Mechanical engineering is one of the oldest disciplines within the engineering field. Many of the principles learned in a mechanical engineering program can be used within other related areas, such as aeronautical engineering, environmental engineering and civil engineering.
Mechanical engineers can put their talents to good use in a number of settings, among them laboratories, industrial plants, office buildings, production sites or remote sites in other countries. However, most aspiring mechanical engineers need to earn a degree from an accredited college in order to make progress in this field. An online mechanical engineering program can be the perfect way to do this. But with so many options for such programs available, how can you choose between them? That's where we come in.
We looked at the wide variety of online colleges for mechanical engineering and compared them on a variety of factors, including graduation and admissions rates. Our results — formulated using data from the National Center for Education Statistics' Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and our own unique methodology — can help prospective students narrow down their options to the best possible programs available to them. So, without further ado, here is our list of 10 featured online colleges for medical engineering.
The Master's of Science in Mechanical Engineering program offered online at UT Tyler can be completed online within four years. Students can choose from the master's thesis option, the advanced engineering design project (for the experienced engineer) or six additional graduate credit hours for the professional development option. All courses are taught by respected, seasoned engineers who have done extensive work in the field and hold the professional credentials to prove it. With a solid admissions rate — the sixth-highest of the schools featured on this list — this online mechanical engineering program is best for those who are serious about expanding their career horizons.
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3900 University BlvdStudents ready to take their engineering career to the next level can get a boost from the Master of Engineering in mechanical engineering program offered through Texas A&M. The program requires 30 credit hours to complete, as well as a completed portfolio for assessment. Core courses include advanced product design, continuum mechanics, engineering dynamics, mechanical vibrations, control system design and the like. With the No.4 admissions rate and the top graduation rate of the ten schools featured on our list, Texas A&M is a school for students willing to work hard to reach the next level.
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JKW Administration Building, Suite 100Those seeking a strong engineering department can find it at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, where a whopping 20 percent of all degrees awarded — the highest percentage of any school featured in this list — are in mechanical engineering. The NMT graduate degree in mechanical engineering allows students to specialize in one of four areas: explosive engineering; mechantronics systems engineering; solid mechanics; or fluid and thermal sciences. Participating students are expected to complete 30 credit hours, including 12 in core courses, six in engineering electives, six for thesis study, and another six from other departments in the school — a recipe for a well-rounded education.
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801 Leroy PlaceThe Master's of Engineering in mechanical engineering degree program from the University of Idaho is a non-thesis program that requires 30 credits for graduation. Designed for engineers with industrial experience, the program builds on the knowledge and skills graduates have already gained to help them move into project engineering or project management. Programs begin every spring and fall; however, those who miss those deadlines have the option of taking non-degree courses until the application is approved, them applying those credits to their degree pursuit. With an impressive admissions rate that comes in as the third highest on this list, the university's doors are open for those who want to test their engineering mettle.
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875 Perimeter DriveWith the fifth highest graduation rate of the schools chosen to feature on this list, students who attend the University of Central Florida can feel confident that they will be in a class with other hardworking individuals who take their online mechanical engineering program quite seriously. The Master's of Science in mechanical engineering (M.S.M.E.) program at University of South Florida allows students to choose one of three different tracks to suit their educational and career goals: the accelerated B.S. to M.S.M.E.; mechanical systems; or thermofluids. Students can also opt for the thesis or non-thesis options. Be aware that students whose bachelor's degree is in a field other than engineering will have to meet requirements of the articulation program.
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4000 Central Florida BlvdStudents interested in the Master's in mechanical engineering program at Mississippi State University can look forward to working with in-depth research projects, a requirement for every student in the graduate program at the institution. Students can choose from the thesis or non-thesis option; however, students should keep in mind that while the thesis options requires 30 credits, the non-thesis option might take a bit longer, with 33 credits required. The admissions rate for this school is the fifth highest on this list, giving hopeful applicants a good chance of being accepted into this long-time, well-established institution.
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550 E. Washington St.Seeing as this school boasts the second-highest graduation rate featured on this list, it seems clear that North Carolina State offers significant opportunity for its students. The university's Master of Science in mechanical engineering provides identical courses for on-campus and online students, and there is no thesis or final exam requirement. The program is designed for those who are working professionals in the field; in addition, it is available only to those who work or live in the United States. Only two courses per semester are allowed for students who are working full-time, and all degree requirements must be completed within six years.
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2101 Hillsborough StreetIn addition to the Bachelor's of Engineering offered at at Auburn University, students can choose between the Master's of Science in mechanical engineering (thesis track) or the Master's of mechanical engineering (non-thesis degree). Within those programs, students can choose from four specialties: mechanics; dynamics and systems; design and manufacturing; or thermal science. With over 30 full-time faculty members for the school's mechanical engineering department, students can expect ample opportunity to connect with their educators as desired. And with admissions and graduation rates that both rank in the top half of our list, it's safe to say Auburn offers the boost experienced professionals are looking for to take their career to the next level.
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Auburn, AL 36849Working professionals who have already obtained their bachelor's degree and are seeking to enhance their prospects in the employment world may want to consider pursuing the Master's of Science in mechanical engineering at Kansas State University. Students can take all courses for the program entirely online, but they will have to show up on campus once, for the oral examination required at the end of the program. Students can expect to complete 30 hours of coursework in areas such as finite element applications, fluid mechanics, intermediate dynamics, fracture mechanics and indoor environmental engineering. With the runaway first place for admissions rank on our list, students can turn to Kansas State University to challenge themselves in the mechanical engineering field.
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Anderson HallRounding out our list of featured online colleges for mechanical engineering is Purdue University, which offers a Master's of mechanical engineering program for working professionals. Students in the 30-hour curriculum can choose from the Master's of Science in mechanical engineering or the interdisciplinary Master of Science in engineering with an emphasis on mechanical engineering. The school offers courses in biomechanics; acoustics and noise control; heat transfer; automotive systems; design and computer-aided design; manufacturing and materials processing; and more. With the third-highest graduation rank on our list, complemented by the second-highest percentage of mechanical engineering degrees awarded in 2015, it seems clear that, with hard work, students who attend Purdue University have a valuable opportunity to advance their education.
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Hovde Hall of AdministrationConsidered one of the broadest fields in engineering, a person interested in mechanical engineering should definitely have the opportunity to get hands-on as well as to use computers and technology. Online programs for mechanical engineering can help students to build the skills they need to become prepared for a career in this field, whether they'll be investigating new types of wind technology or figuring out better ways to utilize hydrogen power.
Online programs for mechanical engineering require different coursework based on the degree program that students enroll in. Below is a description of some typical courses that students could find at various degree levels. Because the field is strongly based in math and science, most degrees start at the bachelor's level, although some mechanical engineering technology programs are offered through associate degrees.
The field of the mechanical engineer is incredibly nuanced, requiring hard skills in math and science as well as soft skills like decision-making and communication. Students pursuing an online education for mechanical engineering may want to work on the skills below as they progress through their coursework.
A competitive but prestigious field with ample rewards in both salary and tangible creative results, mechanical engineering is the ambition of many new and returning college students alike. Here are a few ways you might be able to put a degree in mechanical engineering to use after graduation.
Managers by trade and designers at heart, architectural and engineering managers are the lodestars for production and/or maintenance of the plethora of creative projects undertaken at architectural or engineering firms. These professionals can work in a variety of environments, including manufacturing companies, architectural firms, government agencies, industrial production plants and research laboratories. In order to land a job in the field, expect to need at least a bachelor's degree, as well as years of work experience as an architect or engineer.
Those who pursue architectural and engineering manager careers are responsible for analyzing staffing needs and hiring and training new employees; planning new products and designs; and creating budgets for programs and projects. In order to be successful, these workers need monitoring, instructing, critical thinking, listening and speaking skills.
It's not the easiest job to earn, but if digging your hands deep into the workings and development of brand-new mechanical innovations is your passion, a career as a mechanical engineer is worth the trouble. The day-to-day duties of these professionals include determining how mechanical and thermal devices can solve a problem, creating device designs and testing the finished products, and overseeing the process of manufacturing a product design.
Students who are interested in entering mechanical engineer careers should complete a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering technology or mechanical engineering. In most cases, they will need to obtain a license in order to move up the ladder in the field and land higher-level positions. Licensing requirements include passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and Professional Engineering (PE) examinations and obtaining at least four years of work experience.
People who enter aerospace engineer careers need to undergo rigorous training that teaches them principles such as aerodynamics, propulsion, and stability and control, and with good reason: these are the people who design aircraft, spacecraft, satellites and missiles… and then test their inventions' prototypes.
In order to prepare for this career, students should complete a bachelor's degree with a curriculum that includes classroom instruction, field experience and laboratory time. After earning such a degree, students are eligible for entry-level positions at government agencies, manufacturing companies, research facilities and engineering firms, where they may find themselves responsible for creating product designs; testing products; making decisions about proposals and budgets; and/or evaluating the quality of manufactured products. This is a demanding career that requires strong technical, math, analytical, writing and business skills in order to be successful… but at the same time, it's also a career that may result in shooting a personally-designed rocket launcher.