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What is a College or University?
A college or university is a place of higher education, and students interested in an engineering career generally need this education in order to gain employment in their field. There are engineering opportunities for those without formal education, but these options are more limited and the path to them can also be longer.
In the United States, colleges and universities for engineers and others are accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. They offer a range of educational degrees, including associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. With the ever-evolving landscape of higher education, and the different types of engineering jobs, some colleges and universities have even started offering alternative education programs such as bootcamps and credentialing style programs.
These programs can help those who are considering engineer career paths, since some of the programs are shorter and make getting into different types of engineering careers easier. Moving from one type of career in the engineering field to a different but related career can also be easier with these types of programs.
What is a 4-Year College?
A 4-year college or university is an institution that grants bachelor’s degrees, and can also offer associates degrees, master’s degrees, and in some cases doctoral degree programs. To be clear, though nearly all colleges and universities are 4-year institutions, there are some colleges and universities that only offer both 2-year programs as well as 4-year programs.
In other words, if you obtain a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the college of your choice, you may not be able to get a master’s degree or higher from that same institution. Fortunately, there are many other universities that have master’s degrees, so you will still have options to increase your future education in the engineering field if you want to.
Time Requirements for 4-Year Colleges and Universities
Despite the name, you’re not required to complete your undergraduate degree in just four years. In many cases, students will extend their bachelors degree to a five-year program or take online classes or summer school classes to complete their degree in less than four years. As you consider an engineering career you can look into the fastest way to complete your degree, or take it slower as you gain work experience at the same time. The choice is up to you.
Students at 4-year colleges and universities are eligible to earn a bachelors degree after the completion of 120 to 130 academic credits. Students with an associates degree can usually transfer a portion of these credits toward their bachelors degree. Some schools offer what is called a direct transfer agreement, where all the credits from an associate’s degree transfer to a bachelor’s program. While this isn’t the norm for most colleges, it’s possible to find institutions that allow this, and even encourage it.
Many 4-year colleges and universities allow for transfer credits to count towards degree completion. College degree credits are generally awarded for completed courses with a C- or better. You also need to take into account how long ago a degree was completed. Transferring credits for different types of engineering careers may only be possible with relatively recent credits, not those from years ago.
There are also many bachelor’s degrees that can be earned in as little as three years by attending summer sessions or part-time enrollment. Some students also have AP credits, which shortens time needed to complete a degree. If you want to get a degree and get started on an engineering career, you will have options and opportunities you can consider to help you get there faster.
Is a 4-year college or university for you?
If you’re looking to get your engineering degree with the traditional college experience you see in movies, a 4-year school is the place for you. Then you can consider the different types of engineering jobs available to you, and find the path that’s going to give you the best value. Here are just a few of the reasons that students choose 4-year colleges and universities:
To receive a well-rounded education.
- At the undergraduate level, colleges and universities require that students take courses in a number of areas to help them figure out what areas of study are best for them, as well as to provide a broad base of academic knowledge. Even if you’re extremely committed to an engineering career right from the very beginning, you also need knowledge and information about other subjects to help you understand and evaluate the world throughout your lifetime.
To be on the right path to your engineering career.
- Look at job listings for entry-level engineering positions, and you’ll find that many require a bachelors degree. It’s true that you can get apprenticeships and other options for some engineering careers, but that doesn’t work for everyone. Completing a degree at a 4-year college or university will give you the academic skills you need to be ready for the demands of different types of engineering jobs you might want to consider.
To make more money as an engineer.
- Studies have shown that engineers who have graduated from 4-year colleges and universities tend to earn more money overall than others with associates degrees or high school diplomas. There are certainly exceptions to this rule, but it’s better to have the education you need for your engineering career to provide yourself with more opportunities.
To prepare for graduate school.
- If you’re planning to continue your education with a master’s degree, attending a 4-year college or university will help prepare you academically for that degree. Getting a master’s degree in an engineering field takes time, effort, and commitment, so you want to be ready for it. Also, attending a school that also offers graduate programs allows you to learn more about those programs before you enroll, so you can consider the types of engineering careers available and pick the degree that gives you the most benefit.
What types of engineering students attend 4-year colleges and universities?
The types of engineering students you’re likely to find at a college or university depends in part on the type of school it is. Some schools are single-sex, and some are geared to a type of student, such as historically black schools or colleges with students who are active in the military. You can typically find good engineering degree options at nearly any school, so you can choose an option that’s close to home or explore other schools far away.
The types of programs the college or university specializes in will also affect the demographics of the student body. Schools that are highly regarded for disciplines like healthcare or engineering will draw a different type of student than those that specialize in creative areas, like culinary, music, or art and design. If you’re focused on an engineering career and everything you can do with it, you may want to look at getting into a school where engineering is one of the main areas of focus.
Not only does that potentially give you more options, but it can also give you a leg up on any competition for future employment. Going to a highly regarded school for engineering, and doing very well there, shows your dedication to one of the engineering career paths available, as well as your aptitude for the subject. Strong school performance indicates that you’re serious about the work, and that attitude of dedication can be very important in an engineering career.
Can you start later in life and still get an engineering degree?
While many students at 4-year colleges are fresh out of high school, you’ll find people of all ages at these schools, including some who have gone back to school later in life to pursue an entirely different career. Some people may return to school to complete their bachelors degree after taking a break to start a career or a family. Others may have completed an associates degree and are transferring their credits to the 4-year college in order to complete their bachelors degree.
Whether you’re brand new to higher education and just out of high school, or you’ve had an entire career for years, and now you want a different one, heading to a 4-year college for an engineering degree can give you a whole new world of opportunities you didn’t have before. Since there are many different types of engineering jobs, you can choose what works for you. Some of the different types of engineering careers to consider include:
- Civil Engineer
- Marine Engineer
- Computer Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer
- Chemical Engineer
- Electrical Engineer
This is not an exhaustive list, and there are many career choices in the 4 main engineering career fields: chemical, civil, electrical, and mechanical. You can find out more about any of these fields and careers by exploring what a 4-year degree can offer.
Should You Complete an Engineering Degree Program Online?
Online schools and online degree programs in particular are gaining in popularity, especially for people who want to continue their education but can’t make time in their schedules to enroll full-time in daytime classes at a 4-year college or university. Online programs may also offer you financial savings for your engineering degree, as you won’t have to pay room and board at a campus and the school doesn’t have to maintain a large campus of classrooms.
Increased flexibility in scheduling classes is another reason some students choose to attend an online college or program for their engineering degree, since they may have other obligations that they have to schedule those classes around. If you can get online and complete your classwork at any time before a specific, set deadline, you don’t need to worry about being “in class” when you have other duties at that same time.
A lot of people who are getting a degree and focusing on an engineering career work, at least part-time. They may have a family to care for, as well, and they might have hobbies that are on a schedule, such as playing a sport with games on specific days. There’s real freedom in being able to complete your schoolwork after the children are asleep or over a weekend when you’re off work. Online engineering degree programs can give new opportunities to people who otherwise couldn’t attend a university.
How Do You Narrow Down Your Choices of 4-Year Colleges and Universities?
Narrowing down your choice of college is important when you plan to get an engineering degree. While any accredited college that offers this degree can give you a valid, verifiable degree in the subject, some schools are much more focused on more technical fields, while others are far more liberal-arts based. Finding the one that meets your needs often makes your educational goals easier.
First, you’ll want to determine what type of 4-year college you’re seeking. Public colleges and universities tend to be larger and less expensive than private colleges, especially if you’re applying as an in-state student. You may be able to save a lot of money by choosing a public school near your home that has a good reputation for the degree you’re seeking.
If you’re interested in getting an engineering degree you may want to avoid liberal arts colleges, which require you to study a range of disciplines while you pursue your major. Choosing a more focused, directed approach could provide you with higher benefits.
When you know the type of skill or trade you want to learn, consider a career college, also known as a vocational school or trade school. These schools will offer general academic education as well as career-specific education, so you can get started on your engineering career faster.
The type of degree you’re seeking and the programs you’re interested in studying will also help determine the colleges and universities you apply to. Plus, if you’re interested in taking online courses, consider an online engineering degree program or find out if the schools you’re interested in offer online courses.
Not sure if you’re ready to commit to a 4-year college or university? If you’re not sure what you want to study or if you have doubts about your ability to pay for and complete a bachelors degree program, consider applying for an associates degree. In some cases, you will be able to transfer your credits toward a bachelors degree program if you choose to continue your education at a 4-year college, and that can also give you time to learn more about the different types of engineering jobs, so you can choose the right one.
As you begin your college search, one of the first things you will be asked is what city or state you want to attend school in. While it may seem like a simple question, when deciding where to go, there are many different factors that play into this decision. Some students prefer going to school in their home state while others are looking for more diversity and choose schools in bigger cities.
While some people have certain areas they would never consider living or studying in, others don’t care where they end up as long as it is close enough for them to come home on the weekends. The most important thing about choosing which city or state you attend college in to pursue your engineering degree is finding the place that makes you happy and feels like home! Check out our detailed lists below to help you decide your path.