The field of computer engineering is dynamic and growing. If you want to start a career in this field, you can start by attending one of the 11 engineering schools in Virginia. Seven schools have Associate’s degree programs, while all 11 award Bachelor’s degrees. There are 10 schools in Virginia with Master’s degree programs and nine with Ph.D. programs.
Computer engineering coursework is designed to teach you how to work with a variety of different computing systems. As an Associate’s degree student, you can plan on completing about 60 credits over the course of two years. If you pursue a Bachelor’s degree, you earn 120 credits in higher-level engineering courses. This takes an average of four to five years. Some of the classes you may take at this level include Network Analysis, Computer Architecture, and Software Engineering.
A higher-level degree can help you explore more careers in computer engineering. You may choose a Master’s degree, which includes 30 credits and takes about two years to complete. If you want a doctorate title, you may choose to earn a Ph.D. Completion times vary significantly between students, but the average completion time is seven years.
The average cost of tuition in Virginia is $13,900. However, your tuition costs may be significantly different, depending on which school you attend.
There are many scholarships that are specifically for Virginia students, and they can be a great way to lower your educational expenses. One option is the Engineer Scholar Program, hosted by the Virginia Department of Transportation. They award scholarships on an annual basis. Another scholarship you can apply for is the Gloria Wille Bell and Carlos R. Bell Scholarship. This scholarship is worth up to $80,000.
Once you have successfully graduated from your engineering program, you can start the process of earning your license from the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. First, you have to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam. Once you have successfully completed that, you can apply for licensure and begin working as an engineer.