Online Engineering Schools in Kentucky

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For aspiring engineers in Kentucky (KY), the state provides a wealth of opportunities in education, training, employment, and professional networking. To be sure, while 24,100 engineering and architectural professionals already have a job in the Bluegrass State, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2016), employment opportunities are only expected to increase in the coming decade. By illustration, the BLS (October 2016) predicted significant growth across various fields of engineering between 2014 and 2024, with the following areas experiencing the greatest development nationally: civil engineering (305,000 new jobs, 2014-24), mechanical engineering (292,100 jobs), industrial engineering (243,200 jobs), and electrical engineering (180,200 jobs). In percentage terms, the top-growing subfields were biomedical (23.1 percent increase in positions nationally, 2014-2024); marine (8.9 percent), and civil (8.4 percent increase).

In Kentucky, there are some engineering subfields expected to grow even faster. As proof of point, Projections Central (2017) anticipated that the following specializations would be the fastest growing in the coming decade: environmental (26.5 percent increase in positions, 2014-24); biomedical (24.6 percent increase); civil (15.3 percent increase); industrial (15.3 percent increase); and industrial (14.2 percent increase) . Notably, the above national and state-based projections are significantly larger than the average growth expected across all occupations nationally in the same decade (6.5 percent).

In addition to healthy job prospects, aspiring engineers in KY can look forward to earning a competitive salary, as well. While the average annual salary for all jobs in Kentucky was $41,760 (BLS May 2016), the average wage for architectural and engineering professionals was much higher ($70,280). And some types of engineers can expect to earn far more than that, with the following list highlighting some of the highest-earning engineering professionals in the state:

Aerospace engineers – $103,490 (average annual salary)
Electrical engineers – $87,640
Mechanical engineers – $83,140
Materials engineers – $80,160

Finally, there are a myriad engineering organizations and societies that operate across Kentucky. Here is a list of the most prominent engineering associations that offer support through continuing education, networking opportunities, events, advocacy efforts, training resources, and more:

Historically, aspiring engineers in KY would attend exclusively on-campus programs, but there’s a growing array of distance-based programs available in the state. While online engineering programs are a relatively new concept, they generally provide a high-quality education and can allow for much greater flexibility than their in-person counterparts.

This guide examines accredited online engineering programs in KY, including the expected coursework, costs, and three outstanding professors.

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KY Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Engineering

To secure employment as an engineer in KY, a bachelor’s degree is a typical entry-level education. In addition to the abundance of campus-based programs in the state, here are two standout online bachelor’s degrees in engineering. Please note that a majority of online engineering programs are at the master’s degree level due to the hands-on nature of the fundamentals taught in undergraduate courses.

Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering – Western Kentucky University

At Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, aspiring engineers can pursue an online B.S. degree in manufacturing engineering. Qualifying applicants must hold an associate degree and complete an additional 58 credit-hours in this program. Courses include basic electricity, robotics and machine vision, CADD for manufacturing, and various electives. Tuition for the 2017-18 school year is set at $510 per credit-hour.

Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology – Eastern Kentucky University

Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond offers aspiring engineers the chance to pursue a distance-based bachelor’s degree in fire protection and safety engineering technology. This program can be completed entirely online with courses on fire prevention, fire behavior and combustion, applied fire/safety analyses, fire protection systems, and hazardous materials, among others. Tuition costs $409 per credit-hour for the 2017-18 school year; since students must complete 120 total credit-hours of study, the cost for the entire program is $49,080, not including additional fees.

KY Online Master’s Degrees in Engineering

Pursuing an online master’s degree in engineering can help a person develop specialized competencies and knowledge in a given subfield of the profession and enhance one’s employability or earning prospects. Here are two distance-based programs to consider.

Master’s in Manufacturing Systems Engineering – University of Kentucky

At the University of Kentucky in Lexington, engineers can earn an online master’s degree in manufacturing systems engineering. All classes are offered entirely online, and students can choose between a thesis or non-thesis track. Furthermore, students can tailor their studies to fit a certain sub-specialization. Tuition for the program is set at $6,118 per semester for full-time students, excluding additional fees.

Master of Science in Engineering Technology Management – Western Kentucky University

Western Kentucky University of Bowling Green provides an online M.S. in engineering technology management. This program includes 33 credit-hours of study, covering subjects such as resource and project management, operations leadership, emerging technologies, and theory of constraints, among others. All courses are offered online, although students can choose to take select subjects face-to-face if they prefer. Tuition costs $707 per credit-hour. Additional fees may apply.

Other Online Engineering Programs in KY

Lastly, in addition to online bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering, there are various graduate certificates available through KY-based institutions as well. Here are two exceptional distance-based programs to consider.

Graduate Certificate in Data Science – University of Louisville

At the University of Louisville, computer engineers and others can earn a graduate certificate in data science. This program is entirely online, and can be completed in a 12-month period. The certificate program comprises 18 credit-hours, and covers courses such as data mining, bioinformatics, data warehousing, and computer algorithms, among others. Tuition costs $714 per credit-hour, making the total cost of the program $12,852. Please note that the school offers discounted tuition for both active duty and reserve members of the military.

Graduate Certificate in Manufacturing Systems – University of Kentucky

In addition to its excellent master’s degree program, the University of Kentucky provides a graduate certificate program in manufacturing systems as well. This 12 credit-hour program includes coursework in subjects such as the modeling of manufacturing processes of systems for factory information and control; mechanical vibrations; the rotordynamics of turbomachinery; and systems optimization, among others. Notably, credits from this program can be applied toward a master’s degree, should the student choose. The cost of this program is $648 per credit-hour, or $6,118 total for full-time students.

Online Engineering Programs – What to Consider

Aspiring engineering students should consider various factors in their program search, seeking out answers to the following queries:

What are the total costs of the program?
Can students complete the program on a part-time basis while still maintaining their current employment?
Does the school offer job placement assistance after graduation or any other student services?
How often, if ever, are students required to visit the campus for classes or other events?

Additionally, students are encouraged to verify their program’s accreditation and state authorization status.

Accreditation

Earning a diploma or degree from an accredited program is often necessary to obtain certain types of employment; to qualify for licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE); or to be granted admissions into some graduate schools. There are many organizations which accredit online engineering programs, but they’re not all created equal. Here are the most well-known and established accreditation organizations, which have been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education’s Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA):

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

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Programmatic accreditation

State Authorization

Although the issue of state authorization will likely not cause problems for Kentucky-based students attending distance-based programs based in their state, it is still something to consider for anyone attending an out-of-state online institution. Indeed, students in Kentucky are only eligible to study in online engineering programs that have received authorization to operate in the state. Most schools with online programs list this information on their websites (e.g., Western Kentucky University), and for those which don’t, students should contact student advisors to ensure eligibility.

Admissions Requirements

Lastly, drawing from real admissions criteria for online engineering degree programs in Kentucky and nationwide, here are the common admissions materials and prerequisites to apply:

Online Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering Requirements

Complete application and fee
An official transcript from a high school or GED program
Proof of prerequisite coursework
Competitive GPA (e.g., >2.75), particularly in math and science courses
Two letters of recommendation
SAT or ACT scores
A personal essay

Online Master’s Degree in Engineering Requirements

Complete application(s) and fee; please note that some schools require separate applications to the graduate school and engineering department
An official transcript from an undergraduate degree in engineering or a related field
Proof of prerequisite coursework
Competitive GPA (e.g., >3.0), particularly in math and science courses
Letters of recommendation
GRE scores
A statement of purpose

Online Graduate or Professional Certificate Requirements

Complete application and fee
An engineering bachelor’s degree
Resume or CV
Letters of recommendation
A personal essay

Online Engineering Professors in Kentucky

Here are three talented educators and researchers who lead courses in Kentucky-based engineering schools offering online programs:

Dr. Greg Arbuckle – Western Kentucky University

Dr. Greg Arbuckle is a professor within the Department of Architectural and Manufacturing Sciences at Western Kentucky University, where he also serves as the department chair. He is a member of a number of professional organizations, including the Association of Technology Management and Applied Engineering, as well as Epsilon Pi Tau. He has taught several courses at the school, including CADD for architecture, CADD for manufacturing, automated systems, and quality management, among others. His research interests include controls, automation, pneumatics, hydraulics, and AutoCAD applications.

Dr. William Hicks – Eastern Kentucky University

Dr. William Hicks is an associate professor within the fire and safety program at Eastern Kentucky University, where he also serves as the program coordinator. He works as the Chief of the White Hall Fire Department in Madison County, and is a member of the Madison County Rescue Squad and the Search and Rescue Coordinator for the Madison County Emergency Management Agency. Courses he leads include those on hazardous materials and various practicum classes. Additionally, he serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Fire Investigators, as well as on the Board of Directors of the NFPA’s Fire Science & Technology Educators Section.

Dr. Adel Elmaghraby – University of Louisville

Dr. Adel Elmaghraby is a professor within the Department of Computer Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Louisville, where he also serves as the department chair. As of July 2017, he had advised over 60 master’s graduates and 24 doctoral graduates. His research and publications cover intelligent systems, neural networks, cybersecurity, visualization, and simulation. Some of his research interests are network and information forensics, biomedical imaging, multimedia and virtual reality systems, and artificial intelligence. Finally, his academic experience includes work in performance evaluation, simulation, and information security and forensics.