Online Engineering Schools in Louisiana

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 online bachelor’s degree programs offered by Louisiana-based institutions:

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – Louisiana State University of Alexandria

Louisiana State University of Alexandria’s Department of Math and Computer Science offers an online bachelor of science program in computer science where students will learn to use mathematics, computer programming, algorithms, and data structures to solve a variety of computational problems.

This 120-credit program includes courses such as Introduction to Computer Programming; Data Structures and Algorithms; Ethics in Computer Science; Discrete Structures; Cybersecurity; Computer Organization and Design; Operating Systems; and Software Development, among others.

Graduates will be ready to take up positions such as technology consultants, computer support specialists, web designers, software QA engineers, computer systems engineers, web developers, data engineers, database administrators, product managers, and more.

  • Location: Baton Rouge, LA
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Four years

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

Although not technically an engineering degree, the online bachelor of science program 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 credits, 80 of which are within the computer information systems core subjects. Students are also able to specialize in areas such as application development; information systems management; and networking and cyber security.

Courses include advanced systems development; systems analysis and development; web page development; intermediate object-oriented programming; advanced database systems; essentials of network design and hardware; strategic information systems project management; and applied project management.

  • Location: Natchitoches, LA
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Four years

Louisiana Christian University – Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Computer Science

Louisiana Christian University offers an online bachelor of applied science (BAS) program with a concentration in computer science that allows students to apply their technical education credits earned towards a bachelor’s degree. Students with an associate or a technology degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 are eligible to apply. Students are allowed to transfer up to 60 credits of coursework.

The curriculum includes courses introduction to programming; structured programming; database management systems; data structures; software engineering; computer architecture; operating systems; algorithms; and applied networking.

  • Location: Pineville, LA
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Two years

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 master of science program in engineering management. The school also offers a focus on systems innovation engineering for those who desire this specialization. Combining the best of both business and engineering worlds, this program is a collaborative effort between the Henry Bernstein College of Business Administration (COBA) and the Dr. Robert A. Savoie College of Engineering.

The program requires 30 credits 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.

Graduates will be prepared to take up roles such as biomedical engineering managers, electrical engineering managers, design engineering managers, manufacturing engineering managers, construction engineering managers, and systems engineering managers.

  • Location: New Orleans, LA
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Two years

Master of Science in Engineering – Louisiana Tech University

The Louisiana Tech University of Ruston provides an online MS in engineering with a focus on industrial engineering. This program can be completed entirely online and does not include a thesis portion.

Made up of 36 credits, the program includes courses such as introduction to engineering & science research methods; engineering computational methods; regression analysis; economics and decision making; operations research; manufacturing and operations analysis; facilities planning; engineering administration; reliability engineering; and logistics planning.

  • Location: Ruston, LA
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Two years

Master of Science in Civil Engineering – Louisiana State University

Louisiana State University offers an online master of science program in civil engineering. Ideal for civil engineering professionals looking to refresh and elevate their knowledge of the industry, this program equips students to develop, design, and effectively lead in the civil engineering industry.

Applicants to the program must have an undergraduate degree in civil engineering from a regionally accredited institution or its equivalent with an overall GPA of 3.0. Those without a civil engineering undergraduate degree will be required to pass leveling courses to satisfy department requirements.

Comprising 36 credits, the program includes courses such as soil improvement and stabilization; introduction to asphalt mix design; geotechnical engineering and construction; traffic engineering operations and control; pavement design; concrete in transportation applications; advanced bridge engineering; and pavement management systems, among others.

Graduates will be ready to take up roles such as transportation engineers, pavement engineers, design engineers, project engineers, traffic engineers, structural engineers, and civil engineers to name a few.

  • Location: Baton Rouge, LA
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Two years

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.

Graduates through this program will learn to design levees and analyze slope stability, settlement, and seepage; evaluate the costs of different dredging methods; and how to utilize spillways, gravity dams, stilling basins, drop structures, outfall structures, and sector gates.

  • Location: New Orleans, LA
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: One to two years

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. Providing students with the tools to become capable leaders in the construction industry, this program prepares them to take the associate constructor level 1 exam and earn an American Institute of Constructors (AIC) Associate Construction Certification.

This 18-credit 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.

  • Location: Baton Rouge, LA
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Six to 12 months

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 Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

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; for those schools which don’t have state authorization pages online, students are encouraged to contact admissions staff to determine eligibility.

Admissions Requirements for Online Engineering Programs

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
  • 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.