A bachelor’s degree in engineering is required for almost
all entry-level engineering jobs. College graduates with a
degree in a physical science or mathematics occasionally may
qualify for some engineering jobs, especially in specialties
in high demand. Most engineering degrees are granted in electrical,
electronics, mechanical, or civil engineering. However, engineers
trained in one branch may work in related branches. For example,
many aerospace engineers have training in mechanical engineering.
This flexibility allows employers to meet staffing needs in
new technologies and specialties in which engineers may be
in short supply. It also allows engineers to shift to fields
with better employment prospects or to those that more closely
match their interests.
Most engineering programs involve a concentration of study
in an engineering specialty, along with courses in both mathematics
and science. Most programs include a design course, sometimes
accompanied by a computer or laboratory class or both.
In addition to the standard engineering degree, many Schools
offer 2- or 4-year degree programs in engineering technology.
These programs, which usually include various hands-on laboratory
classes that focus on current issues, prepare students for
practical design and production work, rather than for jobs
that require more theoretical and scientific knowledge. Graduates
of 4-year technology programs may get jobs similar to those
obtained by graduates with a bachelor’s degree in engineering.
Engineering technology graduates, however, are not qualified
to register as professional engineers under the same terms
as graduates with degrees in engineering. Some employers regard
technology program graduates as having skills between those
of a technician and an engineer.
In Montana graduate training is
essential for engineering faculty positions and many research
and development programs, but is not required for the majority
of entry-level engineering jobs. Many engineers obtain graduate
degrees in engineering or business administration to learn
new technology and broaden their education. Many high-level
executives in government and industry began their careers
as engineers.
About 340 Schools and universities offer bachelor’s degree
programs in engineering that are accredited by the Accreditation
Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), and about 240
Schools offer accredited bachelor’s degree programs in engineering
technology. ABET accreditation is based on an examination
of an engineering program’s student achievement, program improvement,
faculty, curricular content, facilities, and institutional
commitment. Although most institutions offer programs in the
major branches of engineering, only a few offer programs in
the smaller specialties. Also, programs of the same title
may vary in content. For example, some programs emphasize
industrial practices, preparing students for a job in industry,
whereas others are more theoretical and are designed to prepare
students for graduate work. Therefore, students should investigate
curricula and check accreditations carefully before selecting
a college.
Admissions requirements for undergraduate engineering schools
include a solid background in mathematics (algebra, geometry,
trigonometry, and calculus) and science (biology, chemistry,
and physics), and courses in English, social studies, humanities,
and computer and information technology. Bachelor’s degree
programs in engineering typically are designed to last 4 years,
but many students find that it takes between 4 and 5 years
to complete their studies. In a typical 4-year college curriculum,
the first 2 years are spent studying mathematics, basic sciences,
introductory engineering, humanities, and social sciences.
In the last 2 years, most courses are in engineering, usually
with a concentration in one branch. For example, the last
2 years of an aerospace program might include courses in fluid
mechanics, heat transfer, applied aerodynamics, analytical
mechanics, flight vehicle design, trajectory dynamics, and
aerospace propulsion systems. Some programs offer a general
engineering curriculum; students then specialize in graduate
school or on the job.
Some engineering schools and 2-year Schools have agreements
whereby the 2-year college provides the initial engineering
education, and the engineering school automatically admits
students for their last 2 years. In addition, a few engineering
schools have arrangements whereby a student spends 3 years
in a liberal arts college studying pre-engineering subjects
and 2 years in an engineering school studying core subjects,
and then receives a bachelor’s degree from each school. Some
Schools and universities offer 5-year master’s degree programs.
Some 5-year or even 6-year cooperative plans combine classroom
study and practical work, permitting students to gain valuable
experience and to finance part of their education.
Thinking about about getting licenced? Montana and the rest of the 49 States as well as the the District
of Columbia require licensure for engineers
who offer their services directly to the public. Engineers
who are licensed are called Professional Engineers (PE). This
licensure generally requires a degree from an ABET-accredited
engineering program, 4 years of relevant work experience,
and successful completion of a State examination. Recent graduates
can start the licensing process by taking the examination
in two stages. The initial Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)
examination can be taken upon graduation. Engineers who pass
this examination commonly are called Engineers in Training
(EIT) or Engineer Interns (EI). After acquiring suitable work
experience, EITs can take the second examination, the Principles
and Practice of Engineering exam. Several States have imposed
mandatory continuing education requirements for relicensure.
Most States recognize licensure from other States provided
that the manner in which the initial license was obtained
meets or exceeds their licensure requirements. Many civil,
electrical, mechanical, and chemical engineers are licensed
PEs.
Engineers should be creative, inquisitive, analytical, and
detail-oriented. They should be able to work as part of a
team and to communicate well, both orally and in writing.
Communication abilities are important because engineers often
interact with specialists in a wide range of fields outside
engineering.
Beginning engineering graduates usually work under the supervision
of experienced engineers and, in large companies, also may
receive formal classroom or seminar-type training. As new
engineers gain knowledge and experience, they are assigned
more difficult projects with greater independence to develop
designs, solve problems, and make decisions. Engineers may
advance to become technical specialists or to supervise a
staff or team of engineers and technicians. Some may eventually
become engineering managers or enter other managerial or sales
jobs.
Engineering Schools Listed Below:
Kennedy
Western University (Online)
Committed to providing the adult learner with a quality post secondary education,
Kennedy-Western University offers a rigorous academic curriculum comparable
to that of traditional universities. The selection of excellent and challenging
curriculum is central to this philosophy. Kennedy-Western University staff regularly
reviews the curricula of major universities within the United States. Course
offerings are frequently updated to remain current with the theories and academic
trends advanced in traditional academia. To foster personal relevancy, students
are encouraged to select courses that are compatible with their occupational
and professional objectives. Thus, areas of study are directly applicable to
the student’s professional environment and serve to augment and enhance
previous knowledge and skills. Programs:, Business Administration, Computer Science, E-Business, E-Commerce, Electrical Engineering, Engineering
Management, Environmental Engineering, Executive Business Administration, Finance, General Engineering, Health Administration, Human Resource Management, International Business Administration, Management and Leadership, Management
Information Systems, Management of Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Safety
Engineering, Software Engineering.
Computer Science Program in Montana
Electrical Engineering Program in Montana
Environmental Engineering Program in Montana
Safety Engineering Program in Montana
Quality Control Program in Montana
Mechanical Engineering Program in Montana
General Engineering Program in Montana
Engineering Management Program in Montana
Management Information Systems Program in Montana
Management of Technology Program in Montana
Software Engineering Program in Montana
Bachelor of Science - The Bachelor of Science
program in Electrical Engineering at Kennedy-Western University
is divided into two options: Option A: Digital Communications/Signal
Processing, and Option B: Controls Systems/Computer Systems
Performance. Option A: Digital Communications/Signal Processing
is designed to prepare the students with the necessary background
to work or continue with graduate study in the areas of video
and signal/image processing and digital communications. It
is also directed toward individuals who desire further specialization
in telecommunications, communication networks, multimedia
communications and wireless communications. Option B: Control
Systems/Computer Systems Performance is designed to prepare
students with the necessary background to work or continue
with graduate study in the areas of robotics, artificial neutral
networks, multivariable feedback control, computer-aided control
system design, adaptive control and large scale system control
of large, flexible structures. Kennedy-Western University
is a licensed post secondary institution pursuant to the State
of Wyoming Private Schools Licensing Act W.S. 21-2-401 through
21-2-407. Therefore, Kennedy-Western's degree programs are
recognized within business and industry.
Environmental Engineering
Bachelor of Science - The Environmental
Engineering program at Kennedy-Western University is a diverse
discipline which focuses on innovative technology for reuse,
recycle and recovery measures, and on the biological, chemical
and physical reactions in the land, air and water environments.
The curriculum continues to respond to the demand for up-to-date
education with practical applications. Courses for the Bachelor
of Science program include Introduction to Environmental Science,
Principles of Fluid Mechanics, Elasticity and Plasticity,
Thermodynamics and Environmental Compliance. Kennedy-Western
University is a licensed post secondary institution pursuant
to the State of Wyoming Private Schools Licensing Act W.S.
21-2-401 through 21-2-407. Therefore, Kennedy-Western's degree
programs are recognized within business and industry.
Master of Science - The Environmental Engineering
program at Kennedy-Western University is a diverse discipline
which focuses on innovative technology for reuse, recycle
and recovery measures, and on the biological, chemical and
physical reactions in the land, air and water environments.
The curriculum continues to respond to the demand for up-to-date
education with practical applications. Courses for the Master
of Science program include Quantitative Methods for Environmental
Assessment, Air Pollution Phenomena and Systems, Solid Waste
Management and Toxicology. Kennedy-Western University is a
licensed post secondary institution pursuant to the State
of Wyoming Private Schools Licensing Act W.S. 21-2-401 through
21-2-407. Therefore, Kennedy-Western's degree programs are
recognized within business and industry.
Doctorate - The Environmental Engineering
program at Kennedy-Western University is a diverse discipline
which focuses on innovative technology for reuse, recycle
and recovery measures, and on the biological, chemical and
physical reactions in the land, air and water environments.
The curriculum continues to respond to the demand for up-to-date
education with practical applications. Courses for the Doctorate
Program include Chemical and Biological Processes in Environmental
Engineering, Water Quality Control, Managing Environmental
Risks and Environmental Economics. Kennedy-Western University
is a licensed post secondary institution pursuant to the State
of Wyoming Private Schools Licensing Act W.S. 21-2-401 through
21-2-407. Therefore, Kennedy-Western's degree programs are
recognized within business and industry.
Safety Engineering
Bachelor of Science - The Safety Engineering
program at Kennedy-Western University is a discipline which
is regulatory driven as well as technology driven, and as
such is continually evolving with new legal and regulatory
requirements being addressed by safety professionals. New
interpretations of the discipline are also introduced by innovative
technology, and Kennedy-Western continues to adapt the Safety
Engineering program as the needs of the industry change. At
the Bachelor of Science level, the program addresses the various
themes within the field of safety. Courses include Safety
and Health for Engineers, Probability and Statistics for Safety,
Probability, Risk and Statistics, and Safety Management. Kennedy-Western
University is a licensed post secondary institution pursuant
to the State of Wyoming Private Schools Licensing Act W.S.
21-2-401 through 21-2-407. Therefore, Kennedy-Western's degree
programs are recognized within business and industry.
Master of Science - The Safety Engineering
program at Kennedy-Western University is a discipline which
is regulatory driven as well as technology driven, and as
such is continually evolving with new legal and regulatory
requirements being addressed by safety professionals. New
interpretations of the discipline are also introduced by innovative
technology, and Kennedy-Western continues to adapt the Safety
Engineering program as the needs of the industry change. At
the graduate level, the more senior responsibilities of a
safety professional are addressed, such as property loss control
and safety program design and management. Courses for the
Master's of Science degree include Accident Investigation
and Reconstruction, Contemporary Ergonomics, Industrial Hygiene
and OSHA Compliance. Kennedy-Western University is a licensed
post secondary institution pursuant to the State of Wyoming
Private Schools Licensing Act W.S. 21-2-401 through 21-2-407.
Therefore, Kennedy-Western's degree programs are recognized
within business and industry.
Doctorate - The Safety Engineering program at Kennedy-Western
University is a discipline which is regulatory driven as well
as technology driven, and as such is continually evolving
with new legal and regulatory requirements being addressed
by safety professionals. New interpretations of the discipline
are also introduced by innovative technology, and Kennedy-Western
continues to adapt the Safety Engineering program as the needs
of the industry change. At the doctorate level, action-oriented
research is encouraged, with clear applications to industry.
Courses include Safety and Health Law, Emergency and Disaster
Preparedness Management, Analytical Safety and Human Factors
Engineering. Kennedy-Western University is a licensed post
secondary institution pursuant to the State of Wyoming Private
Schools Licensing Act W.S. 21-2-401 through 21-2-407. Therefore,
Kennedy-Western's degree programs are recognized within business
and industry.
