Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available

Today’s online master’s in engineering programs offer concentrations that prepare students for careers in the many sub-disciplines in engineering. There are common concepts and principles related to all the concentration areas, including advanced research methodology, analytical and statistical modeling, technology essentials, and evidence-based assessments and solutions. Students can earn a generalist online master’s degree or choose a concentration leading to specific careers in the field.

Common Specializations for an Online Master’s in Engineering

The following section explores the specializations and degree sub-disciplines that are available for online master’s in engineering students. The descriptions provide insights into the curriculum and skills offered in the concentrations, along with the careers that graduates can pursue with their degree.

Online Master’s in Engineering Admission Requirements

Potential students should investigate admission requirements for the online master’s in engineering programs that appeal to their career aspirations. Not all requirements are the same for each university since they’re established by the graduate school and the engineering department. There may be pre-requisites, credit transfer stipulations, and requirements for GRE scores. The following five admission requirements are common to most online engineering master’s programs.

• Bachelor’s Degree: Degree requirements may vary by online engineering graduate programs. In general,  applicants are expected to hold a baccalaureate or a master’s degree in engineering, mathematics, or a related major from an Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredited institution.
• Recommendation Letters: Applicants mustprovide two-three recommendation letters from former professors or engineering employers documenting their undergraduate accomplishments, career experience/performance, personality assets, and academic research potential. Depending on the program, recommendations may be submitted electronically.
• Application Essay: Schools typically require a one-two-page personal statement detailing engineering interests, career plans, and why the university program is well-suited to the student’s education goals. 
• Transcripts: Applicants must submit official transcripts documenting undergraduate and graduate coursework and accomplishments. They are also used to certify that the applicant has earned an undergraduate degree with the minimum required GPA.
• GRE scores: All students not graduating from an ABET-accredited undergraduate engineering program located in the U.S. are required to take the GRE® General Test. Average scores required for admission range from 160-164.

Online Engineering Master’s for Non-Engineers

Many online engineering schools require graduate applicants to hold a baccalaureate degree in engineering or a related discipline. But it’s still possible for non-engineers to earn an accredited online master’s degree if they leap through some hoops. Students with undergraduate degrees in technology, mathematics, or biology may satisfy admission requirements. You may be required to complete undergraduate prerequisite courses prior to admission. For example, Boston University’s Late Entry Accelerated Program (LEAP) prepares students with bachelor’s degrees to undertake an engineering degree. Undergrads that majored in Education, Business, Liberal and Fine Arts work with graduate faculty members to design a pre-entry program to build a foundation in engineering.  Non-engineering students will find that an online engineering master’s degree is certainly attainable.

Skills Gained in an Online Master’s in Engineering Program

To succeed in their engineering niche, students must develop soft and hard skills applicable to all concentrations in the field. These are learned through multiple avenues, including online courses, internships, and hands-on problem-solving. Whether it’s communicating with peers, solving business problems, or leading a research project, graduate engineering students must hone their skill sets for success. Here are five critical engineering skills to pursue no matter your degree specialization:

• Analytical thinking: In the workplace or in research, analytical and critical thinking involves the collection and synthesis of data to formulate a solution to an engineering problem. The outcome is evidence-based, not intuitive.
• Project management: Whether they are conducting their own research or leading a team of engineering professionals, engineers depend upon project management skills to control the scope, planning, and efficiency of the outcome.
• Communication: Clear communication between an engineer, peers, and administrators is an indispensable skill. Engineers must tailor their communications at the technical level suited for the target audience, including concise communication in oral and written communications.
• Computer science fundamentals: Engineers must know how to analyze algorithms and data structures related to their examination of probability and statistics.
• Creativity: The ability to develop unique solutions to engineering and business problems is a skill often overlooked by engineers. Computational and data analysis do not, on their own, adapt findings into a process specifically aimed at the individual project.

Accreditation for Online Master’s in Engineering Degrees

Accreditation is an essential factor in choosing an engineering school. The accreditation process is voluntary and involves program evaluation by an independent agency with a specialization in engineering. The accreditation review evaluates the content of a university engineering department and determines if the program meets the quality standards required for the professions, including licensing or certification preparation. If a student is seeking Federal financial aid or planning to advance into another degree program, they must be enrolled in an accredited university.

Accreditation is conferred by national or regional agencies. The main distinction between the two is that while nationally accredited institutions accept transfer credits from regionally accredited schools, regionally accredited universities may not accept credits from nationally accredited schools. There are six regional accreditation agencies in the nation. In engineering, the most-important accreditation is from the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET). It is the industry standard. Additionally, universities offering online degrees often obtain accreditation from the Distance Education & Training Council (DETC). To learn all you need to know about accreditation and whether your potential program is accredited, visit our Accreditation Guide.

Unlike student loans, scholarships and research grants do not need to be repaid. Students are encouraged to check with their universities to see if there are institutional or departmental scholarships. Better yet, you should explore the array of graduate engineering scholarships from professional associations that help pay for tuition or engineering research. Here are a few to consider:

• Sigma Xi Grants in Aid of Research Who Can Apply: Open to graduate students in engineering and computer science. For vision-related research, students receive awards of $2,500. Funding can be used to support research travel and required equipment. Amount:$1,000.
• George B. Hightower, P.E. Fellowship Who Can Apply: Applicants must be currently enrolled in a graduate engineering program or a graduate of an ABET-accredited program. Prospective recipients must submit a completed application, transcripts, recommendations, and an application essay on career goals. Amount:$3,000
• Society of Women Engineers Who Can Apply: A total of 233 scholarships are offered each year by the society. Applicants can apply for one or more of them if they are women in graduate programs pursuing careers in computer science, engineering, and technology engineering. Amount:$500 on average
• (ISC)² Graduate Cyber security Scholarship Who Can Apply: Open to students specializing in cybersecurity or information assurance in their first or second year of a master’s degree program. Applicants may be studying online on a full- or part-time basis. Amount:Up to $5,000
• Imomoh Scholarship from the Society of Petroleum Engineers Who Can Apply: Applicants must be pursuing a master’s degree in petroleum engineering and hail from a Society of Petroleum Engineers Africa country. The society has an electronic application. Amount: $2,000.

Graduates of online Master of Engineering degree programs are qualified for advanced roles in the range of engineering professionals. Based on their experience and specialized learning, they can choose from advanced roles in various engineering fields. Some may choose to prepare for several career pathways. While a graduate degree does not automatically guarantee earnings or specific employment, the following table explores potential earnings, projected employment growth, and professional responsibilities.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Professional licenses in engineering are required in all 50 states. Voluntary certifications are available to benchmark your skills and knowledge base. Investigate the licensing requirements for the state in which you plan to practice and certifications that can widen your career options. 

Why is it important to be a certified engineering professional?

The benefits of licensing and certifications and multi fold. The National Society of Professional Engineers reports that professionals with a PE typically earn more, have greater career opinions and flexibility, increased authority, and prestige.

How can I stay up-to-date on my engineering certifications?

According to the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying, engineers are licensed at the state level. Each state creates its own licensing requirements, organizations, and recertification requirements. In general, engineers must complete advanced continuing education to renew certifications.

How do I receive licensure and certification? 

There are varied requirements for obtaining licenses and certifications, but the common denominator is successful testing by professional engineering organizations in the discipline. To sit for the exam, applicants must hold the appropriate degree and a minimum number of years of experience.

What are some examples of certifications and licenses I should consider? For those in entry-level occupations, licensing is not generally required. -The Professional Engineering (PE) license is generally required to advance in the field. The following section provides more detailed information about state licensing and certifications:

• State Licensure: The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying maintains links to licensure for each state. New York requires licenses from the New York Board for Engineering and Land Surveying and in Texas, the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.
• General Certifications: The more common general certifications for engineers include The Certified Quality Engineer, certifications from The American Society of Civil Engineers, The Systems Engineering Professional Certification, and National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies.
• Industry-Specific Certification: Board certifications are available that relate to engineering specializations. For example, professionals can earn a Geotechnical Engineering (D.GE) certification, a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), and the Professional Software Engineering Master Certification.

Online masters of engineering students have access to their university’s resource library and reference materials. At the same time, students can broaden their professional expertise, keep up with engineering trends and standards, use online engineering tools, and view white papers and webinars in their specialty. Here are some resources worth exploring:

• National Society of Professional Engineers: The NSPE provides a comprehensive range of resources for engineering students, including free courses, career advice, a job board, and licensing procedures. The society also offers paid-training courses for the profession.
• Engineering.com: This online resource offers webinars on engineering best-practices, white papers, eBooks, a job board, and industry news. There are also trade-specific tools such as  Air Flow Conversion Calculators, Air Flow Conversion Calculators, Atmospheric Calculators, and links to articles on online master’s degrees..
• Born to Engineer:  The British site Born to Engineer provides an exceptional round-up of resources, including listicles and podcasts on topics including engineering products, soft-skills engineering, innovation in engineering, smart infrastructure, and machine learning.
• ExpressPCB: This manufacturer of free PCB layout and design software has a wealth of tools to help engineers. They include PCB Trace Width Calculator, Tektronix, TDS-1000, Mitutoyo Calipers, Digi-Key, PIC-Servo, AppCAD, and more.
• Library of Congress Science Reference Services: The Science Division of the Library of Congress is a warehouse for resources including free online engineering courses, Engineering societies and associations, Federal engineering standards, non-governmental resources, national laboratories, and technical information.