Online Engineering Programs in Idaho

Engineers play an important role in the economy in Idaho and throughout the nation. They have permeated virtually every industry, and the subfields of engineering have expanded rapidly over the years, adding opportunities for talented professionals invested in the ongoing advancement of technology.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (October 2016) predicted that the majority of engineering specializations would grow significantly between 2014 and 2024, with biomedical engineering leading the pack with an expected increase of 23.1 percent in positions nationwide. This was followed by environmental engineering with an anticipated 12.4 percent increase, marine engineering (8.9 percent), and civil engineering (8.4 percent) over the same decade.

Fortunately for aspiring engineers in Idaho, the subfields of the discipline are expected to increase even more rapidly in the state. By illustration, Projections Central predicted that the following subfields of engineering would expand substantially within the same timeframe:

Environmental engineering – 30.9 percent growth in Idaho positions, 2014-24
Civil engineering – 28.3 percent
Health and safety engineering – 24.8 percent
Industrial engineering – 23.6 percent
Computer hardware engineering – 19.2 percent

To put this into perspective, the BLS projected that all U.S. occupations would grow an average of 6.5 percent, highlighting the relative explosion in opportunities for engineers compared to those outside of the field.

Furthermore, the salary prospects in engineering are especially bright in the Gem State. The BLS (May 2016) found that the average salary for all engineering and architectural positions in Idaho was $79,800, with some earning much more than that, such as chemical engineers, who earned an average annual wage of $109,470. This is much higher than the average salary for all occupations in idaho, which sat at just $41,910.

Along with salary perks, engineers in Idaho also enjoy the support of numerous professional organizations and societies. For example, the following organizations offer membership benefits to Idaho engineers such as networking events, discounts on business expenses, continuing education, scholarly publications, and more:

Prior to becoming an engineer, a person typically needs at least a bachelor’s degree. In addition to the exceptional on-campus programs available from the University of Idaho and other institutions, there’s a growing number of distance-based programs available, which provide a greater degree of flexibility for students while still offering a high-quality education.

This guide explores the curriculum, cost, and admissions procedures for online engineering programs in Idaho and profiles three talented professors.

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Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Engineering in Idaho

Generally, earning a bachelor’s degree is the first step to become an engineer in Idaho. Aspiring engineers in the state can consider one of the following online programs.

Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering – Brigham Young University

Brigham Young University in Idaho of Rexburg offers an online bachelor of science (B.S.) in software engineering, which includes 120 credit-hours. This program features courses on software development, data structures, computer security, human-computer interaction, software design, and systems security, among others. Notably, the online student cohort progresses together and enjoys abundant opportunities to interact. Students enrolled in more than 11 credit-hours pay a flat rate of $1,960 per semester if they are affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, or $3,920 if they are not.

Bachelor of Science in Web Design and Development – Brigham Young University

BYU in Idaho also offers an online bachelor of science in web design and development, which may be a jumping off point to a career in computer or software engineering. This 120-credit-hour program includes courses on systems security, web engineering, systems analysis and design, object-oriented programming, advanced visual media, and vector graphics, among others. Similar to the program mentioned above, tuition is set at a flat rate of $1,960 per semester for those affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; unaffiliated students are charged $3,920.

Online Master’s Degrees in Engineering in Idaho

Obtaining a master’s degree can help an engineer develop his or her skills and deepen one’s specialization in specific field. Additionally, a master’s degree can enhance one’s earning prospects and opportunities in leadership, as well as qualify a person for positions in academia.

Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering – University of Idaho

The University of Idaho of Moscow, ID offers an online master of engineering degree in civil engineering. This program includes a variety of emphases, including environmental and sanitary engineering, geotechnical engineering, hydraulics and water resources engineering, structural engineering and structural mechanics, and transportation engineering. Students must complete 33 credits at $755 each.

Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering – University of Idaho

The University of Idaho also offers a master of engineering and a master of science degree in electrical engineering, both of which are delivered entirely online. The areas of focus in these programs include supercomputing, microwaves, VLSI circuits, control systems, signal analysis, and network synthesis, among others. Both of these programs require students to complete 30 credit-hours to graduate, which generally take two years of study. Tuition costs $755 per credit.

Other Online Engineering Programs in Idaho

A number of other Idaho-based online programs are available to aspiring engineers, including certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees.

Certificate in Power System Protection and Relaying – University of Idaho

The University of Idaho offers an online certificate in power system and protection and relaying through the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. This 12-credit-hour program comprises two required courses (power systems analysis and power system protection and relaying), as well as two electives such as communication systems, digital filtering, or symmetrical components, among others. Tuition is set at $755 per credit-hour, meaning the whole program costs $9,060, not including additional fees.

Certificate in Computer-Aided Design and Drafting – Brigham Young University

Brigham Young University in Idaho provides a number of online certificate programs for aspiring engineers, including one in computer-aided design and drafting. This 15-credit-hour program has five courses: engineering computation, computer-aided draft and design, engineering graphics, mechanical CADD and GD&T, and a mathematics course. Similar to the programs profiled above, the tuition is $1,960 per semester for those students taking at least 11 credits and who are affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and $3,920 for those who are not. Additionally, students who take fewer than 11 credits are charged $163 per credit-hour.

Online Engineering Programs – What to Consider

The lure of a competitive salary and a growing industry are reason enough for many aspiring engineers in Idaho to pursue an education in this field. Prior to applying to an online program, however, applicants are advised to perform thorough research to ensure they know what to expect. For example, online program candidates should determine the following information before applying:

What is the tuition for the program? Are students required to pay additional fees?
Can the students complete the program entirely online? If not, how many campus visits are required?
Does the school assist with job placement after graduation? Does the school offer networking opportunities for students and/or alumni?
Can the program be completed on a part-time basis?
Are students able to complete practical experience credits in their home community?

Furthermore, applicants are encouraged to determine whether or not the program is accredited and is authorized to admit students from their state of residence.

Accreditation

Accreditation status signifies that the program has met various quality standards set forth by an accrediting agency, thus demonstrating the value of a program. Many employers favor job applicants with a degree from an accredited program, and proof of enrollment in an accredited program may be required to obtain financing for education.

Not all accreditation is the same, however, and applicants should search for programs accredited by agencies approved by the U.S. Department of Education’s Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Here is a handful of the CHEA-approved organizations which accredit online engineering programs in Idaho:

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

Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)

State Authorization

Students may only attend online programs that are eligible to operate in their state of residence. This is referred to as a program’s “state authorization” status. Generally this information is readily available on program websites (e.g., University of Idaho), and for those institutions which don’t have it, people should contact admissions offices to determine eligibility.

Admissions Requirements

In general, many of the online engineering degree programs in Idaho have similar admissions requirements to their on-campus versions. For example, the online civil engineering master’s degree program at the University of Idaho calls for applicants with:

A bachelor’s degree
An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
If the applicant’s GPA is lower than 3.0, they may also show proof of working in the program specific profession for five or more years; have a letter of support from a faculty member in the department; and write a detailed essay describing their professional experience and potential to succeed academically

While admissions materials vary by degree level and institution, other common requirements include the submission of proof of specific coursework; test scores; letters of recommendation; and candidate interviews.

Online Engineering Professors in Idaho

Here are exceptional professors from the University of Idaho, a school which boasts various online engineering programs.

Dr. Patricia J.S. Colberg – University of Idaho

Dr. Patricia J.S. Colberg is a National Academies Education Fellow and a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Idaho, where she also serves as the department chair. Her research interests include basic and applied questions, although she’s largely focused on “remediation of organic and metal contaminants in the subsurface.” Before joining the University of Idaho, she spent several years in Switzerland and the Netherlands, and is an ABET IDEAL Senior Scholar. Dr. Colberg has an array of authorship credits to her name, including influential publications in the Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering and Water Science Technology.

Dr. Brian Johnson – University of Idaho

Dr. Brian Johnson is a university distinguished professor within the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Idaho, where he also serves as the Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories endowed chair in power engineering. He leads a number of different courses, including digital logic, introduction to power systems, power systems analysis, symmetrical components, and transients in power systems, among others. He is also a member of the University Research Council and the Department Laboratories Committee, as well as the chair of the Department Graduate Committee and a coordinator for the certificate program in power systems protection and relaying.

Jocelyn Blore

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...