Online Engineering Degree Programs in Oregon

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Host to a booming engineering industry, Oregon is a superb location to begin a new career in this field. In fact, aspiring engineers in the Beaver State may find a myriad job opportunities and competitive compensation offers, along with strong support from a number of engineering societies that operate across the state. Specifically, the following organizations advocate for engineering professionals in Oregon: the Professional Engineers of Oregon, the Structural Engineers Association of Oregon, the American Society of Civil Engineers – Oregon Section, and the Oregon Society for Healthcare Engineering.

These societies offer continuing education, networking opportunities, and additional benefits for the 40,820 engineers and architectural professionals who currently work statewide. Furthermore, the future looks bright for those looking to start a new career as an engineer in Oregon and elsewhere in the United States. By illustration, Projections Central predicted that a number of engineering subfields would grow rapidly across Oregon in the coming decade:

Biomedical engineering – 27.8 percent growth in openings in Oregon, 2014-2024
Industrial engineering – 20.7 percent
Environmental engineering – 20.5 percent
Civil engineering – 18.9 percent
Aerospace engineering – 18 percent
Mechanical engineering – 18 percent

To put this into perspective, additional data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (October 2017) shows that all engineering and architectural professions will expand by only seven percent across the nation between 2016 and 2026, further underscoring Oregon as a prime location to work in this industry.

Of course, perhaps one of the most significant benefits associated with engineering occupations is the extremely competitive salary. In fact, the BLS (May 2016) found that, on average, engineers and architectural professionals in OR earned $86,810 per year. Professionals in some subfields could expect to earn much more; Oregon-based aerospace engineers, for example, brought home an average of $102,630 per year, and industrial engineers earned an average of $101,540. This is well above the annual average for all occupations in Oregon ($49,710).

How does a person become an engineering in Oregon? While a majority attend a university program on a traditional campus, a growing percentage is choosing to attend classes online. Currently, a swelling number of online programs exist that offer flexibility for students who do not live close to a school or who have other full-time responsibilities.

This guide details a variety of online engineering programs and professors in Oregon, including discussions of coursework, typical tuition costs, and admissions requirements.

Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Engineering

To begin a career as an engineer, a person typically needs at least an undergraduate degree. Aspiring engineers can consider the following online bachelor’s degrees in engineering open to Oregon-based students.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – Oregon State University

Although it is not a traditional engineering program, the online bachelor of science (B.S.) in computer science offered by Oregon State University of Corvallis may be an excellent option for those looking to pursue a career in computer hardware or software engineering. This 60-credit-hour degree is geared towards students who already possess a bachelor’s degree in another field, and allows for a one-year, two-year, three-year, or even four-year track for completion. Tuition for this program is $478 per credit-hour, excluding additional fees.

Bachelor of Science in Engineering – California National University

California National University of Torrance, CA offers an online bachelor of science (B.S.) in engineering, which allows students to specialize in a number of areas, including mechanical, electrical, computer science, computer engineering, environmental, or quality assurance science engineering. Students in this program must complete 126 credit-hours to graduate, 30 of which will focus on their subfield of engineering. Students must also complete a capstone project—one trimester (15 week) of work requiring four hours of practicum per week. Tuition is $300 per credit-hour for United States residents, bringing the total cost of the program to $37,800, not including additional fees.

Online Master’s Degrees in Engineering in Oregon

For many engineers, a master’s degree can help them further develop their knowledge and skills to remain more competitive in the workforce.

Master of Science in Engineering – Oregon Institute of Technology

The Oregon Institute of Technology of Klamath Falls offers an online master of science (M.S.) in engineering. Students are able to specialize in one of three different areas: systems engineering, optical engineering, or embedded systems engineering and interconnected devices. Prospective students should note that only the broad master of science in engineering program and the systems engineering track are offered entirely online; the other options are delivered in a blended format, requiring campus visits. During this program, students must complete 45 credit-hours, 15 of which must be on the area of focus. Tuition for this program is set at $498 per credit-hour, bringing the cost to $22,410, excluding additional fees.

Master of Engineering in Industrial Engineering – Oregon State University

Oregon State University of Corvallis also offers a master of engineering (M.Eng) in industrial engineering, which can be completed entirely online. Students in this 45-credit-hour program take four required courses on operations management, project management in engineering, advanced engineering economic analysis, and introduction to management for engineers and scientists, as well as a handful of elective courses. Tuition is $583 per credit-hour, bringing the total cost of the program to $26,235.

Other Online Engineering Programs in Oregon

An array of other online programs exist for aspiring engineers in Oregon, including certificates and associate degrees. For those looking for an education outside of traditional bachelor’s or master’s degrees, the following may provide excellent options:

Certificate in Software Engineering – Linfield College

Linfield College in McMinnville offers an online certificate in software engineering. This program is designed for applicants who currently work as entry-level engineers, systems analysts, programmers, or designers, yet hope to obtain additional education within object-oriented software development. Students will take 18 credit-hours of courses such as software engineering, database program development, programming and object structures, and the fundamentals of information systems technology. They’re also required to complete an applied software development project. Tuition for full-time students during the 2017-18 school year was $11,880 annually, excluding extra fees.

Online Engineering Programs – What to Consider

It’s true that the future looks promising for aspiring engineers in Oregon. That said, prospective students are encouraged to thoroughly research the online engineering degree programs available to them to ensure they are able to receive the education they need to succeed. And, in doing so, potential applicants may wish to ask the following questions, among others:

Can the program be completed on a part-time basis?
On average, how long does the program take to complete?
Does the school assist with job placement upon graduation?
What is the cost of the program? Does this include additional fees?
How many campus visits are required throughout the program?

In addition, anyone searching for an online engineering degree in Oregon should understand the concepts of accreditation and state authorization status, as well.

Accreditation

Completing an accredited program is not a prerequisite to succeed as an engineer, but it has benefits; ultimately, because accreditation is synonymous with value, those with a degree from an accredited program may find it easier to secure employment or financial aid for further education.

Not all accrediting organizations are the same. Instead, prospective applicants are advised to search for programs that have received accreditation through one of the organizations approved by the U.S. Department of Education’s Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The following includes a list of various agencies that provide accreditation on a national, regional, and programmatic level to engineering schools across Oregon:

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

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

Programmatic accreditation

State Authorization

In addition to accreditation, prospective applicants should also research state authorization status, as well. To elaborate, students in Oregon may only study at programs that have been deemed eligible to operate within the state, known as “state authorization.” Fortunately, this information is often readily available on a school’s website (e.g., Oregon State University) and for those which don’t, aspiring students should contact admissions departments to ensure eligibility.

Admissions Requirements for Online Engineering Programs

Overall, the admissions requirements for many online engineering programs are similar to their on-campus counterparts. Naturally, some differences will exist between institutions; however, in general, the criteria will remain almost identical, at least when broken down by level. For example, those seeking admissions to the online master of engineering in industrial engineering at Oregon State University must have:

A bachelor’s degree in a field related to science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (ideally from an ABET-accredited program)
GRE scores (this criterion is not required if the applicant holds a degree from an ABET-accredited undergraduate program)
Professional references from previous professors or employers
A 3.0 GPA

Other common admissions requirements include letters of recommendation, candidate interviews, additional test scores, proof of specific coursework, and a personal statement.

Online Engineering Professors in Oregon

Fortunately for prospective students, online engineering degree programs are staffed by highly talented educators and researchers. The following highlights three skilled professors who lead courses at universities offering online engineering degrees in Oregon:

Dr. Toni L. Doolen – Oregon State University

Dr. Toni L. Doolen is a professor of industrial and manufacturing engineering at Oregon State University, where she also serves as the dean of the College of Education, as well as the dean of the university Honors College. Dr. Doolen’s research focuses on applying process improvement methodologies and innovation to improve the social aspects of organizational performance using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. She has been associated with the university since 2001. Notably, she has taught classes on engineering orientation, lean manufacturing systems engineering, modern electronics manufacturing, research methods in engineering, and managing in a global workplace, among many others.

Dr. Harriet B. Nembhard – Oregon State University

Dr. Harriet B. Nembhard is the Eric R. Smith professor of engineering at Oregon State University, as well as the school head, where she leads 75 faculty and staff in fulfilling its mission to educate students as profession-ready graduates and engage in collaborative, cutting-edge research. She is the co-author of the influential textbook Healthcare Systems Engineering, as well as the author or co-author of over 50 peer-reviewed journal publications. Dr. Nembhard has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Feigenbaum Medal in 2004, and she was elected to the International Academy for Quality in 2011.

Dr. David Porter – Oregon State University

Dr. David Porter is a professor of industrial and manufacturing engineering at Oregon State University, where he has served since 2001. His research focuses on the modeling, analysis, and performance evaluation of information systems, particularly as they apply to the areas of intelligent transportation systems, manufacturing, supply chains, and public/private transit networks. He is also the director of the Mobile Technology Solutions Lab, which is a 1,000-square foot facility. Its “primary purpose is to help meet the increasing demand for automatic data capture and mobile technology applications in industry by providing innovative solutions, techniques, and expertise to companies desiring to maintain or increase their competitive edge.”