Are you ready to start a new career in the field of automotive engineering? If so, there are seven schools in Oklahoma that can help you get started. Oklahoma has three schools that award Associate’s degrees, four schools with Bachelor’s-level programs, and three schools with Master’s degree programs. The average cost of tuition is $9,700 per year.
Depending on what your career goals are, you may need a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, or PhD in automotive engineering. However, most jobs allow you to get started with a Bachelor’s degree. This four-year degree includes 120 credits in general education classes and engineering classes like Methods for Vehicle Testing, Fuel Management Systems, and Alternate Fuel Systems.
If you want a leadership role or a research career, you may need a Master’s degree or PhD. These degrees require, respectively, two and seven years of schooling beyond your Bachelor’s degree. Classes required for these degrees include Embedded Control Systems, Automotive Body Structures, and Vehicle Dynamics.
At every degree level, lab work is required. Your school’s engineering lab should be equipped with the engineering materials and vehicle components you need to build a base of practical skills.
Tuition and financial aid are essential components of your school choice, so you should carefully evaluate the cost of each school in your area. Oklahoma City Community College is one of the most affordable schools in the area—tuition is $103 per credit hour for residents and $263.03 per credit hour for non-residents. The University of Tulsa is considerably more expensive; tuition at this school is $35,050 per year.
Try applying for scholarships and grants to lower your out-of-pocket educational expenses. The Oklahoma Engineering Foundation awards four-year scholarships that give students $500 each semester.
The final step to becoming a Professional Engineer in Oklahoma is getting your license from the Oklahoma State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. You can meet their licensure requirements by passing the Principles & Practice of Engineering exam.
At this point, you may want to join the Oklahoma Society of Professional Engineers. Their networking and educational events can help you take your career to the next level.
You may be curious about what kind of salary you may earn as an automotive engineer. According to O*Net, the average salary in Oklahoma is $76,100 per year.