Online Engineering Degree Programs in North Carolina

NC-Based Online Master’s Degrees in Engineering

Although many engineers pursue bachelor’s degrees and gain skills on the job, others seeking to work in leadership or academia may want to take their formal education further. A graduate degree in engineering can lead to higher paying work and greater responsibilities, as well as a more thorough exposure to the graduate’s chosen field. Here are two standout online master’s programs in engineering in NC:

M.S. in Chemical Engineering – NC State University

At NC State University in Raleigh, students have the option to pursue a master of science (M.S.) in chemical engineering entirely online. The program requires 30 credit hours of courses on transport phenomena, chemical reaction engineering, thermodynamics, and others. No thesis or on-campus residency is required, and students must maintain an average 3.0 GPA or above to remain enrolled. The cost per credit-hour is $482.56 for North Carolina residents, and the estimated total cost of the program is $14,476.80.

M.S. in Software Engineering – East Carolina University

East Carolina University in Greenville provides students with the option to complete an M.S. in software engineering degree online in three distinct tracks: software design and development, software project management and quality assurance, or software testing. Required courses include software engineering foundations, software project management, software construction, and dependable systems and software reliability, as well as related electives. North Carolina residents are charged $228.24 per credit-hour for graduate courses (2016-17), although this may not include other fees associated with distance learning.

What to Consider in an Online Engineering Program

Prior to applying for an online engineering program in North Carolina, there are many variables to examine; these include the reputability of the school, the quality of the education offered, the cost of the program, the time it takes to complete, rates of admissions, and many other factors. Prospective students are encouraged to thoroughly research their institutions of choice, taking into account the following questions:

• How long does it take to complete this program? Can the program be completed on a part-time basis?
• Does the program assist with job placement after graduation? Are employment statistics available for recent graduates? What types of jobs do graduates generally obtain?
• Can students complete practical requirements in their home communities, or will they be required to travel? If so, how far?
• Can online students retain in-state status?
• What is the cost of the program? Does this include all fees for distance learning?

Furthermore, prospective students should look for two specific items of interest when researching a program: accreditation and state authorization statuses.

Online Engineering Program Accreditation

Although not required for all employment opportunities, graduation from an accredited institution can be immensely beneficial to an aspiring engineer. To be sure, this may be required when applying for certain jobs, graduate schools, financial aid, or certification exams.

Overall, accreditation status demonstrates a dedication to providing high-quality education. For example, accredited institutions are typically evaluated in their administration of funds; provision of student services; and the quality of program faculty and curricula, among other factors.

It is important to note, however, that not all accrediting agencies carry the same authority. Students are encouraged to look for programs that have received accreditation from an agency that has been approved by the U.S. Department of Education’s Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Furthermore, engineering students should understand that accreditation can be granted on three levels: national, regional, and programmatic. To illustrate this, the following offers a list of accrediting organizations of various levels that operate in North Carolina:

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)
• Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE)

State Authorization Status

Along with accreditation, prospective students should determine their program’s “state authorization” status, as well. While this is not typically an issue for an online student residing in the same state as his or her institution, there may be a conflict when a distance-based student is located out-of-state. Fortunately, many universities display their state authorization status on their website for convenience (e.g., University of North Carolina). For those that don’t, aspiring students located out-of-state are advised to contact program coordinators.

Online Engineering Professors in North Carolina

Aspiring online engineering students should note that a wide array of highly skilled professors lead distance-based classes. Here are three renowned engineering professors who lead classes at NC institutions with online programs: