If you are ready to start a career in computer engineering, you can start by attending one of the six engineering schools in Minnesota. Five of these schools offer Associate’s degrees and Bachelor’s degrees. There are four schools in Minnesota that award Master’s degrees and PhDs.
Earning an Associate’s degree in computer engineering can help you decide if you are ready to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in the field. You need to earn 60 credits to get an Associate’s degree, which should take you about two years. A Bachelor’s degree requires 120 credits, which usually takes between four and five years. Some of the courses you may take at this level include Systems Programming, Algorithms, and Introduction to Data Structures.
Earning a Master’s degree usually takes about two years, as you must complete 30 credits in courses like Microprocessor Design and Advanced Coding Theory. To earn a PhD, you must take many of the same courses, but you also have to write and defend a thesis. A PhD usually takes about seven years.
The overall average cost of tuition in Minnesota is $16,600. However, your actual costs may be lower if you attend a two-year college or public college. You can also minimize your out-of-pocket expenses by applying for grants and scholarships.
One of the scholarships you can look into applying for is the Minnesota Surveyors and Engineers Society Scholarship. This organization awards multiple scholarships to engineering majors every year. Another option you can try is the City Engineers Association of Minnesota Scholarship.
Before you can use your engineering degree by working as an engineer, you must your license from the Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience, and Interior Design. This process includes passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam and filling out a comprehensive application regarding your education and qualifications. Minnesota also requires a $25 application fee. Once you have your engineering license, you can begin working as a computer engineer.