Online Engineering Degree Programs in Washington

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Aspiring engineers in the Pacific Northwest enjoy an especially bright career outlook in coming years. For one, those residing near Seattle not only enjoy the benefits of American juggernauts Microsoft, Boeing, Amazon, and others, but they also have the University of Washington, which boasts one of the strongest engineering programs in the nation. Of course, some choose to pursue a degree at the institution, and many others benefit tangentially from UW’s continuing education, networking opportunities, and the proximity to other talented individuals.

Furthermore, a myriad job opportunities exist for engineers in all subfields in Washington (WA). By illustration, a search for WA-based positions on Engineering Jobs (July 2017) yielded an astounding 10,095 relevant results. And the widespread prevalence of jobs is expected to continue to grow throughout the next decade. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (October 2016) predicted significant growth among various fields of engineering nationally: biomedical engineering (23.1 percent increase in job openings between 2014 and 2024); environmental engineering (12.4 percent increase); marine engineering (8.9 percent increase); and civil engineering (8.4 percent increase).

And the prospects are expected to be even brighter in Washington. Projections Central (2017) predicted the following percentage increases in engineering openings across the Evergreen State: computer hardware engineers (37.7 percent increase in job openings between 2014 and 2024); computer programmers (21.6 percent increase); environmental engineers (18.2 percent increase); civil engineers (12.6 percent increase); and mechanical engineers (11.6 percent increase). Notably, all of these national and WA-specific percentages are significantly higher than the average growth anticipated across all U.S. occupations during that same decade (6.5 percent).

Finally, engineering professionals in Washington are also able to enjoy the support of various societies and organizations that operate throughout the state, which provide networking, training, yearly events, and other resources. Some of the exceptional associations in WA include:

So how does a person become an engineer in Washington? While traditional, on-campus degrees may be the right choice for some, a growing number of students are choosing to enroll in online engineering programs. These distance-based degrees offer a high-quality education while allowing students a much greater amount of flexibility and scheduling convenience with their studies.

This guide provides information about accredited online engineering schools in WA, as well as three talented professors and expected coursework within various degree paths.

Online Engineering Professors in Washington

Here are three accomplished researchers and educators who teach engineering and related fields at institutions with online degree programs:

Dr. Michael Bragg – University of Washington

Dr. Michael Bragg is the Frank & Julie Jungers Dean of Engineering at the University of Washington, where he serves as the chief academic officer of the college and provides leadership to over 240 faculty and more than 6,800 students. He has received an array of awards, including the NASA Tech Brief Initial Award in 2011 and the general chair position at the AIAA Aerospace Science Meeting in 2007. He currently teaches aerodynamics and flight mechanics at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Also, he holds two patents, and his articles have appeared in a host of publications, including the Journal of Aircraft, the AIAA Journal, Transactions of the ASME, and the Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, among others.

James Brown, Central Washington University

James Brown earned his M.E.T. at Boise State University and teaches various courses at Central Washington University, including computer applications, web fundamentals, spreadsheet applications, integrated IT applications, and the applications of web languages, among others. He’s been instrumental in the development of the web-based curriculum and has extensive professional experience programming languages such as DOS batch scripting, SQL, C++, Jquery, and HTML, among many others.

Dr. Luna Magpili – Washington State University

Dr. Luna Magpili is a clinical associate professor within the Department of Engineering and Technology Management at Washington State University. Her areas of expertise include systems and industrial engineering, quality management, supply chain management, operations research, risk management, and decision support systems. She has extensive professional experience as an industrial engineer and consultant, and she’s improved the quality and productivity of various Philippine manufacturing and export enterprises. She has also acted as a referee for various journals, including Risk Analysis, Environmental Science and Technology, and Environmental Monitoring and Assessment.

Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Engineering in WA

Having at least a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a closely related field is a typical prerequisite for employment, professional certification, and admissions to graduate school. Here are two online bachelor’s degree programs based in Washington State:

Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and Administrative Management – Central Washington University

At Central Washington University in Ellensburg, aspiring computer or network security engineers can complete a B.S. in information technology with a specialization in cybersecurity. This program is offered entirely online, and includes coursework in networking, web information management, and human-centered skills, among others. Students must complete between 94 and 98 credit-hours in order to receive their degree. The program costs $5,900 per year for in-state students taking between 10 and 18 credit-hours.

Bachelor of Science in Software Development – Western Governors University of Washington

Western Governors University of Washington—an entirely online university—offers a distance-based B.S. in software development, which comprises 122 competency units (i.e., credits). Classes focus on the information technology fundamentals, web development, data management, software applications, and technical writing, and students may earn various certifications simultaneously, as well. This program costs $2,890 per term, or $5,780 annually.

Online Master’s Degrees in Engineering in WA

While some engineers cease their formal education after obtaining a bachelor’s degree, others go on to earn a master’s in order to enhance their knowledge of a specific field, secure leadership positions, or increase their salary prospects. Here are two online master’s degrees in engineering from institutions in WA:

Master of Science in Software Engineering – Washington State University

At Washington State University in Pullman, engineers wishing to deepen their knowledge can pursue an online M.S. degree in software engineering. This 30 credit-hour program allows students to study full- or part-time, and includes core classes in algorithms, software requirements, and software design and architecture, as well as a number of electives. Tuition for this program costs $5,868 per semester for full-time students, or $587 per credit-hour for students who are studying part-time.

Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering – University of Washington

Working engineers may consider a distance-based M.S. in aerospace engineering from the prestigious University of Washington in Seattle. This degree is meant to be completed part-time, and typically takes three years. Students may focus on different concentrations, including controls, fluids, structures, and composites, and must successfully complete 45 credit-hours in order to graduate. Tuition for this program costs $940 per credit-hour. Additional fees may apply.

Other Online Engineering Programs in WA

In addition to online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, aspiring engineers can pursue other web-based academic pathways. Here are two standout graduate certificates which may be ideal for working engineers:

Graduate Certificate in Systems Engineering Management – Washington State University

Current systems engineers looking to move into a more managerial position may pursue a graduate certificate in systems engineering management at Washington State University. This 12 credit-hour program includes classes such as applications of constraint management, project management, introduction to systems management, and systems engineering analysis and practice. Notably, these credits can be applied to a master’s degree program as well. The certificate costs $1,375 per credit-hour, excluding additional fees.

Certificate in Engineering Leadership – University of Washington

Through the University of Washington, engineers can earn a certificate in engineering leadership entirely online. This program takes up to 12 months to complete and covers four courses, including navigating the business environment, technical leadership, decision analysis in engineering, and project performance. Multiple start dates are offered throughout the year, and the total cost of the program is $10,800.

Online Engineering Programs – What to Consider

Prospective online engineering students should ensure that their programs are the right fit before applying. Here are some of the most important considerations:

Can students complete this program on a part-time basis?
What is the total cost of the program? Does this include all associated fees and other expenses?
Will the school assist with job placement after graduation?
Does the school offer other online student services during and after the program?
Will students be able to complete practical experience credits in their home community, or will they need to travel to designated areas?
Is the program conducted entirely online? If not, how often will students be required to travel to the campus?

Additionally, students should determine whether the programs they are considering are both accredited and authorized to operate in Washington.

Accreditation

In general, graduating from an accredited program is a prerequisite to earning a Professional Engineer (PE) license, and may be a qualification for graduate school or competitive places of employment. Accreditation through an established organization is essentially a measure of program quality, ensuring that the faculty, curriculum, administration, and student outcomes all hit specific baseline standards. Students are advised to look for programs that have received accreditation by an organization approved by the U.S. Department of Education’s Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Here is a list of the established entities which offer accreditation to online engineering programs in WA:

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 Status

In addition to accreditation, prospective online engineering students must also ensure that their program has appropriate “state authorization.” While this isn’t an issue when a student and their online program are based in the same state, sometimes there is a legal restriction in one state which prohibits students from enrolling in another state’s programs. A majority of online engineering schools present this information on their websites (e.g., Washington State University), and for those which don’t, students should contact program coordinators to ensure eligibility.

Admissions Requirements

Lastly, the admissions criteria for online engineering programs is typically identical to an institution’s on-campus programs. Here is a list of common application materials derived from real online engineering schools in WA:

Online Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering Requirements

Completed application and fee
GED or high school diploma
At least a 2.5 GPA with high marks in math and science courses
Proof of prerequisite courses (e.g., algebra, calculus, physics, chemistry, biology)
Two or more letters of recommendation
Standardized test scores (e.g., SAT, ACT)
A statement of purpose or other required essay

Online Master’s Degree in Engineering Requirements

Completed application(s) and fee (NOTE: Some online engineering schools require separate applications to the graduate school and engineering department)
Official transcript from a bachelor’s degree program in engineering (or a related field)
At least a 3.0 GPA
Proof of prerequisite courses (varies by degree program)
GRE scores
Letters of recommendation from professors or employers
A statement of purpose

Online Graduate or Professional Certificate Requirements

Completed application and fee
A bachelor’s degree in engineering
Resume or CV
Letters of recommendation
A personal essay

Online Programs for WASHINGTON Students

Arizona State University

Online BSE - Engineering Management

Online BS - Software Engineering

Online BSE - Electrical Engineering

Nuclear Power Generation (Graduate Certificate) - Online

Construction Management (MS) - Online

Engineering: Engineering Management (MEng) - Online

Engineering: Systems Engineering (MEng) - Online

Lewis University

Online MS in CS - Cybersecurity

Online MS in CS - Intelligent Systems

Online MS in CS - Software Engineering

Online MS - Data Science

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