Attending one of Michigan’s 25 mechanical engineering schools is a great way to start your mechanical engineering career. These schools are located almost entirely in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. There are 14 schools with Associate’s-level programs and 21 Bachelor’s degree programs. If you want to earn a Master’s degree, there are 20 options. There are also 15 doctoral programs.
If you decide to start with an Associate’s degree, you can plan on spending two years in school and earning 60 credits. Many of these credits can typically be transferred to a four-year institution. A Bachelor’s degree takes four years of full-time study to complete, as it requires 120 credits. Classes that are required at this level include Mechanics of Materials, Fluid Mechanics, and Heat Transfer Laboratory. You have to take lecture classes and lab classes in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of mechanical engineering.
Master’s degrees and doctoral degrees can help you prepare for a career in teaching or researching. Most Master’s degree programs take two to three years, and most Ph.D. programs can be completed in five to seven years. Advanced engineering courses required at this level include Mechanics and Vibration, Theory and Design of Control Systems, and Nonlinear Engineering Systems.
In general, Michigan has many affordable schools. The average cost of tuition in the state is $10,500 per semester. However, the cost tends to be lower than this at public schools and technical colleges. Most people end up paying much less after scholarships, grants, and other types of financial aid.
There are many Michigan scholarships you can apply for. One option is the Southeast Michigan ASCE Branch Scholarship. This group awards scholarships of up to $1500 every year.
If you attend the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, you may want to apply for the Gloria Wille Bell and Carlos R. Bell Scholarship.
Prior to beginning your career as a mechanical engineer, you must earn your engineering license from the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. The first step involves passing a nationally required exam. Upon successfully passing this exam, you can apply for your license from the board. Once you have your license, you must keep it updated through renewal and continuing education.