduate level
Certificate Courses through this mode.
About the Author
Jim Zorn is web master of the Guide to Distance Learning. Please visit to learn more about online colleges and universities, distance learning degrees,
majors and courses offered. http://www.guide-to-distance-learning.com/index.html