Online Engineering Schools in New Mexico

Meet the Expert: Gabe Garcia, PhD

Gabe Garcia

Dr. Gabe Garcia associate dean of academics at New Mexico State University (NMSU). He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering from NMSU. After earning a PhD from Texas A&M University, he returned to NMSU, where he has served in academic and administrative positions ever since.

Dr. Garcia served as a faculty member in NMSU’s department of mechanical engineering for 23 years. His research interests have spanned solid mechanics, materials, alternative and renewable energy, and modeling and simulation. He was awarded the National Science Foundation CAREER award for his research. In 2024, NMSU honored Dr. Garcia with the Michael and June Gittings Endowed Chair in recognition of his leadership and contributions to the college.

OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com: What makes New Mexico special when it comes to engineering?

Dr. Garcia: New Mexico has a long history of solving complex, real-world problems in areas such as energy, space systems, advanced manufacturing, and national security. What makes this especially meaningful today is that the expertise, research partnerships, and applied engineering mindset developed here are no longer limited by geography. Through high-quality online engineering programs, students can engage with these same challenges, faculty, and industry connections from wherever they live and work.

This combination of place-based innovation and broad accessibility creates powerful opportunities for learners across the country. Students are not just earning a degree—they are connecting to an ecosystem focused on practical problem-solving, workforce readiness, and technologies that matter at a national and global scale.

OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com: Do you have any advice for new and aspiring engineers?

Dr. Garcia: My advice is to stay curious and keep building—both your technical skills and your ability to learn continuously. Engineering careers now span industries, locations, and technologies in ways we have never seen before, and online education has made it possible to gain meaningful, rigorous preparation while balancing work, family, and other responsibilities.

Take full advantage of hands-on projects, collaboration with peers, and opportunities to apply what you learn in real settings. Whether you are studying on campus or online, the goal is the same: develop the confidence and problem-solving mindset to contribute to challenges that truly matter. The engineers who thrive will be those who remain adaptable, creative, and committed to making a positive impact.

OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com: What does the future of engineering look like to you?

Dr. Garcia: The future of engineering will be shaped by how we combine human creativity with rapidly advancing technologies like artificial intelligence. AI will not replace engineers, but it will change how we design, analyze, and innovate—allowing engineers to explore more ideas, test solutions faster, and focus more of their energy on creative and meaningful problem-solving.

Our mastery of AI will influence the progress we make in energy, advanced manufacturing, infrastructure, national security, and other complex challenges that are deeply connected to society. The responsibility for future engineers is not only to advance technology, but to apply it thoughtfully, ethically, and in ways that genuinely improve people’s lives. That balance of innovation, creativity, and purpose is what will define the next generation of engineering leadership.

Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Engineering in New Mexico

For most engineers, a bachelor’s degree is generally the first step to begin a career in this field. In addition to the abundance of campus-based programs nationally, here are two standout online bachelor’s programs related to engineering and based in NM:

Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering Technology – Eastern New Mexico University

Eastern New Mexico University’s online bachelor of science in electronics engineering technology (EET) provides students with the skills they need for practical careers in electronics, computing, instrumentation, communications, and control systems. The curriculum covers core areas such as electrical circuits, digital and analog systems, instrumentation, controls, and system design. An optional emphasis is available in renewable energy. Graduates are positioned for roles such as electronics technologist, systems test engineer, hardware technician, and automation specialist.

  • Location: Portales, NM
  • Accreditation: HLC
  • Estimated Time to Completion: Four years

Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology – New Mexico State University

New Mexico State University’s bachelor of information and communication technology (ICT), offered through NMSU Global Campus, is a fully online undergraduate program that prepares students for versatile careers at the intersection of computing, networked systems, and digital communication. The curriculum covers topics such as networking, operating systems, cybersecurity principles, software development, and systems administration.

Students in the program can choose from career-focused concentrations like cyber defense, network technologies, or software development. With a senior capstone project that synthesizes learning across technical domains, graduates are positioned for roles including network engineer, systems administrator, technology project manager, and related ICT occupations.

  • Location: Los Cruces, NM
  • Accreditation: ABET (Computing Accreditation Commission); HLC
  • Estimated Time to Completion: Four years

Online Master’s Degrees in Engineering in New Mexico

While many engineers seek employment after earning a bachelor’s degree, others continue on and obtain a master’s or doctorate. The following are two online master’s degrees available in New Mexico for aspiring engineers:

Master of Science or Master of Engineering in Industrial Engineering – New Mexico State University

New Mexico State University’s online Master’s in Industrial Engineering, offered through the NMSU Global Campus, prepares engineers to optimize complex systems, improve operational performance, and lead cross-functional teams in industrial and service environments.

The program can be completed as a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering (MSIE), which includes options for thesis or project work and is suited to students pursuing deeper analytical training or future doctoral study, or as a Master of Engineering in Industrial Engineering (MEIE), which is a coursework-only pathway focused on applied methods and professional practice.

Both options emphasize areas such as operations research, applied statistics, advanced manufacturing systems, supply chain management, and engineering management.

  • Location: Los Cruces, NM
  • Accreditation: HLC
  • Estimated Time to Completion: Two years

Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering – New Mexico State University

New Mexico State University’s master of engineering in electrical Engineering (MEEE), offered through NMSU Global Campus, is a fully online graduate program that enables engineers to deepen their technical expertise while balancing professional and personal commitments. The curriculum emphasizes advanced principles and practical applications in key areas of electrical engineering, such as electromagnetics, microelectronics and VLSI, photonics, electric energy systems, digital signal processing, computer engineering, and communications, allowing students to tailor their studies to evolving industry demands. As a coursework-only degree, the program focuses on skills relevant to roles managing complex engineering challenges.

  • Location: Los Cruces, NM
  • Accreditation: HLC
  • Estimated Time to Completion: Two years

Other Online Engineering Programs

A number of other online programs exist in NM and surrounding states, including these two distance-based graduate certificates:

Graduate Certificate in Systems Engineering – New Mexico State University

Delivered through NMSU Global Campus, New Mexico State University’s graduate certificate in systems engineering offers an interdisciplinary introduction for technical professionals seeking to expand their analytical and design capabilities. This fully online program is for learners with undergraduate degrees in engineering, engineering technology, or related fields.

Coursework covers the practical applications of systems thinking, lifecycle processes, and problem solving, challenging students to translate customer needs and constraints into productive system solutions while strengthening skills relevant to roles such as systems analyst, industrial systems engineer, or software systems engineer. With flexible scheduling across fall, spring, and summer terms and support for working professionals, the certificate is a strategic way to advance technical expertise without committing to a full graduate degree.

  • Location: Los Cruces, NM
  • Accreditation: HLC
  • Estimated Time to Completion: One years

Graduate Certificate in Engineering Management – University of Arizona

The University of Arizona’s online graduate certificate in engineering management (GCERT) provides targeted training for those who wish to lead technical teams and manage complex engineering projects. The program emphasizes core management competencies such as project planning, decision-making under uncertainty, and financial modeling.

Elective coursework includes simulation modeling, optimization, and quality engineering. This certificate helps learners build the essential skills to bridge technical expertise with organizational leadership, and can serve as a stepping stone toward advanced graduate study.

  • Location: Tucson, AZ
  • Accreditation: HLC
  • Estimated Time to Completion: One years

Online Engineering Programs – What to Consider

When searching for an online engineering program, prospective engineers should examine the specifics and ask the following questions:

  • What is the total cost of the program? Applicants should determine the cost of the program, including fees, before enrolling.
  • Can the program be completed on a part-time basis? How long does it take, on average? This will help students develop a timeline for their studies and future careers.
  • Are campus visits required? Some programs require students to visit the campus periodically, while others can be completed entirely online.
  • Will the school assist with job placement after graduation? Being able to rely on job placement assistance after graduation can be highly valuable for a student.

Furthermore, aspiring engineers should learn about two program features: accreditation and state authorization status.

Accreditation

Although prospective students are not required to graduate from an accredited program, doing so does have significant benefits. For example, future employers may search for candidates who studied in an accredited program. Also, engineering students looking to secure financial aid for graduate school may find that enrollment in an accredited program is a prerequisite. It’s important to note that not all accreditation is recognized; instead, aspiring engineers should look for programs that have been accredited by one of the organizations approved by the U.S. Department of Education’s Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). A number of other accrediting agencies exist, but validating their legitimacy can be difficult.

In general, accreditation is split into regional, national and programmatic levels. This is a list of organizations that provide accreditation for schools in New Mexico:

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

  • Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

Programmatic accreditation

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

State Authorization

Online engineering students in New Mexico may only study in programs that are eligible to operate in the state. This is known as “state authorization” status, and is an important factor to research before enrolling in a program. This information is usually available on a school’s website, and for schools which don’t have a state authorization page, students should contact admissions offices to ensure eligibility.

Admissions Requirements for Online Engineering Programs

The admissions requirements for online engineering programs vary by degree level and institution. For example, applicants to New Mexico State University’s master of science in industrial engineering should have:

  • A bachelor’s degree in engineering from a school accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) with coursework in calculus-based probability and statistics
  • If the student does not have a bachelor’s degree in engineering, they must meet the math prerequisites of the industrial engineering department, which are nine hours in calculus, three hours in differential equations and three hours in calculus-based probability and statistics
  • An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 in their last 60 credit hours

Additional common application requirements include admissions essays; proof of additional coursework; letters of recommendation; test scores; and even candidate interviews.