Online Engineering Programs – What to Consider
There are things to consider when pursuing an online engineering degree. These include the quality of the education offered, the total cost of the program, the institution’s reputability, the time required to complete the degree, admissions deadlines, and other factors.
Since online learning requires substantially more independence than traditional, on-campus degree programs, aspiring distance-based engineering students should consider:
- What is the full cost of the program and are there scholarships available?
- Do online students have in-state status?
- Is the program authorized to operate in New Hampshire? (more on “state authorization” below)
- What is the estimated completion time for full-time students? Can the program be completed on a part-time basis?
- Can online classes be viewed at the student’s convenience or are there specific times set aside for live lectures?
- Does any work need to be completed on campus?
- Are students able to complete practical experience credits near where they live?
In addition to the above questions, aspiring students should determine their program’s accreditation and state authorization statuses before making a final decision.
Accreditation
Accreditation is very important for schools in engineering fields and shows that a college or university maintains certain standards of excellence. For example, programs typically must have published student outcomes and monitor student success according to the set standards. They must also have educational outcomes and meet standards for teaching staff. These are just some examples of the many criteria involved in becoming accredited. Accredited programs are an indicator of academic quality. Prospective students should be aware that accreditation by certain organizations may be required to qualify for certain graduate programs, certifications, or employment opportunities.
Not all accrediting organization are the same, however, as some carry more weight than others. Aspiring students should seek out programs which have been accredited by an organization approved by the U.S. Department of Education’s Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). In addition, aspiring students should understand that accreditation is available through different organizations on a programmatic, national, and regional level. To be sure, the following includes a list of prominent organizations that accredit online engineering programs in New Hampshire:
National Accreditation Agencies
Regional Accreditation Agencies
Programmatic Accreditation Agencies
State Authorization
Students in New Hampshire are only eligible to enroll in online engineering programs that have been authorized to operate NH. Also, some online engineering programs in other states may not provide admissions to non-resident students or have differing tuition rates. All online students should carefully examine state policies before applying to any programs. Be sure to contact program coordinators to ensure out-of-state eligibility or check a program’s “state authorization” page (e.g., Southern New Hampshire University).