Online Engineering Schools in Pennsylvania

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Aspiring engineers in Pennsylvania (PA) should be encouraged to learn that the state fosters a supportive environment for these professionals, in effect fueling the growth of employment opportunities. There’s a wealth of professional organizations in the state, including the Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers, the American Council of Engineering Companies of Pennsylvania, and the Structural Engineers Association of Pennsylvania, to name a few. In general, these societies offer benefits to members such as continuing education resources, professional advocacy, job placement assistance, and networking events throughout the year.

In addition to ample professional support, engineers in PA also enjoy relatively high job growth and compensation. By illustration, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (October 2016) predicted a significant increase in openings across the country in engineering between 2014 and 2024; among the subfields, biomedical engineering leads the pack with a projected 23.1 percent increase in fresh openings nationwide, much higher than the 6.5 percent average growth anticipated across all occupations during that same decade. This national trend is echoed within Pennsylvania as well. There’s an expected 24.1 percent increase in biomedical engineers employed, a jump from 1,040 to 1,290 positions statewide. Notably, environmental and civil engineers in PA are also expected to see relatively high job growth at 11.6 and 8.3 percent, respectively.

So what are currently the top-employing specializations? The BLS (May 2016) reported that there were a total of 100,460 professionals in architecture and engineering across Pennsylvania. The most popular engineering subfields were mechanical (13,440 employed in PA), civil (12,490), industrial (9,310), and electrical (6,980). As mentioned above, these professionals also enjoy relatively high salaries. In fact, the BLS (May 2016) reported that all of the architecture and engineering professionals in Pennsylvania earned an annual average salary of $77,490, much more than the mean wage for all jobs in the state ($47,540). Of course, some specializations command higher salaries than others. Some of the top-paying subfields in PA were nuclear ($101,190 annual average salary), chemical ($100,150), aerospace ($99,930), and electronics ($94,950). In short, engineers in PA enjoy a relatively high-growth and high-paying career.

Ultimately, the promise of significant compensation and future job growth are compelling reasons to become an engineer. In addition to choosing an appropriate specialization of interest, prospective engineers in PA must also consider their education, training, and credentialing. To that end, some engineers attend traditional degree programs with face-to-face classes, but there’s a growing number of PA-based online engineering programs as well. These degrees typically combine online coursework and hands-on opportunities through labs, companies, or other facilities under the guidance of approved mentors. Some distance-based programs can be completed 100 percent online, while others require some on-campus visits. It’s important to note that most online engineering programs are available in computer-related specializations or at the graduate degree level when a student has developed more autonomy.

This guide explores online engineering programs in Pennsylvania, including the expected coursework and accreditation information.

PA-Based Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Engineering

For many aspiring engineers, a bachelor’s degree is an entry-level credential for employment. It’s also a prerequisite to obtain licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE). Here are two featured online bachelor’s degree programs based in Pennsylvania.

B.S. in Software Engineering – Penn State World Campus

Penn State World Campus—the online campus associated with Pennsylvania State University in University Park—offers students the opportunity to pursue an online bachelor of science (B.S.) in software engineering. Students in this program are required to complete a total of 126 credit-hours on subjects such as microprocessors; chemical principles; operating systems; communication networks; database management systems; and programming techniques. The program is entirely online and costs $6,587 per semester for students taking 12 or more credits. Additional fees may apply.

B.S. in Computer Systems Management – Saint Francis University

The distance-based B.S. in computer systems management at Saint Francis University in Loretto is neither a traditional engineering program nor a computer science degree; however, it covers much of the same material, an interdisciplinary approach which helps students analyze, design, develop, implement, integrate, manage, and maintain information systems and technology. Graduates go on to work as systems analysts, network specialists, and database managers, among other occupations. This 128 credit-hour program can be completed entirely online and tuition is $476 per credit-hour.

PA-Based Online Master’s Degrees in Engineering

A master’s degree cultivates deeper specialization in a given engineering field and can lead to increased job opportunities, more responsibility, and higher pay. Here are two online master’s degrees in engineering from PA-based institutions.

M.S. in Computer Science – Drexel University

The online master of science (M.S.) in computer science from Drexel University in Philadelphia is an excellent option for aspiring software or computer engineers. This program covers courses on data structures and algorithms, computational geometry, database theory, and advanced artificial intelligence, among others. Students must complete 45 credits. For the 2017-18 school year, the program costs $1,228 per credit-hour.

M.S. in Information Systems Engineering and Management – Harrisburg University of Science and Technology

The Harrisburg University of Science and Technology offers a distance-based M.S. in information systems engineering and management for aspiring engineers. Students in this online program study three main areas: information systems, systems engineering, and management. Tuition for domestic graduate students is $800 per semester-hour. Additional fees may apply.

Other Online Engineering Programs in Pennsylvania

In addition to bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, there are various associate degrees and professional certificates offered online. These can be ideal for aspiring or current engineers seeking additional formal education in a shorter time frame and at a lower cost.

Certificate in Web Development and Design – Harrisburg Area Community College

At Harrisburg Area Community College, students can pursue an online certificate in web development and design, which includes 36 credit-hours in foundational and elective courses covering web application development, interactive web media, general web studies, and related subjects. This program can be completed on its own, or can be used as a starting point for those interested in transferring to a two- to four-year undergraduate program. Notably, tuition is relatively affordable at $176 per credit-hour.

Online Engineering Programs – What to Consider

The promise of becoming a skilled worker with job stability and a relatively high salary are compelling reasons to pursue a career in engineering. Prior to applying to an online engineering program, aspiring students should ask themselves these questions:

Is the program part-time or full-time? Can students work while completing the program?
Do students retain in-state status and tuition rates?
What is the average time it takes to complete the program? Can students take time off and still resume studying at a later date?
Does the school provide job placement assistance?
Are students required to visit the campus for orientation? Are any other campus visits required throughout the duration of the program?

In addition to these considerations, students should also determine the accreditation and “state authorization” statues of their program of interest.

Accreditation

Accreditation from a recognized entity denotes that a school or program has met certain standards of quality. This is typically a voluntary process which evaluates how a program (or institution) manages their finances; what student services are available (e.g., job placement assistance); and whether the school boasts comprehensive curricula and stellar faculty, among other variables. Accreditation of one’s program may affect whether a student is eligible for financial aid, professional credentialing, employment, or admittance to graduate degree programs.

It’s important to note that not all forms of accreditation are the same. In fact, prospective students are encouraged to apply to 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). Also, aspiring engineers should note that accreditation can be granted on a regional, national, or programmatic level. Here are the main organizations which accredit PA-based online programs in engineering.

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 Status

Along with accreditation, students must ensure that they have appropriate “state authorization” status. To be sure, students in Pennsylvania may only attend programs that have been authorized to operate in the state. This is important when a student is located in a different state than his or her online program. Generally, this information is readily available on a school’s website (e.g., Penn State World Campus), or can be retrieved from program coordinators.

Admissions Requirements

In most cases, online engineering programs in Pennsylvania retain the same admissions criteria as their on-campus counterparts. For example, an online bachelor’s degree program may require official transcripts from a high school or GED program; a competitive GPA (e.g., >2.75 or 3.0); proof of specific course prerequisites (e.g., calculus, physics, chemistry, algebra, etc.); a personal essay; SAT or ACT scores; and two letters of recommendation. Graduate degree programs, by comparison, generally ask for proof of a qualifying undergraduate degree in engineering (or a related field) with specific coursework; a competitive GPA (e.g., >3.0); letters of recommendation from professors or employers; GRE scores (sometimes optional); and a statement of purpose. Finally, graduate certificate programs typically call for submit proof of an undergraduate (or graduate) degree with relevant coursework; letters of recommendation; a CV or resume; and a personal letter. Please note that at all levels, more in-demand programs may have additional requirements such as a portfolio review or a candidate interview.

Jocelyn Blore

After graduating from UC Berkeley, Jocelyn traveled the world for five years as an English teacher and freelance writer. After stints in England, Japan, and Brazil, she settled in San Francisco and worked as a managing editor for a tech company. She’s recently become interested in the underrepr...