Online Engineering Schools in Texas

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In Texas, engineers make up a significant part of the workforce and play an invaluable role across various industries. And according to U.S. employment projections, this is likely to continue well into the future. Predictions from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024) reported that job opportunities for architecture and engineering occupations are expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations from 2022 to 2032. About 188,000 openings are projected each year, on average, in these occupations due to employment growth and the need to replace workers who leave the occupations permanently.

That said, some specializations are expected to be more in demand nationwide than others. Here are a few of the fastest-growing engineering subfields listed with their expected growth:

Industrial engineering – 12 percent increase (38,400 new jobs)
Mechanical engineering – 10 percent increase (28,500 new jobs)
Chemical engineering – 8 percent increase (1,700 new jobs)
Aerospace engineering – 6 percent increase (3,900 new jobs)
Environmental engineering – 6 percent increase (2,900 new jobs)

In Texas specifically, the expected percentages were even higher. According to Projections Central (2024), the top-growing subfields of engineering between 2020 and 2030 included:

Petroleum Engineers – 26.8 percent increase (3,890 new jobs)
Industrial Engineers – 26.4 percent increase (5,200 new jobs)
Chemical engineers – 25.2 percent increase (1,430 new jobs)
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators – 23.4 percent increase (10,320 new jobs)
Materials Engineers – 23.1 percent increase (510 new jobs)
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer – 22.3 percent increase (2,280 new jobs)

Notably, many of the average salaries for Texas engineers are higher than national averages. This is especially relevant because the cost of living in Texas is substantially lower than in most U.S. states. As proof of point, the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2024) found that TX boasted the 14th most affordable cost of living in the U.S. with particular savings in housing relative to the rest of the country.

There are many university programs—including distance-based training—available for aspiring engineers across all specializations to prepare for this high-growth, high-paying career field.

This guide examines accredited online engineering schools in TX with discussions of admissions requirements, programs at all levels, professors, and other relevant information.

Featured Online Engineering Programs
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University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)	Online MSE - Engineering Management	Visit Site
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Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Engineering

Most entry-level engineering positions require bachelor’s degrees, and an undergraduate degree can enhance one’s earning prospects and ability to get into graduate programs. Although some engineering disciplines are more popular than others (e.g., civil engineering), a degree in any engineering field can certainly lead to a meaningful and lasting career. Please note that at the undergraduate level, most distance-based engineering programs are in computer science, software engineering, or related subjects.

Due to the essentially hands-on nature of fields such as mechanical, civil, or aerospace engineering, online programs in those sub-disciplines are generally concentrated at the graduate degree level. The following provides a few examples of engineering programs that offer online degrees in Texas.

Online BS in Computer Information Science – Lamar University

At Lamar University in Beaumont, students have the option to pursue an online bachelor of science (BS) degree in computer information science that emphasizes topics such as programming languages, data structures, software engineering, theory of programming languages, databases, networking, applications of computer science, computer architecture, and multimedia.

Students take courses such as operating systems; computer networks; database design; software engineering; discrete structures; cybersecurity systems; network system administration; computer law and ethics; computer organization assembly language; and cybersecurity networks, among others. The bachelor’s degree requires the completion of 120 required credits. Multiple start dates are available throughout the year, and students can complete all of the courses online.

Upon completion, graduates will be awarded a BS degree in computer information science that will prepare them for a professional career as data scientists, network architects, systems analysts, web developers, software engineers, or advanced graduate work in computer science.

Lamar University also offers an ABET-accredited online bachelor of science degree in industrial engineering and an online bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering. The electrical engineering program can be completed entirely online and requires the completion of 120 credits. The bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering comprises 121 credits.

Location: Beaumont, TX
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Expected Time to Completion: 48 months

Online BS in Electrical Engineering – West Texas A&M University

Students at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, TX can obtain an online ABET-accredited bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering which focuses on electric power and energy systems. Notably, the program may have mandatory face-to-face sessions totaling not more than fifteen percent of the instructional time. There are a few senior design laboratory sessions in the final year, which might require students to be present on campus. Examples of other face-to-face sessions include laboratory courses, orientation, an in-person test, or exam review.

Students in the 125-credit program take courses on fundamentals of engineering; introduction of electronic devices and circuits; linear integrated circuits and applications; digital design fundamentals; circuits; signals and systems; control systems; electric machines; electric power devices; power electronics and power management; and electric drives, among others.

Location: Canyon, TX
Accreditation: ABET; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Expected Time to Completion: 48 months

Online Master’s Degrees in Engineering

Of course, while a bachelor’s degree in engineering helps gain employment, a master’s degree is often preferable for those who wish to develop a more thorough knowledge and understanding of a certain specialty. In addition, a graduate degree holder is also more likely to find positions that offer leadership opportunities and greater compensation. In light of this, anyone who is interested in pursuing an online graduate degree in engineering may wish to consider one of the options listed below:

Master of Engineering in Industrial Engineering (MEIE) – Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University of College Station, TX offers students the chance to pursue a master of engineering in industrial engineering (MEIE) or a master of science in engineering management completely online. These are non-thesis graduate degree programs.

The online 30-credit MEIE program features instruction in logistics and inventory control; quality engineering; human factors; engineering economy; data analytics, models and tools; and optimization models and tools, among other subjects.

The online 30-credit engineering management degree program offers coursework in engineering data analysis; survey of optimization; human operator in complex systems; engineering management control systems; and four courses in a concentration area (e.g., business; analytics; supply chain and logistics engineering; systems development; systems engineering; manufacturing systems management and control).

As of this writing (May 2023), only the analytics; supply chain and logistics engineering; and systems development specializations can be completed entirely online.

Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree in engineering or an engineering-related field, a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0, a completed online application, unofficial transcripts, a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae, and English language proficiency for international applicants.

Location: College Station, TX
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Expected Time to Completion: Full-time (18 to 24 months); part-time (36 months)

Master of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) – The University of Texas at Austin

At the University of Texas at Austin’s Cockrell School of Engineering, students can pursue an MS degree in mechanical engineering entirely online. The program is asynchronous, meaning students can take courses on their own time, and requires the successful completion of 30 credits. No thesis or final project is necessary to finish the degree. The U.S. News & World Report ranks this mechanical engineering master’s degree at No. 9 among the best mechanical engineering programs in the country.

The program, which comprises 30 credits, includes courses such as heat transfer in industrial systems, fluid mechanics in industrial processes, applied thermodynamics, introduction to automatic control, modeling, simulation, and control of physical systems, introduction to manufacturing systems, engineering economics, and several others.

To get accepted into the program, applicants must have a bachelor of science degree in engineering or a related field, a minimum grade point average of 3.0, a statement of purpose, a current resume, two professional letters of recommendation, and TOEFL or IELTS scores for international students.

Location: Austin, TX
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

Master of Science in Chemical Engineering – Texas Tech University

Texas Tech University’s Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering offers several engineering online master’s degree programs. One such program is an online master of science program in chemical engineering that builds upon the foundational knowledge developed at the bachelor’s level. This program is available in both the thesis and non-thesis options. The thesis degree requires 30 credits, while the non-thesis degree requires students to complete 36 credits to graduate.

The curriculum includes courses such as advanced chemical engineering techniques; fluids transport principles & analysis; advanced chemical engineering thermodynamics; digital computation for chemical engineers; and reaction kinetics.

Location: Lubbock, TX
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

Other Online Engineering Programs

Bachelor’s or master’s degree programs are not the only distance-based program options available for aspiring engineers in Texas; instead, several individuals choose to enroll in other types, some of which are detailed below:

AS in Computer Science – Lone Star College

Lone Star College in the Woodlands offers students the opportunity to complete an associate of science (AS) degree in computer science in only two years. Furthermore, the degree is also meant to satisfy the lower requirements of a bachelor’s degree, meaning graduates can transfer into the second half of a four-year program directly upon completion.

The 60-credit program includes courses in introduction to physical fitness and wellness, programming fundamentals, general chemistry, discrete mathematics, university physics, the federal government, computer organization, and linear algebra.

Location: Woodlands, TX
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

AS in Computer Science – South Texas College

At South Texas College in McAllen, students can complete an AS degree in computer science where they will learn to develop and implement algorithms for solving scientific or mathematical problems, use object-oriented programming skills for solving given tasks, communicate effectively, and select appropriate methods for creating program solutions.

Students will take courses on programming fundamentals; computer organization; introduction to logic; Texas government; the federal government; pre-calculus math; and other required classes. The program requires 60 credits to complete and generally takes two years, after which students have the option to transfer into a four-year bachelor’s degree program.

Graduates of the program will be able to take up positions such as computer programmers, software engineers, programmer analysts, computer and information scientists, information security analysts, computer hardware engineers, computer operators, and desktop publishers, among many more such roles.

Location: McAllen, TX
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

Graduate Certificate in Mechanical Engineering Controls – University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas at Austin’s Cockrell School of Engineering offers an online graduate certificate in mechanical engineering controls which is ideal for engineers of all levels interested in expanding their skills and knowledge of the control and optimization of systems and processes.

Applicants to the program must have a bachelor of science program in engineering or a related field with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Additionally, they must also submit a resume and a statement of purpose. TOEFL or IELTS scores are required of international students.

This nine-credit program includes courses such as statistical methods for process control and manufacturing; modeling, simulation, and control of physical systems; and introduction to automatic control.

Location: Austin, TX
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Expected Time to Completion: Less than a year

While the above are all excellent options for distance-based training in engineering, there’s a wealth of programs at all levels located in other states that may admit students from Texas. To examine the options, be sure to check out the types of engineering degrees and main online engineering programs pages.

Online Engineering Programs – What to Consider

Students consider various factors when considering an engineering program, including the school’s reputation, the program’s cost, the time it takes to complete the degree or certificate, graduation rates, admissions requirements, and other variables.

That said, individuals searching for flexibility regarding time and location may find that an online program meets their needs. Many online engineering programs promise to offer a quality education while allowing students to work at their own pace from a remote location.

Of course, an online degree may not be for everyone, and not all online engineering programs are created equal. Before enrollment, aspiring students are encouraged to seek out answers to the following questions:

Are students required to visit the campus during the program? If so, how many campus visits are required?
How long does the program take to complete? Can students complete it entirely on their schedule, or are they required to attend virtual lessons in real time? Can the program be completed on a part-time basis?
Can students complete practical experience credits in their community or do students need to travel to other locations to complete these requirements?
Do students receive job placement assistance after graduation? Do other student services exist, such as advisors and student-run organizations?
Do online students pay the same as in-state students?

Furthermore, aspiring online students should determine whether or not their program of choice has both accreditation and proper state authorization status before making any decisions.

Engineering Program Accreditation

Accreditation status shows that a program has met specific quality standards and has received approval from an accrediting agency. Accreditation status demonstrates that a program or institution has met baseline measures of merit concerning school management of finances, accessibility of student services, comprehensiveness of curricula, faculty qualifications, and several other factors.

Ultimately, graduation from an accredited program has several benefits; for example, applicants may be required for certain graduate programs, certifications, or jobs, and enrollment in an accredited program may be a prerequisite for obtaining financial aid.

Overall, aspiring online engineering students should search for programs that have received accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education’s Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Furthermore, aspiring students should note that accreditation will be available through different national, regional, and programmatic organizations. Specifically, the following includes a list of organizations that accredit online engineering programs in Texas:

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

Additionally, students must attend online engineering schools that have been provided authorization to operate in their state. Generally, Texas residents who study in online programs based in their state will not have any issues, but some distance-based engineering programs in other states may not admit out-of-state residents from specific areas. Because of this, many aspiring engineering students in Texas should thoroughly review state policies before applying to any programs.

Luckily, many schools display this information directly on their website and for those that don’t, prospective students are encouraged to contact program staff to ensure eligibility.

Admissions Requirements for Online Engineering Programs in Texas

Generally, online engineering programs in Texas have admissions requirements similar to those of their on-campus counterparts. While each program may have specific requirements unique to its institution, several criteria will likely remain the same during the application process. The following is a list of common requirements for online engineering programs during the application process.

Online Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering Admissions

A high school diploma or GED with proof of coursework in hard sciences (e.g., physics, chemistry, biology) and advanced mathematics
A GPA of above 2.5 for some programs, or 3.0 for others
Letters of recommendation provided by two high school teachers
A personal statement or statement of purpose (500-600 words)
ACT or SAT scores
Application fee

Online Master’s Degree in Engineering Admissions

A bachelor’s degree in engineering, although other degrees may be accepted in some circumstances
An undergraduate GPA of above 2.5 for some programs, or above 3.0 for more selective institutions
GRE test scores (waivers often available)
A statement of purpose or other types of personal essay
Letters of recommendation from professors, employers, advisors, or other qualifying professionals
Application fee

Online Certificates in Engineering Admissions

A bachelor’s degree in engineering
Letters of recommendation
A personal essay or statement of purpose
CV or resume
Application fee

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...