Online Engineering Schools in Washington, DC

Meet the Expert: Ekundayo Shittu, PhD

Dr. Ekundayo Shittu is a professor and chair of the department of engineering management and systems engineering at the George Washington University. His work centers on applying systems engineering and economic analysis to complex, real-world challenges, particularly in energy systems, climate policy, and technology investment under uncertainty. He earned his PhD from the University of Massachusetts and has developed expertise spanning operations research, environmental and energy management, and engineering economics.

Dr. Shittu’s research focuses on how stakeholders make decisions about renewable energy adoption and climate risk, integrating microeconomics with decision science to inform policy and investment strategies. His projects examine areas such as energy system resilience, technological innovation, and healthcare logistics, with the goal of improving decision-making in uncertain and rapidly evolving environments. He is also recognized for his leadership and commitment to teaching and mentoring the next generation of engineers.

OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com: What is something you wish the public understood about online engineering education in Washington, DC?

Dr. Shittu: Online engineering education has matured significantly and can be a powerful way to expand access to high-quality technical training, particularly in a city like Washington, DC, where many professionals are balancing demanding careers in government, industry, and the nonprofit sector.

For example, it is now common for engineers working at federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Energy, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, or the National Institute of Standards and Technology, private firms such as Charles River Associates, and think-tanks such as Third Way, Peer Consultants, etc., to pursue graduate engineering courses online while continuing their professional responsibilities.

Well-designed online programs can deliver rigorous analytical training, expose students to advanced modeling and decision-support tools, and connect them with peers and faculty across sectors who are solving complex problems in trustworthy artificial intelligence, energy systems, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and public policy. Thus, in these settings, online platforms can effectively deliver advanced material in systems modeling, data analytics, and decision science.

At the same time, engineering is fundamentally an innovative, collaborative, and applied discipline. The richest learning often occurs when students engage directly with faculty, work together on complex problems, and participate in hands-on experiences such as laboratories, design projects, and research groups.

For example, students working on energy systems research may benefit from participating in campus-based laboratory work, such as microgrid testing by experiencing GW’s electricity-generating infrastructure, renewable energy integration experiments through GW’s rooftop solar panels on campus, or prototype design activities.

Online programs can open doors, but in-person engagement—e.g., through labs, design studios, research meetings, and informal intellectual exchange—remains an integral part of engineering formation.

The most effective programs increasingly combine the flexibility of online learning with opportunities for meaningful in-person interaction, thereby offering students deeper insights into how theoretical models translate into enhancing decision-making related to real infrastructure and the development of technologies.

OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com: What advice would you give to aspiring online engineering students in the DC area?

Dr. Shittu: Prospective students wishing to pursue online engineering degrees should approach the experience with intentionality and strong engagement. Online courses can provide access to advanced analytical tools and frameworks, but the most successful students actively participate in discussions, collaborate on projects, and seek opportunities to apply what they are learning to real problems.

One of the advantages of studying engineering in Washington, DC, especially at GW, even while enrolled in an online program, is proximity to a remarkable ecosystem of institutions. Students can complement online coursework by attending public seminars, policy briefings, or technical workshops hosted by organizations such as the IMF, the World Bank, technology policy think tanks, or technology research events around the city.

Many students also gain practical exposure through internships or collaborative projects with agencies involved in artificial intelligence, energy systems, transportation, cybersecurity, emergency and humanitarian operations and response programs, and infrastructure planning.

I also encourage students to take advantage of in-person opportunities whenever possible, e.g., joining a research meeting on campus, participating in a design challenge, or attending technical lectures. These interactions often lead to mentorship relationships, collaborative problem-solving, and professional networks that complement online instruction. Engineering ultimately advances through shared problem-solving and hands-on exploration, and those experiences are often most powerful when people work together to solve real problems.

Online Master’s Degrees in Engineering in Washington, DC

Not surprisingly, aspiring engineers can attain greater employment and salary prospects if they have master’s degrees. Fortunately, there are several advanced, distance-based engineering programs from schools in Washington, DC.

Master of Science in Systems Engineering – George Washington University

At George Washington University, current or aspiring engineers can pursue a distance-based MS in systems engineering. This 36-credit program includes courses on the management of technical organizations, decision-making with uncertainty, a survey of finance and engineering economics, and knowledge management, among a number of other required classes. This program ultimately prepares students to take the Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) exam offered by the International Council of Systems Engineering (INCOSE).

• Location: Washington, DC
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Four nine-week quarters

Master of Science in Engineering Management – George Washington University

At George Washington University, current or aspiring engineers can pursue a distance-based master’s of science in engineering management. This 36-credit program includes courses on the management of technical organizations, organizational behavior for the engineering manager, a survey of finance and engineering economics, and systems engineering, among other required classes. Students may choose from four areas of focus to tailor their coursework: crisis, emergency, and risk management; economics, finance, and cost engineering; engineering and technology management; and environmental and energy management.

• Location: Washington, DC
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Four nine-week sessions

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering – George Washington University

George Washington University’s distance-based master’s of science in electrical engineering is designed for engineers seeking advanced technical specialization. This 30-credit program encompasses essential electrical engineering skills including electromagnetics, photonics, power engineering, renewable energy, and signal processing, with courses covering electrical power systems, machine intelligence, and electrical energy conversion, among others.

• Location: Washington, DC
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Four nine-week sessions

Master of Engineering in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning – George Washington University

Offered fully online by George Washington University, this master’s of engineering in artificial intelligence and machine learning is built for engineers looking to specialize in one of the fastest-growing areas of the field. The 30-credit curriculum is designed to build advanced expertise across core areas of AI and ML, with courses on machine intelligence, secure and trustworthy AI, and other specialized subjects. The program integrates theoretical principles with practical application, enabling students to design intelligent systems, engineer and deploy machine-learning-driven solutions, and apply neural networks and other AI techniques across diverse domains.

• Location: Washington, DC
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Four nine-week sessions

Master of Engineering in Cybersecurity – George Washington University

For engineers focused on protecting digital systems and infrastructure, George Washington University offers a distance-based MEng in cybersecurity. This 30-credit program offers two specialization pathways: Cybersecurity Policy and Compliance, which focuses on governance, regulatory compliance, risk management, and cybersecurity strategy; and Cybersecurity Analytics, which emphasizes threat analysis, security data analytics, anomaly detection, and incident response. Core courses include secure cloud computing and management of information and systems security, among others.

• Location: Washington, DC
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Four nine-week sessions

Master of Science in Applied Biomedical Engineering – Johns Hopkins University

At Johns Hopkins University in nearby Baltimore, MD, prospective engineers can earn an MS in applied biomedical engineering in an online or hybrid format. Prerequisite courses for this program include organic chemistry and molecular biology, among others. The program includes classes on physiology for applied biomedical engineering and mathematical methods for engineers, along with other specialized subjects. This program includes three possible focus areas/tracks: imaging, instrumentation, and translational tissue and engineering.

• Location: Washington, DC
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years

Online Engineering Programs – What to Consider

Anyone interested in an online engineering degree program in Washington, DC is encouraged to weigh the most important considerations prior to applying:

• Is attendance ever required throughout the program? If so, how often must students visit the campus?
• Are students able to complete practical experience credits in their home communities, or will they be required to travel to the university?
• What types of online student services does the school provide? Will the school assist with job placement after graduation?
• What is the total cost of the program?
• Can the program be completed on a part-time or full-time basis? Are students required to view online lectures at a certain time (synchronously), or can they study on their own schedules (asynchronously)?

These are only a handful of questions that prospective students should pose to program administrators before applying. Furthermore, applicants are advised to search for programs that are accredited and possess appropriate state authorization status.

Accreditation

As a note, graduating from an accredited program is not necessary to work as an engineer in some capacity. However, many employers only hire applicants who have a diploma from an accredited school, and many graduate schools or certification boards only accept applicants who have graduated from an accredited program. As such, it’s clear that there are significant benefits to searching for a program that has received accreditation.

Bear in mind, though, that not all accreditation organizations are the same; prospective students should search for programs that have received accreditation through one of the organizations approved by the US Department of Education’s Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), including:

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

• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Programmatic accreditation

• Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
• Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE)

State Authorization Status

Beyond accreditation, future students are advised to look for programs that have proper state authorization status, as well. In other words, students attending out-of-state online programs must ensure that they’re eligible to enroll. Students in Washington, DC cannot study in programs that aren’t authorized to operate in the area. Therefore, prospective students are encouraged to perform due diligence by searching for this information, which is often available online or can be provided by program staff.