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Engineering, General

Overview

General engineering programs prepare people to use math and science to solve engineering problems.

Programs in engineering include topics such as:

Students in engineering may be able to focus in a variety of fields including social or natural sciences or business management.

Schools

Community colleges and other two-year schools offer associate degree programs in engineering. An associate degree usually takes two years to complete. After earning an associate degree, students can transfer to a college or university for further study.

Some colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in engineering. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four or five years of full-time study.

A few universities offer graduate degrees in engineering. A master's degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor's degree. Doctoral (PhD) degree programs usually require two or more years of study beyond the master's degree.

See schools that offer this program.

Related Educational Programs

Related Careers

Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study

Other Careers Related to this Program of Study

Program Admission

You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.

Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:

Graduate Admissions

Admission to graduate programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree in engineering (or a significant amount of course work in engineering, mathematics, and physics), good grades, and good test scores. Keep in mind that you usually concentrate on a particular area of engineering, rather than get a master's or doctorate in general engineering.

Additional requirements at some schools include:

Typical Course Work

Program Courses

This program typically includes courses in the following subjects:

You may take additional courses that depend on what else you choose to emphasize in your program. You might study any of the following, although you are not likely to study them all:

Graduate Program Courses

Graduate study in this field typically includes:

Things to Know

Most engineering jobs require a lot of writing and clear communication. Taking writing and other humanities courses will develop your communication skills.

Some bachelor's programs combine work experience with classes, and may take five or six years to complete. This work experience teaches skills, helps build job contacts, and you may be paid while you work.

In order to become licensed by your state to work as an engineer, you must have a degree from an accredited engineering program. You also need several years of work experience and must pass an exam. Many people take the exam at the same time they graduate or soon after.

Schools

East Side Area

Central Washington University

Walla Walla University

Washington State University - Pullman

Whitman College

King-Snohomish Area

Bellevue College

Edmonds Community College

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Everett

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Renton

North Seattle College

Northeastern University - Seattle

Seattle Pacific University

University of Washington - Seattle

Kitsap Area

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Whidbey Island

Spokane Area

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Fairchild AFB

Whitworth University

Tacoma Area

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Joint Base Lewis-McChord

University of Puget Sound

West Side Area

Saint Martin's University