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.
- School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Tuition: $533.38/credit
- Graduation Rate: 54%
- Required Time: 1 year
The Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering from the University of New Mexico is a coursework-only, practice-oriented program that can be completed in one year. It is a great online option for civil engineering professionals who want advanced training in civil engineering practice and design.
- School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Tuition: $331/credit
- Graduation Rate: 54%
- Required Time: 1 year
Arkansas State University offers an online Master of Engineering Management degree that you can complete in one year. It is for any engineering professionals who want to work as engineering managers or pursue licensures. Students take seven-week long courses and don’t have to prepare a thesis to graduate.
- School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Tuition: $575/credit
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Required Time: 1 year
This program at Trine University can be completed online, at your own pace, in as little as one year. It is for people with engineering skills who want a future career in management. Courses cover topics that include business ethics, public speaking, decision-making, operations strategy, and marketing.
- School Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission
- Tuition: $875/credit
- Graduation Rate: 76%
- Required Time: 13 months
The mechanical engineering specialization from the University of California-Riverside can be completed in 13 months. Graduate students can complete it 100 percent online by choosing one of six concentration options. Engineering professionals can finish this program without taking a leave of absence from their jobs.
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- School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Tuition: $340/credit
- Graduation Rate: 23%
- Required Time: 1.5 years
Colorado Technical University’s Associate of Science in Electronics Technology program prepares online students for entry-level jobs as well as for a bachelor’s degree. In fact, this degree covers the first two years of the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering or the Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering.
Students can use CTU Fast Track Exams to get academic credit and complete their degrees faster, using their previous knowledge and professional experience. For this associate degree, students can get up to 13 credit hours by completing a maximum of three exams.
- School Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
- Tuition: $16,575/semester
- Graduation Rate: 36%
- Required Time: 3 years and 4 months
Online students can complete this undergraduate degree program from Fisher College in three years and four months. Those who complete the same program in person take longer because they must complete 15-week courses while online courses are only eight weeks in duration. Time to completion might even be shorter if students have transfer credits.
- School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Tuition: $285/credit
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Required Time: 3 - 4 years
This online electrical engineering bachelor's degree from American Public University includes accelerated courses in circuit design and analysis, communication systems, control systems, energy conversion, and transport. Students can transfer up to 90 credit hours, allowing them to complete the program in under four years.
- School Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Tuition: $395/credit (full-time); $450/credit (part-time)
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Required Time: 3 - 4 years
Regent University’s online Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering prepares students to conceptualize IT solutions by learning about systems thinking, software engineering and computer programming. This program can be completed in three to four years as students can transfer up to 90 credit hours.
- School Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
- Tuition: $320/credit
- Graduation Rate: 39%
- Required Time: 3 - 4 years
This online program from Southern New Hampshire University can be completed in less than four years if students transfer any credits from previous degrees. The software engineering concentration provides the necessary skills and hands-on experience students need to break into this field, allowing them to work as software engineers, UX developers, or even systems architecture designers.
- School Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Tuition: $643.95/credit
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Required Time: 4 - 6 years
The University of North Dakota offers an online combined electrical engineering degree. This dual degree option can be completed in four to six years, fast-tracking students’ options when it comes to breaking into the field, or applying for higher-paying jobs.
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.
- Average Salary: $136,230
- Job Outlook: 2% growth from 2020 to 2030
Computer hardware engineers conceptualize and create processors, memory devices, routers, and other computer systems and components. They modify all pieces, make sure they work correctly, and prepare them for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use.
- Average Salary: $122,970
- Job Outlook: 8% growth from 2020 to 2030
Aerospace engineers design and create tech pieces used in aviation, defense, and spacecraft including aircraft, satellites, and missiles. They’re able to research the usability of new materials and find ways to improve older equipment.
- Average Salary: $107,890
- Job Outlook: 7% growth from 2020 to 2030
Electrical engineers develop and install all sorts of electrical equipment for many different uses. Some of these products include electric motors, communication systems, and even navigation systems.
- Average Salary: $97,000
- Job Outlook: 7% growth from 2020 to 2030
Mechanical engineers work with a broader scope of tech in the engineering field. They are responsible for designing, creating, and testing machines, engines, medical devices, batteries, generators, elevators, and many other products and systems.
- Average Salary: $95,490
- Job Outlook: 8% growth from 2020 to 2030
Civil engineers construct and maintain infrastructure systems like roads, buildings, tunnels, bridges, and many other types of constructions. They can either work in the private or public sector.
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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