The definition of engineering is the practical application of science to the commercial or industrial industry. Simply put, engineering is the creation, by mankind, to develop and test different concepts that do not exist organically in nature. The field of engineering is extremely diverse due to this broad definition. A degree in engineering typically is focused upon a particular field of engineering to help center a student’s studies. Some of the most common fields in engineering include:

• Aerospace Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Biological or Chemical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Naval Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Industrial Engineering

A degree in engineering allows for the student to obtain a position in a growing field that has great job advancement potential, earning potential and job security. To obtain an entry level engineering job, one typically needs to obtain at least a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Certain fields require an advance degree for even entry level jobs.

With the growth of the internet, many universities and colleges are now offering coursework for students online so that they can obtain a degree without ever stepping foot into a physical classroom. This option is important to many students who want to maintain their current job while working towards an engineering degree.

What schools offer accredited Engineering degree programs online?

BS in Electronics Engineering	BS in Software Engineering	MS in Systems Engineering
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As previously stated, many schools now offer online engineering degrees. Different schools offer different engineering programs, specialties and academic degrees. Online degrees that a student can obtain in engineering range from associates degree to master’s degree.

Below you will find a list of accredited schools which offer online engineering degrees:

Devry University

Online Engineering degrees available: Bachelor’s in Electronics Engineering Technology, Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Contact Information:
One Tower Lane
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
Website

Walden University

Online Engineering degrees available: Master of Science in Systems Engineering

Contact Information:
650 South Exeter Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
Website

Penn Foster College

Online Engineering degrees available: Associate Degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Associate Degree in Civil Engineering Technology, and Associate Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology

Contact Information:
14624 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Website

What coursework is required to acquire an Engineering Degree?

Engineers design, plan and develop construction of buildings, highways, and transit systems. They develop methods to extract and process raw materials, such as mineral mining, and engineers also can develop products to help advance technologies, medicine and science. All of these job fields require a significant amount of education to obtain the knowledge necessary to succeed. There is a basic core level of engineering courses that a student will need to take to be an engineer and then they will take additional courses focused upon their concentration. Below is a list of basic coursework that is typically required for a student to obtain an Engineering degree:

• Introduction to Engineering, which should introduce the student to the general concept of engineering and also supply the student with an initial amount of knowledge into the different concentrations and specialties of engineering.
• Mathematical courses, which are a building block to the more advance level engineering courses makes basic engineering coursework heavily mathematically driven. These courses typically consist of calculus, linear algebra, and vector geometry.
• Science courses, which are typically focused upon physics, are important because they educate the student on the physics principles which are necessary to learn many different forms of engineering. In addition to taking numerous physics classes, an engineering student may also need to take entry level chemistry course along with several chemistry and physics lab classes.
  

What jobs opportunities are available with an Engineering degree and what income can one expect with this degree?

Engineers hold 1.8 million jobs in the United States (2008). The most common employment concentrations of engineering are in the following order: civil engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, and electrical engineering. Thirty-six percent of all engineering jobs fall under the field of manufacturing industries, and thirty percent of engineering jobs are in professional, scientific and technical industries.

In addition to obtaining an engineering degree, many engineers must be licensed to work in their profession. These licensed professionals are called Professional Engineers. To become a professional engineer, one must obtain a degree from a school accredited by the Accredited Board for Engineering and Technology, work for four years in the field and complete a written state exam.

According to the United States Government, the field of engineering is expected to grow faster than average through 2018. It is projected that the overall field of engineering will experience an eleven percent increase by that date. The actual data on expected growth is based upon certain engineering fields. Environmental engineering is expected to be the fastest growing field of engineering over the next eight years. The concentrations of biomedical, civil, and industrial engineering are expected to be faster than average growing fields. The starting income for individuals who have a bachelor’s degree in engineering is amongst the highest of all college and university undergraduate degrees.

The mean salary for engineers depends upon concentration, with agricultural engineers earning $81,085 per year and ceramic engineers earning $126,788 per year. The earning potential definitely ranges based upon the type of engineering one practices, with the median highest paying specialty being petroleum engineering.