New Jersey (NJ) is an optimal state for an education in engineering for several reasons. For one, New Jersey residents live near Princeton University and Rutgers University, two schools home to some of the most highly-regarded engineering departments in the nation. Even engineers who do not obtain their degrees from these universities can still benefit from the proximity through continuing education, job boards, and networking opportunities.
Furthermore, the average compensation for an engineering professional in New Jersey is well above that of all other occupations in the state. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2016) found that the average mean annual wage for all engineers in New Jersey was $90,130, compared to an average of $56,030 for the whole workforce. And engineering subfields can expect to earn even more; for example, the average annual salary for aerospace engineers was $113,220, and for chemical engineers, it was $103,720.
Additionally, opportunities in engineering are growing nationally, as well as in New Jersey. The BLS (October 2016) reported that the following fields of engineering are expected to be among the fastest growing in the U.S. between 2014 and 2024: biomedical (23.1 percent growth in positions, 2014-2024), environmental (12.4 percent), and civil (8.4 percent). In New Jersey, the specializations with the brightest employment outlooks were similar; according to ProjectionsCentral (2017), the top-growing subfields of the discipline were biomedical (18.5 percent growth in positions, 2014-24); computer programming (15.1 percent); environmental (14.8 percent), and civil (8.3 percent). Notably, these national and statewide growth projections are all more robust than the average growth expected across all occupations in the country over the same decade (6.5 percent).
The prospects of a high salary and excellent job growth are not the only reasons to become an engineer in New Jersey. Also, New Jersey engineers can pursue membership with various professional organizations. These societies offer resources such as continuing education, a calendar of events throughout the year, political advocacy, and networking opportunities. These vibrant associations include:
While prospective engineers in NJ traditionally attend on-campus bachelor’s or master’s degree programs to prepare for their careers, there’s a swelling number of online engineering programs in the state, as well. These typically combine rigorous distance-based coursework with in-person training either at facilities close to a student’s home or through limited campus visits.
This guide explores the abundance of online engineering programs in NJ, including discussions of standout professors, expected coursework, and other considerations.
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Most employers in engineering prefer applicants with at least a bachelor’s degree. In addition to the abundance of on-campus programs in the state, here are two online bachelor’s programs in engineering.
Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Energy Engineering Technology – Thomas Edison State University
Aspiring engineers interested in nuclear power generation and related ideas can consider an online B.S. in nuclear energy engineering technology through Thomas Edison State University. This Trenton-based program requires the 126 credit-hours in areas such as nuclear physics for technology, thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and other core courses, along with a number of electives, as well. This program is ABET-accredited, and tuition costs $7,300 annually for New Jersey residents enrolled full-time.
Bachelor of Science in Electronics Systems Engineering Technology – Thomas Edison State University
Thomas Edison State University also offers a distance-based B.S. degree in electronics systems engineering technology. This 124-credit program includes classes on electric circuits, microprocessors, electrical devices, communications electronics, and electronics instrumentation and control, among other core classes and electives. As with the program above, tuition is set at $7,300 per year for New Jersey residents.
Online Master’s Degrees in Engineering in NJ
Master’s degrees allow students to further specialize their expertise. These advanced degrees may include a thesis or a hands-on final project, and ultimately can help an engineer secure a higher paying position or leadership opportunities.
Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering – Rutgers University
At Rutgers University of New Brunswick, engineers can earn a distance-based M.Eng. degree in biomedical engineering. This program is 100 percent online, and allows students to study on a full- or part-time basis. This program boasts flexible starting dates, as Rutgers provides fall, spring, or summer enrollment, depending on a student’s needs. Various tuition schedules are available online for students, which vary by method of course delivery, residency, and other factors. Applicants are encouraged to reach out to the program administration directly for an accurate estimate of the cost.
Master of Science in Computer Science – New Jersey Institute of Technology
The New Jersey Institute of Technology of Newark, provides an online M.S. in computer science. Students may choose between three specialty tracks—databases and data mining, networking, or a generalist track—and may pair their degree with a certificate in data mining or software engineering, as well. Classes include data structures and algorithms, operating system design, data management system design, and internet and higher-layer protocols, among others, totaling 30 credit-hours. Tuition for graduate students during the winter and summer semesters (2016-17) was $1,034 per credit-hour; additional fees may apply.
Other Online Engineering Programs in NJ
Finally, there are also online associate degrees and graduate certificates in engineering based in New Jersey.
Associate in Science in Electronics Engineering Technology – Thomas Edison State University
At Thomas Edison State University, aspiring engineers can complete an online A.S. in electronics engineering. Students must complete 60 credit-hours in subjects including, direct current and alternating current circuits, digital electronics, microprocessors, and electronic devices, among others. Again, tuition for students taking more than 36 credit-hours in one 12-month period is set at $7,300 for New Jersey residents.
Graduate Certificate in Power Systems Engineering – New Jersey Institute of Technology
The New Jersey Institute of Technology provides engineers with an online graduate certificate in power systems engineering. This 12 credit-hour program requires four courses, including power system steady-state analysis and renewable energy systems, in addition to two electives. This program is offered entirely online, and can actually be used as a springboard for students to eventually pursue a master of science in power and energy systems, should they choose. As mentioned above, tuition for graduate students for the winter and summer semesters (2016-17) was set at $1,034 per credit-hour, although this does not account additional fees.
Online Engineering Programs – What to Consider
The lure of high compensation and solid job prospects after graduation are reason enough for many aspiring engineers in New Jersey to begin a career in this field. Before signing up for an online engineering or computer science degree program, however, prospective students are encouraged to perform due diligence to find the answers to a number of questions. For example:
Can the program be completed on either a full- or part-time basis?
What is the total cost of the program?
If any attendance is required, how many times are students required to visit the campus throughout the duration of studies?
Once students complete the program, will the school provide any assistance in finding employment? And what student services exist for online students?
What have past program graduates done with their degrees?
Additionally, applicants should search for programs that are accredited and have proper state authorization status, as well.
Accreditation
Although completing an accredited degree program is not necessary for employment in engineering, it is highly advised as it can have many benefits. It can help qualify an engineer for graduate school and credentialing, as well as open up a broader range of job opportunities.
It’s important to note, however, that not all accrediting agencies are reputable; applicants should look for programs and institutions that have received accreditation through one of the organizations approved by the U.S. Department of Education’s Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). These organizations operate at the national, regional, and programmatic levels, as outlined below:
Prospective students should also note that they must search for online programs that have received authorization to enroll people from their state of residence; in other words, New Jersey students are only eligible to study in programs that are authorized to operate in the state. Most programs display this on their website (e.g., Rutgers University), and for those which don’t, out-of-state students should contact the program’s administration to determine eligibility.
Admissions Requirements for Online Engineering Programs
Aspiring engineers pursuing an online degree in New Jersey generally face similar admissions requirements to on-campus programs. Here is a general list of prerequisites that students should be prepared to meet in order to gain admission to an online engineering or computer science program in NJ:
Online Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering Application Requirements
Completed application and fee
Official high school transcripts or GED with proof of coursework in physics, chemistry, calculus, algebra, and other prerequisites
Competitive GPA, typically >2.75
Two or more letters of recommendation
ACT or SAT scores
A personal essay (500-600 words)
Online Master’s Degree in Engineering Application Requirements
Completed application(s) and fee (Please note that many online engineering programs require separate applications to the graduate school and the department of interest)
A bachelor’s degree in engineering or another science-related field with proof of course prerequisites
Competitive GPA, typically >3.0
Letters of recommendation from professors or employers
Standardized test scores (e.g., GRE)
A letter of motivation or personal essay
Online Graduate or Professional Certificate Application Requirements
Completed application and fee
At least a bachelor’s degree in engineering
Resume or CV
Letters of recommendation
A personal essay
Online Engineering Professors in New Jersey
There are many accomplished educators and researchers who teach engineering courses at online schools in New Jersey. Here are three exceptional professors from leading institutions in NJ with distance-based engineering programs.
Dr. Biju Parekkadan – Rutgers University
Dr. Biju Parekkadan is an associate professor of biomedical engineering at Rutgers University, where he also serves as an associate professor of medicine. His research group develops new platform technologies for cell and gene therapy; to this end, they converge knowledge and techniques of cell/gene/tissue engineering, drug delivery, biomaterials, micro/macro-fluidic bioreactors, transport phenomena, chemical kinetics, computational biology, and bioprocess engineering. He is the cofounder and director of Sentien Biotechnologies, Inc., and is affiliated with the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, the Broad Institute, and the American Society of Cell and Gene Therapy. He has received various honors and awards, including being named a 2016 finalist for the Translational Pioneer Award in Cell & Gene Therapy.
Dr. Narain Gehani – New Jersey Institute of Technology
Dr. Narain Gehani is a professor in the Department of Computer Science at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, where he has worked since 2003. He currently leads courses on database system design and management, and he previously held various positions with Lucent Technologies (formerly Bell Labs) from 1978 through 2001. He’s the author of nine software systems, 10 books, and 70 scholarly papers, and he co-holds 12 patents, as well. Notably, Gehani is the founding director of the NJIT Science and Technology Enrichment Program, a selective program for talented high school students interested in hands-on technology.
Dr. Durgamadhab Misra – New Jersey Institute of Technology
Dr. Durgamadhab Misra, a professor and associate chair for graduate studies at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, works in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He has led courses on the fundamentals of engineering design, VLSI circuits, analog circuit design, and VLSI design. His current research focuses on the areas of nanoelectronic/optoelectronic devices and circuits, particularly in the area of nanometer CMOS gate stacks and device reliability. He has edited and co-edited more than 40 books and conference proceedings in his field of research. Additionally, he has published more than 85 technical articles in peer-reviewed journals and more than 160 articles in international conference proceedings.
