What should I know when considering a degree in Associate in Engineering?
- A associate's degree in engineering enables professionals to get a start in the field of engineering by opening doors to technician-type work.
- Engineers with an associate's degree can make between $29,000 to $68,000.
- Many engineers with an associate's degree end up specializing in a certain type of technician work.
How does someone earn an associate's in engineering degree?
An associate's degree in engineering usually takes about two years to complete at a community or technical college. The type of technical courses required depend on the specialty students choose to follow. Specialties include, but are not limited to, computer electronics technology, computer network engineering, software engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, and mechanical engineering. Though a technical school education and a community college education offer the same type of degree, there are slight differences between the experiences. Technical institutes offer intensive technical training, while community colleges offer the technical background, along with more of the liberal arts. All associate's engineering programs focus in on math and engineering classes as the core curriculum.
What career opportunities are available for an engineer with an associate's degree?
An engineer with an associate's degree will most likely find themselves only qualified for technician positions. These positions can be found in any sub-specialty of the engineering field, such as electrical, civil, industrial, mechanical, environmental, aerospace, or electromechanical engineering. The best job opportunities are for technicians who have both an educational background, and also a professional background, that shows they can learn new technology fast. As a whole, the engineering technician field is not in huge demand because many of these jobs are being outsourced to other countries to reduce costs. There are still many companies, however, that need on-site people who are well trained to fill a specialized role. Most technician job openings are found in the electrical, and environmental engineering fields.
How much money does someone with an associate's in engineering make?
Engineers with an associate's degree are usually entering the workforce as a technician and the salary for technicians can vary by the branch of engineering in which they work and the employer. Aerospace engineering technicians top the salaries, with an average yearly salary of $53,000. Following are electrical and electronic engineering technicians, who make anywhere between $29,000 and $68,000. Mechanical, environmental and civil engineering technicians make a little less, with an average salary between $38,500 and $43,000 a year. Usually, engineering technicians employed by the federal government land on the top end of the salary averages, ahead of private companies and local government agencies.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of earning an associate's degree in engineering online?
Hands-on experience is always an aspect of training and education that becomes invaluable, but in the field of engineering this is especially important. That's why earning an associate's degree online can become a little tricky. Engineers often work with professors and other students to figure out real-life engineering problems. In an online program this process can definitely happen, but it's much more difficult to simulate. This is probably the biggest drawback to earning an associate's degree in engineering online. These programs also, very often, don't hold the same prestige as degrees earned through more traditional programs. If the goal is to transfer to a 4-year university, this route may make it more difficult to get into the top engineering programs.
The principle benefits of these programs, however, can very easily tip the scales for students looking for a flexible way to earn a degree. Online associate's in engineering programs offer the chance for students to do much of their work from home, and to hold a part-time, or even a full-time job. There's also the advantage in online learning for students to be able to go at thier own pace. Though these classes need to be completed in a certain amount of time, the pace at which learning is individualized is up to the student.
What are the leading schools offering programs in Associate in Engineering?
- DeVry University : DeVry University provides career-oriented undergraduate and graduate degree programs in technology, business and management.
With campuses and university centers across the US, DeVry provides a flexible and convenient environment to earn your degree.
In many cases, you can earn your Bachelor's degree in three years or less. (More Info)
- ECPI College of Technology Online : ECPI College of Technology Online is a nationally ranked online program offering Associates and Bachelor degree programs in Accounting, Business Administration, Computer Networking, and IT/Networking & Security Management. (More Info)
- Penn Foster College : Penn Foster College is one of the largest and most respected Distance Learning Institutions offering Associate degree programs. Penn Foster College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), which is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. (More Info)
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