If you’re looking to get an engineering degree but feel like you don’t have enough time, you should consider enrolling in one of the fastest online engineering degrees. These types of accelerated programs allow you to complete your program faster without having to leave your house.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the fastest engineering degrees, including the best accelerated online engineering degrees. We’ll discuss how long they take to complete, where you can get them, and how you can finish your online engineering degree fast.
What Is an Accelerated Engineering Degree?
An accelerated engineering degree is a program that takes less time to complete than a regular engineering degree. They cover the same topics and offer the same outcomes as regular degrees, but allow you to save time, money, and enter the job market faster.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), education pays. People with college degrees earn more money and have lower unemployment rates than those who only have a high school diploma or less.
Accelerated online engineering degrees allow you to graduate and enter the workforce a lot faster than normal. This means that your education starts paying off earlier as you’re eligible for higher-paying engineering jobs.
How Do Accelerated Degrees Work?
Accelerated engineering degrees work by condensing courses into five to 10 weeks of classes, instead of the regular 16 weeks per semester, during regular-length engineering degrees. The same amount of courses are covered, just a lot faster.
These programs are also more flexible than regular ones. Many times they allow students to begin their classes whenever they decide to, instead of having to wait until the next academic year. Plus, they can also go through a course and jump to the next one without having to wait.
Types of Accelerated Engineering Degrees
Many schools offer accelerated versions of different types of engineering degrees. From accelerated associate degrees to combined bachelor’s and master’s degrees, you’ll be able to find a fast engineering degree that suits your needs and meets your expectations.
Accelerated Associate Degrees
Accelerated associate degrees are a great way for students to access entry-level engineering jobs quickly. They usually take a year and a half to complete instead of two, and they can be completed even faster in different ways.
Students that can prove their knowledge on a particular topic can take specialized tests that award them the credits they need, instead of having to sit through the courses. They can also enroll in an associate to bachelor’s degree program to reduce the amount of time they’d need to get a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering.
Accelerated Bachelor’s Degrees
Accelerated bachelor’s degrees allow students to graduate in under four years. How fast they complete their studies depends on how fast-paced the degree is and how many previously-earned credit hours they can transfer.
Some undergraduate programs, for example, allow students to transfer the credits from an entire associate’s degree. Since these types of degrees are usually equivalent to the first two years of a bachelor’s degree, students can get their Bachelor of Science degree in as little as two years.
Accelerated Master’s Degrees
Accelerated master’s degrees usually take one year to complete instead of two. Courses are condensed and classes take fewer weeks to complete, but graduate students still access the same level of high-quality education that they would in a regular graduate degree program.
Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees
Combined bachelor’s and master’s degree programs are a fast-track option for dedicated students who want to complete a graduate program in record time. These degrees are also known as five-year programs or 4+1 programs, as they only take five years to complete.
After finishing their four-year bachelor’s degree, students can then immediately enroll in a related master’s degree and complete it in only one year instead of two. The educational content remains the same for both the bachelor’s and the master’s degree with its organization the only aspect that changes.
Who Should Get an Accelerated Engineering Degree?
People who want to save time, money, and get into the job market faster should get an accelerated engineering degree. Fast-paced programs require a lot of dedication, but they also allow you to pay less tuition because you’re enrolled for less time.
Working professionals who want to access higher-paying careers in their field can also benefit from an accelerated engineering degree. They use their expertise and professional experience as a way to get academic credit, thus completing their chosen programs even faster.
Best Accelerated Degrees
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How to Get an Engineering Degree Fast
- Be a full-time student. If you have the opportunity to enroll as a full-time student and complete as many credit hours as possible per semester, you’ll be able to finish your engineering degree faster.
- Take a CLEP exam. If you know everything that’s being discussed in a course and don’t want to sit through it, take a CLEP exam. CLEP exams evaluate your engineering knowledge and award college credit that you can use to cut your program time.
- Enroll in summer classes. Take advantage of summer semesters if you can. By enrolling in summer classes you’ll be able to complete them earlier than normal, bringing you one step closer to graduation.
- Sign up for the winter interim session. Not all schools close down for winter break, especially online schools. If you happen to be enrolled in one of those schools, be sure to enroll in their winter interim sessions to catch up on some credits.
- Transfer credits. Previously-completed degrees are helpful when it comes to accelerating your graduation. Be sure to transfer as many credits as possible from those degrees to expedite the process.
What Is the Fastest Online Engineering Degree?
The fastest online engineering degree is the Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering from the University of New Mexico. This program can be completed in one year instead of two, through eight-week courses. It is for people with previous knowledge and professional experience in civil engineering looking for career advancement.
Fastest Online Engineering Degrees: The Basics
| Degree Title | School | Required Time |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering | University of New Mexico | 1 year |
| Master of Engineering Management | Arkansas State University | 1 year |
| Master of Science in Engineering Management | Trine University | 1 year |
| Master of Science in Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Specialization | University of California-Riverside | 13 months |
| Associate of Science in Electronics Technology | Colorado Technical University | 1.5 years |
| Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Software Engineering Concentration | Fisher College | 3.3 years |
| Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering | American Public University | 3 – 4 years |
| Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering | Regent University | 3 – 4 years |
| Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Software Engineering Concentration | Southern New Hampshire University | 3 – 4 years |
| Combined BS/MEng in Electrical Engineering | University of North Dakota | 4 – 6 years |
The Fastest Online Engineering Degrees, Explained
Over the following sections, we’ll cover some of the fastest online engineering degrees. We’ll go over how much they cost, how long they take to complete, and which agencies are responsible for their accreditation.
Fastest Engineering Degree Completion Programs
Degree completion programs are fast academic programs for students who’ve started a four-year degree but never completed it. These programs allow them to use all of the credits they previously earned. Below, we’ll discuss a few of the fastest degree completion programs.
- Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Technology | Old Dominion University. This online program from Old Dominion University can be used as a completion program for students that already possess up to 90 college credits. ODU only requires that students complete 30 credits with the university. The program prepares students for the Fundamentals of Engineering exam.
- Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering | Lamar University. This “2+2” program from Lamar University allows students to complete the final two years of the BS program from home. Students must complete at least six math-based lower division courses.
- Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering | St. Cloud State University. This program from St. Cloud State is very flexible because students can enroll full-time, take one course at a time, or even skip a term. It is for professionals with an education in IT or others with a different educational background who want to break into the field.
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology Management | University of South Carolina. The University of South Carolina offers a “2+2” completion program that allows students with an associate degree in engineering technology to complete their BS degree. This program takes two years to complete full-time.
- Bachelor of Science Electrical Engineering Degree Completion Program | Clemson University. Students can use previously-obtained credits from other colleges to complete this program at Clemson University. It is for people who work full-time in engineering, not students who have just graduated from high school.
Do Employers Respect Online Degrees?
Yes, employers respect online degrees. More and more students choose these kinds of programs for a wide range of reasons. This encourages schools to create online programs that are just as good as in-person versions.
The popularity of online degree programs has increased over the years. In fact, in 2020 around 7 million undergraduate students were exclusively enrolled in online programs, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Probably the most important aspect of choosing an online degree program is to make sure that you’re getting one from a respectable accredited school. Accreditation equals quality education and no employer can resist that.
What Jobs Can You Get with an Accelerated Engineering Degree?
- Computer Hardware Engineer | $136,230
- Aerospace Engineer | $122,970
- Electrical Engineer | $107,890
- Mechanical Engineer | $97,000
- Civil Engineer | $95,490
Best Accelerated Engineering Degree Jobs
The best accelerated engineering degree jobs include computer hardware engineers, aerospace engineers, and electrical engineers. Mechanical engineers and civil engineers are also considered top careers in this field.
Are Online Engineering Degrees Worth It?
Yes, online engineering degrees are worth it. They allow students with busy lives to access quality education that they wouldn’t be able to obtain otherwise, without compromising responsibilities. They’re also a great way for professionals to improve their skills and move up to management roles or other high-paying positions.
Students with an online engineering degree can work as civil, mechanical, electrical, and aerospace engineers. If you’d like a career as a software engineer, but feel like college isn’t for you, you should try out one of the best bootcamps for software engineering.
Fastest Online Engineering Degrees FAQ
To get accepted into engineering school, you must build your knowledge in STEM fields, research the school program’s history, and write a memorable personal statement. You should also focus on building a strong resume and choosing a specialization.
Yes, engineering is considered academically challenging for many online students. It requires a lot of hard work and the courses might be difficult. However, it all depends on how much you enjoy the field. There are also several branches of engineering, and choosing to focus on the one you like the most can make studying the field easier.
Some of the top companies hiring engineers include Apple, Cisco Systems Inc., and the BMW Group. Engineers working for these companies earn average annual salaries between $105,767 and $134,699.
Some of the most popular programming languages for engineers include Python, JavaScript, C++, and SQL. Engineers use these different languages to create software programs. The language they choose depends on the task at hand.
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