Online Engineering Schools in Connecticut

Connecticut is perhaps one of the best locations on the East Coast to begin a career as an engineer, especially in the fields of mechanical, civil, or industrial engineering. In fact, Projections Central (2017) reported that these specific subfields of engineering were expected to grow significantly between 2014 and 2024: mechanical engineering (1,250 new positions added in CT, 2014-24), industrial engineering (370 new positions), and civil engineering (200 new positions). Considering the relatively small population size, these predicted increases and the current demand for qualified professionals underscore the bright career outlook for engineers in this state.

Additionally, these numbers mirror the national averages, which also anticipated rapid growth in many engineering fields. Specifically, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (October 2016) found that virtually all fields of engineering are expected to grow significantly by 2024; for example, environmental engineering was slated to see 12.4 percent growth, while biomedical engineering was expected to outpace the rest swelling 23.1 percent in that same decade.

Also, engineers who currently work in Connecticut enjoy a competitive salary, especially when compared to other workers in the state. For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2016) provided that while the average annual salary for all positions statewide was $57,960, those in engineering and architectural positions earned a mean salary of $84,550 per year, with some earning much more such as computer hardware engineers ($101,790) and nuclear engineers ($115,670).

Finally, along with the promises of a lucrative job and relative job security with explosive job growth, Connecticut engineers enjoy the support and benefits offered by numerous professional organizations. Groups such as the American Society of Civil Engineers – Connecticut Section and the Society of Women Engineers – Connecticut Section, among others, provide an array of benefits to members, including scholarly journals and newsletters, professional advocacy, continuing education, and networking opportunities.

To become an engineer in Connecticut, one must typically have at least a bachelor’s degree in the field. Though some of these future professionals are enrolling in traditional, campus-based programs, many others are completing accredited online degrees for the greater degree of scheduling flexibility provided.

The guide below describes various types of online engineering degrees available in Connecticut; exceptional professors from these universities; the application process; and other useful information for anyone considering this path.

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Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Engineering

Unfortunately, no schools exist in Connecticut that currently offer an online bachelor’s degree in engineering. That said, a number of neighboring states host institutions that provide these degrees, two of which are detailed below:

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering – Stony Brook University

Stony Brook University in New York offers an online BS in electrical engineering. All courses can be completed online and are taught by faculty members at Stony Brook University, the University of Buffalo, and Binghamton University. Furthermore, students in this program have access to a personal tutor and a personal concierge, who acts as a single point of contact for any questions they may have. This program covers the same coursework as the on-campus degree, and takes four years to complete. Tuition for out-of-state residents is set at $8,000 per academic year, along with $1,640 in additional fees.

Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering – Penn State University

Penn State University has an online campus—the Penn State World Campus—which offers an online BS in software engineering. This program requires students to complete 126 credit-hours, and covers courses on discrete mathematics, probability and statistics, computer programming, object-oriented methodology, software design, software validation and verification, software security, and computer networks. Additionally, students are required to take other core and elective courses. Tuition costs vary depending on the circumstances of the student; the school provides a table of tuition rates to help applicants assess their customized costs.

Online Master’s Degrees in Engineering

A master’s degree can help an engineer develop additional specialization in their field, which can translate to a higher salary, management opportunities, and even positions in academia. For anyone interested in continuing their education beyond a bachelor’s degree, the following highlights two viable options, one online degree in Connecticut and one in nearby Massachusetts:

Master of Science in Environmental Engineering – University of New Haven

The University of New Haven offers an online MS degree in environmental engineering. This program requires students to complete 30 credit-hours in order to graduate, and classes are approximately seven weeks in length. Students complete courses such as water quality, water purification, wastewater treatment, solid waste management systems, site remediation, and emission control measures. Graduate online tuition is set at $890 per credit-hour, bringing the total cost of this program to $26,700.

Master of Science in Engineering Management – Northeastern University

Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts offers an online MS in engineering management, which is designed for engineers who are interested in managing technology-based programs. This program includes 32 credit-hours on subjects such as engineering project management, economic decision making, engineering probability and statistics, and deterministic operations research, as well as a number of electives. The total tuition for the 2016-17 school year was $47,072, and the program takes two full-time years to complete.

Other Online Engineering Programs

In addition to the online bachelor’s or master’s degrees in engineering, there are other program pathways such as associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas.

Graduate Certificate in Plastics Engineering Fundamentals – University of Massachusetts at Lowell

The University of Massachusetts at Lowell offers a graduate certificate in plastics engineering fundamentals. Students in this program must complete two core courses on advanced plastics materials and advanced plastics processing, as well as two elective courses on mechanical behavior of polymers, polymer structure properties and applications, or plastic product design, among others. Tuition for online graduate students is $575 per credit-hour; the total cost of this program is $6,900.

Online Engineering Programs – What to Consider

Before applying to an online engineering program in Connecticut or one of the surrounding states, future engineers are advised to perform adequate research to ensure they know what to expect. For example, prospective applicants should determine the full cost of the program; how long it generally takes to complete; whether the program can be completed on a part-time basis; if campus visits are necessary; and if the school assists with job placement after graduation. These are just a handful of questions that prospective applicants should pose to the school before applying.

In addition, applicants should also search for schools that retain both accreditation and appropriate state authorization status, the importance of which is detailed below.

Accreditation

Accreditation status is one of the most important considerations in searching for an online engineering degree program in Connecticut or one of the surrounding states. In fact, graduating from an accredited program is often necessary to secure financial aid for further studies, or even as a prerequisite for employment.

That being said, not all accreditation carries the same weight; instead, applicants should search for programs that have been approved by the U.S. Department of Education’s Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). To help with this search, the following includes a short list of various agencies that provide accreditation at the regional, national, and programmatic levels:

National accreditation

Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)
Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET)
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)

Regional accreditation

New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)

Programmatic accreditation

Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)

State Authorization

Before applying to an online engineering program, prospective applicants must determine if the program is eligible to operate in the state; this is typically referred to as “state authorization status.” Often, this information is generally published directly on a school’s website (e.g., University of New Haven), and for those schools which don’t have it, prospective students should contact admissions staff to determine eligibility.

Admissions Requirements for Online Engineering Programs

Although the admissions requirements for online engineering degree programs vary by institution, many programs retain the same criteria for on-campus and online programs. For example, here are the admissions prerequisites for the online master of science in environmental engineering program offered by the University of New Haven:

Completed application and fee
A GPA of 3.0, as well as an undergraduate degree in engineering
- Students without a 3.0 undergraduate GPA or a degree in engineering are encouraged to submit a resume or CV detailing their educational and professional accomplishments, as well as a brief personal statement describing their interest in this program
Two letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources
GRE scores for candidates with an undergraduate degree in a field other than engineering

Other common application materials include specific course prerequisites, candidate interviews, work experience, and test scores.

Online Engineering Professors in Connecticut

A number of talented educators currently lead courses in schools that offer online engineering degrees. Here are two professors in the state who are renowned in their field:

Dr. Jean Nocito-Gobel – University of New Haven

Dr. Jean Nocito-Gobel is a professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of New Haven, where she leads courses on civil and environmental engineering, as well as engineering and applied science. She has participated in a wide array of professional development activities, including a poster presentation at the 2005 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition and the ASCE ExCEEd Workshop in 1999 at the West Point Academy. Her work has also appeared in a number of proceedings such as the 2005 and 2004 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conferences.

Dr. Agamemnon Koutsospyros – University of New Haven

Dr. Agamemnon Koutsospyros is a professor within the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of New Haven, where he leads courses on sanitary engineering, hydraulics and environmental laboratory procedures, biological treatment of aqueous wastes, contaminant fate and transport, solid waste management, and hazardous waste treatment, among a number of others. His work has appeared in a number of professional publications, including Land Contamination & Reclamation, the Journal of Hazardous Materials, and the Journal of Environmental Quality.

Jocelyn Blore

After graduating from UC Berkeley, Jocelyn traveled the world for five years as an English teacher and freelance writer. After stints in England, Japan, and Brazil, she settled in San Francisco and worked as a managing editor for a tech company. She’s recently become interested in the underrepr...