To work in engineering technology, one must have a high school diploma. Some high schools have begun offering specialized classes and programs that expose young people to engineering careers. For example, Lehigh Career & Technical Institute in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, offers industry certifications to high school pre-engineering and engineering technology students.
Interested high school students should consider taking certain classes in preparation for this field, such as advanced math and science courses and computer science. Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) academies and summer enrichment programs are also available throughout the United States, offering students a taste of this career pathway and gauging their aptitude for future success.
Pioneer Academics, for example, offers online summer classes to high school students. Students complete a rigorous 12-week engineering research project. Upon completion, students receive college credits they can use when earning an undergraduate degree.
Aspiring engineering technologists have two options when pursuing a college degree. The first is a two-year associate degree. The second is a four-year bachelor of science degree.
Two-year associate degree programs lead to the certification of an engineering technician. These professionals are important problem-solving individuals who work in laboratories and manufacturing facilities. The faculty who teach these programs may be master’s degree holders in engineering or engineering technology or have a professional engineer (PE) license.
The outlook for engineering technicians differs by subfield. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2023), job growth nationally between 2022 and 2032 should increase by 1 percent for mechanical engineering technicians, 1 percent for civil engineering technicians, and 1 percent for electrical engineering technicians. The median range of income for a graduate of this type of program is $57,941 a year, according to Indeed (2024).
While many community colleges offer associate degree programs, various online options are also available.
DeVry University offers an online associate degree program in engineering technology delivering hands-on learning experience and foundational knowledge in the measurement, implementation, and testing of secured digital devices and systems. Graduates will be able to learn the fundamentals they need to develop a versatile skill set that helps them become adaptable and agile in today’s evolving tech space, from data management and programming languages to security protocols and interconnected devices.
In addition to the general option, students in this program can choose from concentrations in machine learning and design techniques; medical technology and healthcare systems; and renewable energy and sustainable power.
Made up of 64 credits, the program includes courses such as introduction to technology and information systems; introduction to operating systems; introduction to programming; introduction to digital devices; fundamentals of information technology and networking; fundamentals of cloud computing; fundamentals of information systems security; electronic device and system foundations; automation and controls; and ethical and legal issues in the professions.
Thomas Edison State University
Thomas Edison State University has several associate degree programs for aspiring engineering technologists, including aviation flight technology, biomedical electronics, clinical laboratory science, computer and information technology, electrical technology, electronics engineering technology, nuclear engineering technology, and technical studies.
As an example, let’s take the electronics engineering technology program. This area of study is designed for individuals employed in several phases of the electronics industry, such as avionics, computer hardware, and communications. The program comprises 60 credits including courses such as critical information literacy; forensic science; introduction to sociology; DC circuits; AC circuits; digital electronics; microprocessors; and solid-state devices and circuits.
Graduates of bachelor-level engineering technology programs use their engineering knowledge, scientific expertise, and technical skills to support engineering work. Although still focused on applying engineering principles, these professionals have a stronger foundation of theoretical and mathematical concepts than their associate degree counterparts—but less than engineering bachelor degree holders.
Engineering technologists are typically involved in product development, manufacturing, product assurance, sales, and program management. ABET specifies that the faculty that teaches these programs have a minimum of a master’s degree in engineering or engineering technology or equivalent, or a PE license and a master’s degree. Career website Glassdoor (2024) reports that engineering technologists with bachelor’s degrees can earn roughly $75,000 annually on average.
Grantham University offers online programs in computer engineering technology and electronics engineering technology. The university touts a comprehensive support structure that includes a student success partners program, a teaching and learning center, and a career center.
The computer engineering technology bachelor’s degree prepares students with the skills and knowledge for success as professional engineering technologists, specifically in the computing and computing technology fields, while the electronics engineering technology program provides students with the skills and knowledge to enter the workforce as professional engineering technologists, specifically in the electronic field.
Both programs require 120 credits and can be completed in 38 months. Common coursework includes programming in C++; digital electronics; microprocessor systems engineering; fundamental properties of DC and AC circuits; circuit analysis; and technical project management.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University offers a bachelor’s degree in engineering technology. With more than 130 locations worldwide and an online option, students can customize their degrees in many ways, including by concentration. The program prepares students to put their engineering knowledge and skills to work in various industries.
Specialization options include aeronautical science; helicopter operations and safety; aviation safety; logistics management; occupational safety and health; and management information systems.
Consisting of 122 credits, the program includes courses such as digital circuit design; material science for engineering technology; thermodynamics for engineering technology; control systems; solid mechanics; and fluid mechanics. Virtual labs, research projects, and a capstone course round out the curriculum, ensuring that graduates have the fundamental skills needed to achieve their career aspirations.
Engineering technologists who have completed a four-year bachelor of science program can further their education, hone their skills, and elevate their career options and salary range with a graduate degree.
Monster (2024) highlighted that master’s degree programs in engineering and technology management often have the highest rate of return concerning salaries. The median pay in those jobs for master’s degree graduates ranges from $111,000 to $150,000 annually.
The University of Maine offers an online master of science program in engineering technology that applies several aspects of the engineering technological spectrum and helps students develop marketable skills that meet the demands of the modern workforce. Students in this program explore industrial practices, product management, and engineering technology operation functions with a flexible format designed for working professionals. The program includes concentration options in surveying engineering technology and electrical engineering technology.
This 30-credit program includes six credits of applied field experience, three credits of advanced project management, and 21 credits of surveying engineering technology or electrical engineering technology electives. Picking a concentration is mandatory.
Courses include fundamentals of engineering: electrical and computer; power systems analysis; protective relay applications; automation and integration; geographic information systems; small business management; geodetic US public land survey computations; advanced digital photogrammetry; and engineering economics.
Purdue University also offers an online master’s degree in engineering technology. Part of the Purdue Polytechnic Institute, Purdue’s program is designed for students who have an undergraduate degree in engineering technology, engineering, science, business, or information technology. Graduates work in various Fortune 500 companies, including Caterpillar, Rolls-Royce, Ford Motor Company, and Johnson & Johnson, to name a few.
Admission requirements for the Purdue master’s in engineering technology include:
Made up of 30 credits, the program includes coursework in technology from a global perspective; collaborative leadership and agile strategy; facilities engineering technology; applied engineering statistics for industry; energy sustainability and management; manufacturing systems design for sustainability; and internet of things and cybersecurity.
In the U.S., graduates of an ABET-accredited bachelor’s degree in engineering technology may pursue entry-level employment. However, technologists typically earn certification as a technologist through one of several independent societies and organizations.
The National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) is the primary certification professionals in this field earn. They offer two levels of certifications depending on work experience and education. The technician certification is offered in six categories, including civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering. They include:
To be eligible for technician certification, candidates must have at least six months of work experience related to the specific certification. If candidates have more work experience, they can apply for a higher level of certification up to level four. Level three also requires a letter of recommendation, and level four requires a letter of recommendation and proof of senior responsibilities.
Candidates must also pass an exam on their particular engineering technology specialization. Exam fees range from $230 to $410, depending on the exam and the level. All exams are computer-based and vary in length and time.
There are two technologist-level certifications, neither of which require an exam. The Associate Engineering Technologist (AT) certification requires candidates to simply have a four-year ABET-accredited engineering technology degree.
Candidates must submit an online application and pay a $160 application fee. To earn the Certified Engineering Technologist (CT), candidates must have an ABET-accredited engineering technology degree, present five years of work experience, submit two letters of recommendation, and pay a $190 application fee.
The Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) also offers two levels of certification in technology management. The first is a certified technology manager (CTM) certification. To be eligible, candidates must have either a bachelor’s or associate’s in technical, technology, technology management, or engineering. The exam is offered online but requires a proctor. Candidates will have two hours to answer the 160 questions. While this exam is open book, candidates may not use any online or digital references. Fees range from $30 to $150 depending on the ATMAE membership level.
The second certification is that of a certified senior technology manager (CSTM). This is awarded to professionals who are eligible for (or have earned) a CTM certification and completed 30 units of continuing education. No additional fee or exam is required.
Membership in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) comprises students, engineers, and scientists from more than 160 countries. Resources include highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, and professional and educational activities.
The National Technical Information Service (NTIS) is part of the United States Department of Commerce and was established originally after World War II as the Publication Board to house the world’s most comprehensive collection of U.S.-sponsored technical research. While still a focus, the NTIS also provides innovative data services to federal agencies.
The American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) promotes quality engineering technology education through scholarship, innovation, and industry engagement. Annual conferences and a leadership institute offer workshops, technical sessions, and training focusing on partnerships between education, industry, and government.
The National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NSPE) has certified more than 135,000 engineering technicians and technologists since 1961 and is recognized and often required by many employers to show proficiency. The website also features a job board for industry openings.
With a keen understanding of the challenges and opportunities in higher education, Kimmy Gustafson regularly contributes insightful articles to OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com, providing readers with a comprehensive view on the evolving landscape of engineering education since 2019. She has intervi...
Before beginning a career as an engineer, one must typically earn at least a bachelor’s degree. Learn more about the professors who teach in these programs, specifically those teaching engineering technology students to solve complex real-world problems by applying engineering principles in a variety of specialized areas.
