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Prior to seeking employment as an engineer or professional certification, it’s important to secure the appropriate training. A majority of engineers hold at least a bachelor’s degree. In addition to the prominent campus-based programs, here are two online engineering programs based in CO to consider.
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – Colorado Technical University
At Colorado Technical University in Colorado Springs, aspiring engineers can complete a distance-based bachelor of science (B.S.) in computer science with a focus on software engineering. This program requires 183 credit-hours in courses such as the fundamentals of software design, software service construction, software engineering, machine learning, and data mining, among others. Classes have multiple start dates annually, and tuition for this program is set at $59,475 for the 2017-18 school year. Additional fees may apply.
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – Regis University
Regis University in Denver also provides an online B.S. in computer science, which has been accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET. It requires between 128 and 133 credit-hours in subjects such as computational foundations, data structures, algorithms and complexity, web and database applications, mobile and enterprise computing, and others. The estimated total cost of the program ranges between $14,150 and $60,120, depending on a number of variables; interested students should contact program coordinators for a personalized tuition estimate.
There is an even richer array of online engineering programs at the master’s degree level. For professionals seeking opportunities in leadership, more in-depth research experience, or the prospect of a higher salary, achieving a graduate degree in engineering is advisable.
Master of Science in Computer Engineering – Colorado State University
At Colorado State University in Fort Collins, aspiring engineers can pursue an online master of science (M.S.) degree in computer engineering. This 30-credit-hour program includes courses on computer networks, telecommunications, digital controls and digital filters, and nanostructures, among other subjects. Students also have the option of completing an independent study, as well, during this degree program. This program can be completed in two years, and the tuition is set at between $666 and $985 per credit-hour, excluding additional fees.
Master of Engineering in Geographic Information Systems – University of Colorado at Denver
The University of Colorado at Denver provides an online master of engineering (M.Eng) degree with a focus in geographic information systems. This accredited program is multidisciplinary, and includes instruction in civil engineering, engineering management, information systems, applied mathematics, geography and environmental sciences, and urban planning, among other areas. Students must complete 27 credit-hours (nine courses) to graduate, along with three credit-hours of an advanced applications project. Alternatively, students can earn a graduate certificate in this same subject if they don’t want to complete the full master’s degree. Tuition for online students is $2,185.90 for each three-credit-hour course, bringing the total cost of the 30-credit-hour program to $21,859.
While the bulk of online engineering programs are available at the master’s and bachelor’s degree level, there are other program pathways available. Here are two standout graduate certificates which can be earned at a distance from institutions in Colorado.
Graduate Certificate in Software Engineering – Regis University
At Regis University in Denver, current or aspiring engineers may pursue an online graduate certificate in software engineering. This 12-credit-hour certificate program includes one required course (object-oriented software engineering), as well as three other electives related to software engineering such as software design, Java software development, C# software development, or real-time systems, among others. The estimated total cost of the program for the 2015-16 school year was $8,570.
Graduate Certificate in Systems Engineering – University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Through the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, students can earn an online graduate certificate in systems engineering. This 12-credit-hour program requires four courses: the introduction to the systems perspective, engineering project management, systems engineering processes, and systems architecture. This program must be completed in less than two years, and students have the option to continue on to pursue a master’s degree. According to the school’s FAQ page, tuition is approximately $789 per credit-hour for the 2017-18 school year.
Prior to applying to an online engineering program in Colorado, aspiring students should ensure they have the answers to the following questions:
Furthermore, all aspiring students are advised to search for programs that are accredited and have appropriate “state authorization” status, as well.
While it is not necessary to obtain a degree from an accredited program, it is certainly recommended to qualify for many jobs, professional certification, and other privileges. Some employers only accept applicants with degrees from accredited programs, while financial aid providers may only approve applications from students studying at accredited programs. Not all accrediting organizations are created equal. Students should search for programs that that have received accreditation through one of the entities approved by the U.S. Department of Education’s Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Here are the main CHEA-recognized entities which provide accreditation to engineering schools in CO:
National accreditation
Regional accreditation
Programmatic accreditation
“State authorization” is the ability of a school based in one state to enroll an online student based in a another state. To elaborate, prospective students in Colorado are only allowed to study at schools that are eligible to operate in the state. Luckily, a majority of of institutions have this information readily available on their websites (e.g., University of Colorado); for those which don’t, students are encouraged to reach out to program coordinators to ensure eligibility.
For aspiring engineers in Colorado, online programs typically retain similar admissions criteria to their on-campus counterparts. Typical requirements include:
Schools such as Colorado State University also ask master’s degree program applicants to have graduated from an ABET-accredited program and to submit GRE scores. Other schools ask for additional materials such as candidate interviews, letters of recommendation, a resume, or proof of significant research experience.
Here are three renowned engineering professors who serve at Colorado-based institutions with online programs.
Dr. Branislav Notaros – Colorado State University
Dr. Branislav Notaros is a professor within the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, where his research interests lie in computational electromagnetics, higher order methods, RF/antennas and scattering, transformation optics, and EM education, among others. He is the 2018 general chair of the International Applied Computational Electromagnetics Society Symposium, and previously served as the general chair for the 11th International Workshop on Finite Elements for Microwave Engineering. Notably, he was named a University Distinguished Teaching Scholar in 2016 for his exceptional achievements in undergraduate and graduate teaching of electromagnetics and related courses.
Dr. Jonathan Wu – University of Colorado at Denver
Dr. Jonathan Wu is a professor of civil engineering at the University of Colorado at Denver. His research examines how to use innovative physical and numerical modeling techniques to develop design methods and construction guidelines of sustainable earthwork systems, as well as how to solve problems associated with earth structures. He has taught a host of undergraduate and graduate courses, including engineering mechanics, soils engineering, settlement analysis, shear strength and stability analysis, and groundwater and seepage, among others. He has an extensive list of impactful refereed publications to his name.
Dr. Richard Blumenthal – Regis University
Dr. Richard Blumenthal is a professor of computer science at Regis University in Denver, where he also serves as the program coordinator for the bachelor of science program. His work has been published in several influential publications, including the Journal of Information Technology Impact and the International Journal of Artificial Intelligence Education. He is also a senior member of the Association of Computer Machinery and actively involved in a number of programs both inside and out of the university; specifically, he serves on the Institutional Review Board at Regis and was the 2013-14 chair of the CPS Committee on Rank.
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...