Posted at 4:03 AM Sunday, August 15, 2010 by Khan
Online Mechanical Engineering Degree Program

Mechanical engineering degrees online are currently offered by an increasing number of accredited colleges and universities.

What is mechanical engineering?

Mechanical engineering is the scientific way of designing and developing machine devices, prototypes, and products. It is considered a broad-based engineering program, because mechanical engineering students are exposed to a wide-range of courses. Mechanical engineers typically deal with issues involving motion, energy, force, and the design and development of machines or devices to solve common mechanical problems.

Mechanical engineers design and develop prototypes or devices to solve problems in a wide-range of areas, including electrical and gas-powered machines or plants, as well as internal combustion engines. Mechanical engineers also design and develop equipment and machines that cool or freeze things.

Typical entry requirements into mechanical engineering programs.

A bachelor's degree in engineering is usually a basic requirement for most mechanical
engineering degrees because most online programs offer only graduate level mechanical engineering degrees.

Why Pursue an Online Degree in Mechanical Engineering?

The online degree option is conducive to flexible scheduling and a working engineer does not need to take off time from work in order to pursue a master's degree in mechanical engineering. The program permits students to keep their jobs and only study or attend classes during their private time. Some employers may even refund their employees' tuition. Potential applicants should consult their HR department about tuition reimbursement.

Online education is also cost-effective because students do not have to travel to class. This eliminates transportation costs, and other hassles such as parking, traffic accidents, and traffic infractions. Online classes also offer handicapped people the ability to earn their degrees from the comfort of their homes.

Are Online Engineering Degrees Recognized by Employers?

The majority of mechanical engineering degrees online are offered by accredited colleges and universities. Employers recognize online degrees from accredited online institutions just as degrees from traditional campuses. Distance learning programs have become very popular, and practically every major university offers online classes. Many working professionals are returning to school all the time, and online education is a realistic option because it permits professionals to expand their academic knowledge without taking off time from work.

List of Schools Offering Accredited Online Mechanical Engineering Programs

Auburn University

Degrees offered:
  • Master of Mechanical Engineering
Application Procedure: Complete the online graduate school application at: www.grad.auburn.edu

Upon receipt of a notice of acceptance, candidates for the master's of science in mechanical engineering should contact:

School contact information:
The Graduate Outreach Program
Auburn University
202 Ramsay Hall
Auburn, AL 36849
Phone: 888-844-5300
Fax: 334-844-2519
Email: gop@eng.auburn.edu
website: http://www.eng.auburn.edu/distance-learning/edge/

Columbia University

Degrees offered:
  • M.S. Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
  • Professional Degree (PD) in Mechanical Engineering
The Columbia Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering is offered through the Columbia Video Network (DVN) Distance Learning Program.

A B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or a similar subject, from an accredited institution is required for entry into the Master's Degree program.

Professional Degree (PD) in Mechanical Engineering:
This P.D. program is aimed at giving practicing mechanical engineers an opportunity to receive advanced training in two important subjects related to mechanical engineering: control/manufacturing and thermofluids.

Basic entry requirements:
Master's degree in mechanical engineering or aerospace engineering.

School contact information:
Columbia Video Network (CVN)
Columbia University School of Engineering
540 MUDD, MC 4719
500 W. 120 Street, New York, NY 10027
Web Address: http://www.cvn.columbia.edu/deg/mems.php
Phone: (212)-854-6447
Administrative Fax: (212)-854-2325
Email: info@cvn.columbia.edu

Iowa State University

  • Degrees offered: M.S. and Ph.D. degree options in Mechanical Engineering as well as interdisciplinary degrees. 
Program website:
http://www.me.iastate.edu/academics/graduate-program.html

Application website: https://www.applyweb.com/apply/isul
Send application information to
Office of Admissions
100 Enrollment Services
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2011
Email: megradapp@isstate.edu
School contact information:
Online degrees in Mechanical Engineering
Application contact: Amy Carver
Phone: 515-294-0838
Fax: 515-294-6960

Kansas State University

Degrees offered:
  • Master's degree in mechanical Engineering
Basic entry requirements:
B.S. in Mechanical engineering from an ABET-accredited program.
Website: http://www.dce.k-state.edu/engineering/masters/mechanical/admission.shtml

Contact information:
Graduate Program Coordinator
Department of Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering
Kansas State University
3002 Rathbone Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506
Phone: 785-532-2603
Fax: 785-532-7057
Email: grad@mne.k-state.edu

Kettering University

Degrees offered:
  • Master of Science in Engineering – Mechanical Cognate
Entry Requirement: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, from an accredited ABET Engineering
program, with a 3.0 or above GPA on a 4.00 scale.
Website: http://www.kettering.edu/futurestudents/graduate/admissions_requirements.jsp

Contact Information:
Kettering University
Graduate Programs
1700 University Avenue
Flint, MI 48504
Phone: (810) 762-9500
Email: webmaster@kettering.edu

Michigan Technological University

Degrees offered:
  • Online Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
  • Off-Campus Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering
Contact: Mechanical Engineering – Engineering Mechanics
Michigan Technological University
1400 Townsend Drive
Houghton, MI 49931-1295
Phone: (906) 487-2551
Fax: (906) 487-2822
Email: megradap@mtu.edu

North Carolina State University

Degree Offered:
  • Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
Courses Offered in the Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering Online (MSME) Program:

Thermal/Fluid Sciences Structural Mechanics and Materials

MAE 501 Advanced Engineering Thermodynamics MAE 533 Finite Element Analysis I
MAE 504 Fluid Dynamics of Combustion I MAE 537 Mechanics of Composite Structures
MAE 505 Heat Transfer Theory and Applications MAE 545 Metrology for Precision Manufacturing
MAE 550 Foundations of Fluid Dynamics MAE 541 Advanced Machine Design I
MAE 553 Compressible Fluid Flow MAE 543 Fracture Mechanics
MAE 560 Computational Fluid Mechanics & Heat Transfer
MAE 704 Fluid Dynamics of Combustion II
MAE 742 Mechanical Design for Automated Assembly

Dynamics, Vibrations, Controls and Mechatronics Other recommended courses

MAE 513 Principles of Structural Vibration MA 501 Adv. Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists I
MAE 518 Acoustic Radiation I MA 502 Adv. Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists II
MAE 521 Linear Control & Design for MIMO
MAE 524 Principles of Mechatronic Control
MAE 534 Mechatronics Design
MAE 535 Design of Electromechanical Systems
MAE 544 Real Time Robotics

Source: North Carolina State University MSME Website, http://www.mae.ncsu.edu/grad/msme_de/index.html
Basic entry requirements:
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited program.
Must maintain a 3.0 GPA to stay in program and graduate.
Master's degree candidates must successfully complete 30 graduate hours.
No thesis required but an oral final examination or an on-campus residency
is required before graduation.

The University of Idaho

Degree offered:
  • M.S. of Mechanical Engineering Degree Online
  • Master of Engineering (M. Engr.) is offered through the university's engineering outreach initiative. It is a non-thesis degree, and students are required to take a final examination on campus.
School contact information:
University of Idaho
Graduate Admissions
P.O. Box 443019
Moscow, ID 83844-3019
Phone: (800)-824-2889, option 0
Email: gadms@udiaho.edu

Mechanical Engineering Career Options

Manufacturing – Any company engaged in designing prototypes and manufacturing products, needs a mechanical engineer. Mechanical engineers are also involved in research and academia. Many government agencies also hire mechanical engineers.

Design – When a new product is needed, or if an old product needs improvement, a mechanical engineer is often needed to get the job done.

Automotive - Mechanical engineers play leading roles in the design and testing of automobile components, and they design and develop safer and more efficient parts for vehicles.

Biomedical engineering – Mechanical engineers are needed to design prostheses and other human mobility products.

Consulting - Some experienced mechanical engineers work as independent consultants.

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) – Mechanical engineers are needed to design cutting edge devices for use in coolers, freezers and air conditioning systems.

Nuclear engineering – Mechanical engineers are very much involved in the design and the safe operation of nuclear power plants.

Robotics – When there is a need to design and build machines to be used in the production of other machines, the services of mechanical engineers always come in handy. Many car assembly plants use robots which are overseen by mechanical engineers. They ensure that the robots are functioning efficiently.

Teaching – Universities all over the world need experienced mechanical engineers to help train future mechanical engineers.

Mechanical engineers are also needed in the following areas: acoustics, design, energy conservation, power generation, fluid mechanics, mechanical maintenance, pipe production, thermal products, tool design and production.

Mechanical Engineering Employment Outlook and Salaries

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for Mechanical Engineers will increase by 4% from now to the year 2016 and about 9,400 new mechanical engineers will be hired.

In May 2008, the average annual salary of experienced mechanical engineers was $78,200, and senior mechanical engineers earned an average of $114,740.

The largest employers of Mechanical engineers in 2008 and the average annual salaries were:

Engineering services companies, $81,400; Research & Development, $$90,830; Navigational and Control Instruments Manufacturers, $83,480; and the Aerospace industry, $93,980.

The highest annual mechanical engineering salaries in 2008 were in:

Oil and gas exploration, $93,980

Computer parts manufacturers, $90,980.

Mechanical engineers in the following states received the highest salaries in 2008:

District of Columbia, Idaho, Colorado, Alaska and New Mexico. Mechanical Engineering annual salaries in these states ranged from $90,610 to $96,370 on the average, in 2008.

Based on the above information, it is clear that mechanical engineering degrees online are in demand because mechanical engineers are needed in all industries in every country on earth.

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