Online Engineering Schools in Louisiana

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As the engineering industry continues to grow in Louisiana and throughout the nation, more individuals are choosing to pursue a career in this field.

First, there is an abundance of professional organizations which offer members benefits such as continuing education, member advocacy, discounts on common occupational expenses, scholarly journals and newsletters, and other resources. Here is a handful of the professional engineering societies that exist in Louisiana: the Louisiana Engineering Society, the American Society of Civil Engineers – Louisiana Section, the Louisiana Engineering Society Student Chapter, and the Audio Engineering Society – University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Second, there is expected to be ample job growth in engineering in coming years, which can translate into higher job security. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2016) reported that there were 31,590 architecture and engineering professionals in the state; Projections Central (2017) added that the following subfields of the discipline would be among the fastest growing in Louisiana between 2014 and 2024:

Materials engineering – 34.2 percent growth in Louisiana positions, 2014-24
Computer hardware engineering – 21 percent
Environmental engineering – 19 percent
Computer programmers – 18.6 percent
Chemical engineering – 15.5 percent

Interestingly, all of these projected growth figures were much higher than the national projections (BLS Oct. 2016):

Materials engineering – 1.3 percent growth in national positions, 2014-24
Computer hardware engineering – 3.1 percent
Environmental engineering – 12.4 percent
Computer programmers – -8 percent
Chemical engineering – 1.8 percent

Nationally, the subfields adding the highest absolute numbers of jobs were:

Civil engineering – 305,000 new positions by 2024
Mechanical engineering – 292,100
Industrial engineering – 243,200
Electrical engineering – 180,200
Electronics engineering – 135,500

Notably, engineers in Louisiana and beyond receive an extremely competitive salary compared to other occupations in the state. In fact, the BLS (May 2016) found that the average salary for all engineers and architectural professionals in LA was $83,800, whereas the average wage for all occupations was only $41,260. Furthermore, some types of LA-based engineers earned much more such as materials engineers, who garnered an average annual salary of $110,400.

Overall, many aspiring engineers are attracted to the profession for the prospects of relatively high job security (i.e., employment growth) and lucrative salaries. Of course, prior to becoming an engineer, it’s necessary to complete a formal education program—typically at least a bachelor’s degree. Some students choose traditional, brick-and-mortar campus experiences, but there’s a growing array of online programs as well, which can be excellent options for students living far away from colleges campuses or have scheduling constraints which don’t allow them to visit a physical campus several times per week. In short, distance-based programs can offer a generous amount of flexibility while still providing a high-quality education.

This guide includes an overview of various online engineering programs in Louisiana and expected coursework, as well as a few renowned professors who teach courses at schools offering online degrees.

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Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Engineering in Louisiana

The first step in the career of many aspiring engineers and computer programmers is typically the pursuit of a bachelor’s degree. Here are two online bachelor’s degree programs available from Louisiana-based institutions:

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – Southern University and A&M College

At Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, aspiring software or computer engineers can pursue an online BS in computer science. This online program exposes students to fundamental concepts such as software engineering, computer organization, database systems, management information systems and operating systems, and a variety of computer applications. Tuition for fall 2017 was $4,333 per semester for full-time students, not including additional fees.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems – Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Although not technically an engineering degree, the BS in computer information systems from Northwestern State University of Louisiana is closely related to computer and software engineering. This program requires students to complete 120 hours, 80 of which are within the computer information systems core subjects. Students are also able to specialize in areas such as application development, core programming, networking and system management, and web development. Tuition for this program was $375 per credit-hour each semester up to 12 hours, and $100 per credit-hour thereafter.

Online Master’s Degrees in Engineering in Louisiana

Although many aspiring engineers embark on their careers after obtaining a bachelor’s degree, others choose to earn a master’s degree, as well. These advanced degrees are generally necessary to achieve positions in high management; conduct in-depth research; and secure additional opportunities.

Master of Science in Engineering Management – University of New Orleans

At the University of New Orleans, aspiring engineers can earn an online MS in engineering management. The school provides a focus on systems engineering innovation, if students desire this specialization. The program requires 30 credit-hours in order to graduate, including either a thesis or additional electives. Classes in this program are project management, engineering and innovation management, technology entrepreneurship, and qualitative analysis of engineering management, among others. Tuition fees for Louisiana residents who are taking at least nine credit-hours is $8,892 per semester.

Master of Science in Engineering – Louisiana Tech University

Louisiana Tech University of Ruston provides an online MS in engineering with a focus in industrial engineering. This program can be completed entirely online and does not include a thesis portion. Courses include manufacturing and operations analysis, operations research, facilities planning, professional development, statistical analysis for six sigma, and economics and decision-making, along with a number of other core and elective classes. Tuition for a three-credit course is set at $774 for in-state students, although this does not include any associated fees.

Other Online Engineering Programs in Louisiana

In addition to online bachelor’s or master’s degrees, there are other distance-based programs available, including these two certificates.

Graduate Certificate in Coastal Engineering – University of New Orleans

At the University of New Orleans, aspiring engineers can earn an online graduate certificate in coastal engineering. This program requires four courses: coastal processes, sediment transport and dredging, ocean and coastal engineering, and the design of coastal and hydraulic structures. The classes are all offered in a dual format, meaning that students can complete these either online or in-class. Tuition rates are not readily available for students in this graduate certificate program, and those interested should reach out to the school directly for more information.

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Construction Management – Louisiana State University

At Louisiana State University based in Baton Rouge, students can complete an online post-baccalaureate certificate program focusing on construction management, which is offered through the School of Engineering. This 18-credit-hour program generally takes six to 12 months of continuous study, and includes courses on construction materials and methods, construction estimating, construction scheduling and cost control, structural principles and practices, mechanical and electrical systems, and construction contracting. Tuition is set at $326 per credit-hour, bringing the total cost of the program to $5,868, not including additional costs or fees.

Online Engineering Programs – What to Consider

Before signing up for an online engineering program, aspiring students are encouraged to perform due diligence and get answers to the following questions:

How much does the program cost?
Are campus visits required throughout the program?
What type of resources are available to distance-based students?
Will the school assist with job placement after graduation?
Can the program be completed on a part-time basis? Does it have to be continuous, or can students take breaks?
What have past graduates gone on to do?

Furthermore, applicants should also determine whether or not their programs are accredited and retain proper state authorization status, as well.

Accreditation

Accreditation is one of the most important attributes of an online engineering program; while graduation from an accredited program is not always required in order to work as an engineer, many employers and almost all graduate schools may include this as a prerequisite for hiring or admissions.

Not all accreditation organizations are created equal, and prospective students should look for programs that have been accredited by one of the organizations approved by the US Department of Education’s Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Although other accreditation agencies do exist, it is often difficult to verify their credentials.

Accreditation agencies are generally broken down at the programmatic, national, and regional levels. Here is a list of CHEA-recognized organizations that offer accreditation for online colleges in Louisiana:

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

Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)

State Authorization

In addition to researching accreditation status, it is imperative that prospective applicants determine whether or not their selected programs retain appropriate state authorization, as well. Specifically, students are only eligible to study in online engineering programs in Louisiana that are authorized to operate in the state. Fortunately, this isn’t an issue for students attending distance-based programs located in their own state of residence and the information is often readily available on a school’s website (e.g., University of New Orleans); for those schools which don’t have state authorization pages online, students are encouraged to contact admissions staff to determine eligibility.

Admissions Requirements

While admissions criteria vary by institution and degree level, they are generally similar across on-campus and online programs. For example, the master of science in engineering degree from the University of New Orleans asks for:

Completed application and fee
Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0
- Applicants with a GPA of between 2.5 and 3.0 may be considered for probationary admission on a case-by-case basis
Minimum GRE score of 300 (verbal and quantitative sections)
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, mathematics, or a related applied science
- Applicants without a bachelor’s degree in engineering must complete a core foundation of general engineering courses

Other common application materials for online engineering programs include course prerequisites, personal statements or essays, letters of recommendation, candidate interviews, and resume reviews.

Online Engineering Professors in Louisiana

In general, some of the most talented professors in the engineering industry lead classes at schools that offer online engineering degrees. As such, the following provides a brief overview of three of these educators:

Dr. Charles Berryman – Louisiana State University

Dr. Charles Berryman is a professor in the Department of Construction Management within the School of Engineering at Louisiana State University, where he also serves as the department chair. His research interests include energy-efficient building, educational pedagogy, sustainable building materials, soil stabilization, virtual environments, and decision support systems. He teaches mechanical and electrical systems and sustainability, among other areas. His published work appears in an array of influential professional journals, including the Journal of Management in Engineering and the Journal of Technology Studies, among others.

Dr. Lothar Birk – University of New Orleans

Dr. Lothar Birk is an associate professor within the School of Naval and Marine Engineering at the University of New Orleans, where he also serves as the undergraduate program coordinator and the department chair. His research interests include form parameter based hull design; hydrodynamic shape optimization and optimization algorithms; wave-body interaction, stochastic analysis, and panel methods; and design assessment criteria. His recent work has appeared in impactful publications such as Applied Topics in Marine Hydrodynamics, Marine Systems and Ocean Technology, and Ocean Engineering.

Dr. Jun-Ing Ker – Louisiana Tech University

Dr. Jun-Ing Ker is an associate professor of industrial engineering at Louisiana Tech University, where he also serves as the program chair. He has supervised more than 80 senior and graduate design projects during his tenure at the university, and his broad research interests cover machine vision technologies, quality engineering, and lean-six sigma applications in manufacturing and service industries, among others. He was the recipient of the 2011 Outstanding Team Teaching Award from the College of Engineering and Science, as well as the 2013 Outstanding Faculty Recognition Award from the Institute of Industrial Engineers for the Southeast Region.

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...