Ready to get into the field of computer engineering? If so, there are six schools in Washington that can help you. One school has an Associate’s degree program, and all six have Bachelor’s degree programs. Five Washington schools have Master’s degree programs, and three award PhDs.
Earning an undergraduate degree in computer engineering can prepare you for entry-level work in the field. An Associate’s degree takes an average of two years, and you have to complete 60 credits in engineering and general education courses. The other alternative is a Bachelor’s degree, which is comprised of 120 credits. As a full-time student, you should be able to graduate in four to five years. Some of the courses you may take as an undergraduate student include Computer Organization, Systems Programming, and Digital Systems Design.
A graduate degree can give you the qualifications necessary to explore a variety of different careers in computer engineering. A Master’s degree is the shorter option, as it only takes about two years. In this program, you may have to complete advanced courses like Computer Communication Networks and Advanced Coding Theory. A PhD requires many of the same courses, but it also includes a thesis. On average, you can plan on spending seven years earning a PhD.
Tuition costs in Washington vary significantly between schools, but the average cost of tuition is $14,800. Once you know which school you will be attending, you may wish to apply for federal financial aid.
Scholarships can help you minimize your out-of-pocket educational costs. The Washington State Opportunity Scholarship is a scholarship that is open to Washington students in a variety of fields. The Washington Society of Professional Engineers also awards multiple scholarships engineering students every year.
Before you can begin working as a computer engineer in Washington, you have to get your license from the Washington State Department of Licensing. First, you take a comprehensive engineering exam that tests all aspects of your education. After passing that exam, you fill out an application to ensure you meet the rigorous standards of the Department of Licensing. Once you get your license, you can begin working as an engineer.