Online Engineering Programs in New York

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Engineers maintain an important role in the economy within the state of New York and across the country. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2016) found that there were more than 112,600 engineers and architects working in the Empire State, more than one percent of all people employed. The most popular specializations were civil engineers (15,450 employed), mechanical engineers (11,330), and electrical engineers (11,280). And opportunities for engineers will likely continue to grow into the future; by illustration, the BLS (October 2016) projected a four percent increase in openings for all engineers between 2014 and 2024, a nationwide addition of 65,000 fresh positions. Furthermore, Projections Central (2017) reported that some specializations were expected to grow faster than others in NY during that same decade, including biomedical engineers (32.5 percent increase), environmental engineers (20.8 percent), and civil engineers (17.3 percent). These figures are much more robust than the 6.5 percent average growth anticipated across all U.S. occupations during that time period. In short, there’s expected to be a wealth of openings for engineers in NY in coming years.

In addition, engineers across specialized fields command varying average salaries. Here’s a list of some of the most lucrative engineering professions in New York, along with their average annual salary in 2016:

Computer hardware engineers – $109,340
Nuclear engineers – $112,260
Electrical engineers – $98,660
Aerospace engineers – $107,450
Biomedical engineers – $99,490

That’s not to say, however, that other fields of engineering aren’t well-paid, as well; on the contrary, the average annual wage in New York for all engineering and architecture positions was $82,900, well above the statewide average for all occupations combined, which was $58,910 (BLS May 2016).

While engineering on the whole boasts impressive salary figures and growth projections, aspiring professionals in this field must have the requisite training and credentialing prior to seeking employment. Traditionally, prospective engineers across all subfields were relegated exclusively to on-campus training programs, but there’s a growing array of online engineering programs across all specialties in the discipline. It’s important to note that many distance-based engineering programs are concentrated in certain subfields related to computers or at the graduate degree level. This is due to the imperative laboratory training in many fields such as mechanical, biomedical, and environmental engineering, among others. That said, with the growing availability of approved mentors or facilities close to online students’ homes, many established engineering programs have developed comprehensive online counterparts to their on-campus programs.

This guide explores the wealth of online engineering programs in New York, including outstanding professors, admissions and accreditation information, and what to consider prior to enrolling.

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NY-Based Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Engineering

In general, a bachelor’s degree is the minimum academic credentialing for those seeking employment in engineering. As mentioned above, the majority of distance-based programs are concentrated in specific engineering subfields, especially electrical engineering and management, or at the graduate-degree level. Here is a sampling of accredited online bachelor’s programs in engineering from institutions based in New York.

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering – Stony Brook University

At Stony Brook University, students have the opportunity to pursue an online B.S. in electrical engineering. This program is not only ABET-accredited, but also has an asynchronous class schedule which provides a great degree of flexibility for students who have other commitments, such as full-time work. Courses in this program include electronics, random signals, calculus, semiconductor devices, and engineering design, among others. The cost of the 120-credit program is $270 per credit hour for New York residents, as well as an additional $108 per course.

Bachelor of Science, Mathematics and Technology (Computer Science Concentration) – Empire State College

Students at Empire State College in Saratoga Springs can obtain an online bachelor’s of science, mathematics and technology with a concentration in computer science. Students develop a thorough knowledge of mathematics, programming, and other subjects. The program typically requires 120 credits to complete, and tuition costs $270 per credit hour for New York residents, or $323 for online out-of-state residents.

Bachelor of Science (various) – Excelsior College

Finally, Excelsior College based in Albany provides three distance-based B.S. degree programs which are all ABET-accredited: electrical engineering technology, information technology, and nuclear engineering technology. In its electrical engineering concentration, students have the option to specialize in electronics, nanotechnology, or power systems. In all three tracks, students take foundational coursework in AC circuits, DC circuits, microprocessors, digital electronics, computer programming, and project management. To discover how much these programs cost, please use EC’s Cost Calculator.

NY-Based Online Master’s Degrees in Engineering

While a bachelor’s degree allows individuals to begin working in the field of engineering at the entry level, a master’s degree is often necessary to expand one’s career, allowing graduates to take on greater responsibilities and higher pay, as well. In addition, a master’s degree allows students to develop a level of knowledge and expertise in their field that is more comprehensive and specialized. Here are three standout online master’s degree programs based in NY:

Master’s of Science in Industrial Engineering – New York University

New York University (NYU) in Brooklyn allows students to pursue an online M.S. degree in industrial engineering at one of the top-rated institutes in the nation. Students must complete a total of 30 credit hours, including 12 in required courses such as quality control, production science, and factory simulation; nine credits in industrial engineering electives; and nine in other elective subjects. Graduate students in the school of engineering must pay $1,646 per credit hour, as well as other fees.

Master’s of Science in Biomedical Engineering – Columbia University

At Columbia University in New York, students can pursue an M.S. in biomedical engineering entirely online. Students must complete 30 credit hours in order to successfully complete this program, and will take courses on computational neuroscience, quantitative physiology, solid biomechanics, and sound and hearing, among others. Tuition for this online program is set at $1,858 per credit hour, as well as a $395 non-refundable fee per course.

Master’s of Science in Computer Science – Syracuse University

Syracuse University provides an online M.S. in computer science which requires 30 credits of coursework in subjects such as structured programming and formal methods; computer architecture; principles of operating systems; and design and analysis of algorithms. This program typically takes 15 months to complete and costs $1,500 per credit (2017-18). Additional fees may apply.

Other Online Engineering Programs in New York

Associate of Science in Computer Science – Jamestown Community College

Students at Jamestown Community College in Jamestown can pursue an A.S. degree in computer science, which is a two-year program designed for students who intend on transferring to a four-year college. Students take 60 credit hours of courses, including those on programming concepts, data structures, computer organization, and a number of others related to computer science, along with elective credits, as well. Attendance is not required for this program, as it can be completed entirely online, and the annual in-state tuition fee for a full-time student is $4,360. Additional fees may apply.

Above all, there are many online engineering degree programs in NY and beyond. To explore the opportunities at all levels—many of which are open to students living in the Empire State—please visit any of the specialization or degree types pages. Some of the online programs catering to high-growth career subfields in NY include:

Online Engineering Programs – What to Consider

As mentioned above, aspiring online engineering students must weigh several factors in their degree program search, including the quality of the education offered, the total cost of the program, the institution’s reputability, the time required to complete the degree, admissions rates, and other variables. Since online learning requires substantially more independence than traditional, on-campus degree programs, students considering a distance-based engineering program should consider:

Does the program assist with job placement after graduation? Can the program provide employment statistics for graduates?
Can the program be completed entirely online? Or is campus attendance required?
Do online students have in-state status?
What is the estimated completion time for full-time students? Can the program be completed on a part-time basis?
Are students able to complete practical experience credits near their home communities?

In addition to the above questions, aspiring students should determine their program’s accreditation and state authorization statuses before making a final decision.

Accreditation

Accreditation shows that a program has met certain quality standards set forth by an accrediting agency. In order receive accreditation, a school must meet a number of requirements such as providing student services; strong student outcomes; sound administrative and financial management; high-quality education, and a number of other criteria. In sum, accreditation is an indicator of academic quality, and for students, graduation from an accredited program may required to qualify for certain graduate programs, certifications, or employment opportunities.

Not all accrediting organization are the same, however, as some carry more weight than others. Aspiring students should seek out programs which have been accredited by an organization approved by the U.S. Department of Education’s Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). In addition, aspiring students should understand that accreditation is available through different organizations on a programmatic, national, and regional level. To be sure, the following includes a list of prominent organizations that accredit online engineering programs in New York:

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

Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Programmatic accreditation

State Authorization

Students are only eligible to enroll in online engineering programs that have been authorized to operate in their home state. In general, New York residents enrolled in online programs based in NY will not encounter any problems; however, some online engineering programs in other states may not provide admissions to non-resident students. All online students should carefully examine state policies before applying to any programs. Fortunately many programs show this conveniently on their website (e.g., NYU). For those which don’t, online students are encouraged to contact program coordinators to ensure eligibility.

Admissions Requirements

Finally, online engineering programs in New York maintain admissions requirements which are similar to their campus-based counterparts. Here is a list of common admissions requirements for online engineering schools in New York:

Online Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering Requirements

A high school diploma or GED with proof of prerequisite coursework (e.g., physics, chemistry, calculus, etc.)
A competitive GPA; generally 2.5 or 3.0, depending on the program
Letters of recommendation provided by two teachers
A statement of purpose or other personal essay
ACT or SAT scores

Online Master’s Degree in Engineering Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in engineering with proof of prerequisite coursework
An undergraduate GPA of above 2.5 for some programs, or above 3.0 for more selective institutions
GRE test scores
A statement of purpose or other type of personal essay
Letters of recommendation from professors, employers, advisors, or other qualifying professionals

Online Graduate or Professional Certificate Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in engineering
A resume or CV
Letters of recommendation
A personal essay

Online Engineering Professors in New York

Fortunately for aspiring engineers who are interested in completing a degree online, there is a wide array of highly skilled and respected professors who teach classes at a distance. Here are three renowned professors who teach in programs that offer online degrees:

Dr. Petar Djuric – Stony Brook University

Dr. Djuric is a professor within the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Stony Brook University. He previously served as a research associate at the Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences in Belgrade, Serbia, and his work focuses on signal and information processing, particularly the theory of signal modeling, detection, and estimation. He was a recipient of the EURASIP Technical Achievement Award in 2012, as well as the IEEE Signal Processing Magazine Best Paper Award in 2007.

Dr. Zhong-Ping Jiang – New York University

Dr. Jiang works as a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at New York University, where students can pursue a graduate degree in engineering through on-campus courses, online courses, or a combination of both. He’s also a senior editor for the IEEE Control Systems Letters; an editor for the International Journal of Robust and Nonlinear Control; and the deputy co-editor-in-chief of the Journal of Control and Decision. His awards and honors include being named a fellow of the IFAC (2013) and IEEE (2008), as well as receiving the NSF CAREER Award (2001) and the Steve and Rosalind Hsia Biomedical Paper Award at 2016 WCICA. Prof. Jiang has coauthored four books and over 400 journal and conference papers, receiving 16,420 citations and an h-index of 64 as of May 2017 on Google Scholar.