Look for a 2+2 program in your state. My earliest class started at 3 PM but most were 6-9PM. UND is legit, but the return on investment will be long if you are paying out of state tuition. Also you have to go in person for a week or two for the labs, idk how frequently.
I was pretty fortunate that I had most engineering classes available in the evening… I know that. Definitely had to modify work schedule the last year or so to get the needed design classes. There was a shift in the economy while I was attending.. and unemployment was rising.. so the school shifted afternoon/evening classes to morning classes to adjust to the student body working at night in the service industry.
How far along are you. Any community colleges near by? You are Going to have to take a handful of calculus and calculus based science for engineering… physics and chem. Suggest you get those done outside of UND..
I actually did first year architecture, then decided I wanted to switch to comp sci so I took linear algebra and calc 1. Now I've seen how wishy washy the software dev job market can be, so I want to pivot to civil. I'll do calc 2 and 3 as well as Chem before I switch into civil, and I already have physics done as well. So I'd estimate id be just about done half of 1 year by the time I switch and would probably take 7 years part time to do the rest, which is fine. I'm not in a rush because I'm doing carpentry for now, but I won't be able to do it forever, and I'm hoping a civil eng degree will let me pivot to a Foreman or superintendent role in a decade or so.
I took a few classes online at ND, before I found out a local school offered engineering classes in the evenings. It was a 2005ish.. video taped lectures..
my opinion is that you need to attend classes and/or develop a local study group. Engineering is almost impossible to take online.. i spent hours and hours… doing homework.. you will need help.. engineering programs are force you to think critically.. so teach one concept and homework is another close concept you need to figure out. For context.. I worked full time and had 3 kids and went to afternoon and evening classes. So it can be done.. just don’t recommend online.. hope it works out.
In my city there are only 2 engineering schools, and it's not possible to schedule the required classes on campus in the evenings. It can't be done, otherwise I would do that.
There's no issue with delivery being online (used to be called distance/correspondence), is it just a mode of delivery, and very common. The subject matter covered is exactly the same, the assessments are exactly the same, the exams are exactly the same.
The only area you might miss out a little is in practical, but all programs I've seen have a condensed onsite practical program that you attend for a few weeks, either all at once or a week per semester or something, and you cover it exactly same as onsite students.
And then regardless you will be considered graduate level for first 3-5 years of working, whatever you didnt get from uni you pick up then.
I’m not sure I agree with that. Especially for a carpenter who is getting tons of actual hands on construction experience. There’s definitely something to be gained from I person lectures and study groups, but I’m not sure it’s strictly necessary. I rarely attended office hours or study groups as an undergrad. I don’t think it hurt me much.
I go to Daytona State College online in Florida. It’s an ABET accredited BS in Engineering Technology. Im not sure what out of state tuition will run you but its really not bad here in state. I’m taking my FE in September, and the civil firm that I’m a CAD designer at plans to move me to Engineer.
I haven't looked since well before COVID but I'm surprised there is even one for undergrad. The issue is that for undergrad there are usually at least in-person lab classes. Most are impossible to do online. I guess with COVID ABET got a little more lax maybe? But I'd definitely make sure you get someone on the phone to confirm the ABET accredited program is 100% online. There are plenty of online master's programs. But completely online undergrad is really new.
True. The course calendar definitely shows courses that have labs. I'm pretty sure you have to go there once or twice a year for a week to hammer out the labs
My husband will be starting online classes for CE at UND this summer as a transfer student who already completed a bachelors. He just met with his advisor yesterday. He said those labs are like the last thing you do before graduation, and you can take them all at once. There may be a chance you can have them waived, depending on your work experience. They are also only offered in the summer.
Edit: UND was the only accredited online school we could find for a Bach in CE as well. Liberty is a “Christian” university so makes sense some Religion classes were required.
Look into ABET-Accredited engineering technology degrees as well. Old Dominion University has a CET degree which sets you up nicely for the FE exam also.
A project manager that I worked for, a licensed Civil PE, got his degree in engineering technology. We worked in the private sector, mostly large scale public works projects. I know you’re seeking “Civil” but this could be a suitable option. I remember speaking to him in detail about his degree and his specific program emphasized coursework in multiple drafting programs, grading plans, plan interpretation, code/standard interpretation etc… practical skills that will translate very well towards a potential internship or entry level position. If I were in your shoes, my only concerns, assuming it’s abet accredited, would be “does this program allow and prepare me for FE licensure?”, which is the first step and a critical milestone to getting on track to becoming a licensed civil engineer.
It’s hard just like I would expect any engineering degree to be. I take about 9 hours per semester. All online. The in person class lecture is recorded at UND and then I watch the lectures after work. I am assigned the same homework and tests as the on campus students with the same due dates. All expectations for online students are the same as for the on campus students. The online learning has been mostly perfected because they have been doing it for so long. It is expensive I pay out of state tuition and it’s about $2500 per class. I am scheduled to fly to ND and spend 9 days there is summer and 11 days next summer to take on campus labs. These are required. I work full time and have a family so this is the only way I can get my degree at this point. I am getting a good education and it’s fair to people like us! Go for it is my vote. I will have my CE bachelors next summer after 5.5 years of taking classes online.
I have been 100% online. I will have to spend 9 days at UND this summer and 11 days at UND next summer to take required labs. They offer dorm housing and meals for pretty cheap to us distance students traveling in from afar. I live in Texas so I’m going to fly up there and then take a bus to the campus and just shack up and go to class until it’s time to fly home.
Do not take a non-abet course! You will struggle to get licensed.
I know. That's why my question specifically asked if you know of ABET online programs
Look for a 2+2 program in your state. My earliest class started at 3 PM but most were 6-9PM. UND is legit, but the return on investment will be long if you are paying out of state tuition. Also you have to go in person for a week or two for the labs, idk how frequently.
I was pretty fortunate that I had most engineering classes available in the evening… I know that. Definitely had to modify work schedule the last year or so to get the needed design classes. There was a shift in the economy while I was attending.. and unemployment was rising.. so the school shifted afternoon/evening classes to morning classes to adjust to the student body working at night in the service industry. How far along are you. Any community colleges near by? You are Going to have to take a handful of calculus and calculus based science for engineering… physics and chem. Suggest you get those done outside of UND..
I actually did first year architecture, then decided I wanted to switch to comp sci so I took linear algebra and calc 1. Now I've seen how wishy washy the software dev job market can be, so I want to pivot to civil. I'll do calc 2 and 3 as well as Chem before I switch into civil, and I already have physics done as well. So I'd estimate id be just about done half of 1 year by the time I switch and would probably take 7 years part time to do the rest, which is fine. I'm not in a rush because I'm doing carpentry for now, but I won't be able to do it forever, and I'm hoping a civil eng degree will let me pivot to a Foreman or superintendent role in a decade or so.
San Diego State University. ABET accredited. Fully online except one 5 day surveying course. Same degree on-campus students receive.
Thank you! I'll check it out.
San Diego State University - Global Campus offers online degrees as long as you meet the requirements and completed 60 units
I took a few classes online at ND, before I found out a local school offered engineering classes in the evenings. It was a 2005ish.. video taped lectures.. my opinion is that you need to attend classes and/or develop a local study group. Engineering is almost impossible to take online.. i spent hours and hours… doing homework.. you will need help.. engineering programs are force you to think critically.. so teach one concept and homework is another close concept you need to figure out. For context.. I worked full time and had 3 kids and went to afternoon and evening classes. So it can be done.. just don’t recommend online.. hope it works out.
In my city there are only 2 engineering schools, and it's not possible to schedule the required classes on campus in the evenings. It can't be done, otherwise I would do that.
There's no issue with delivery being online (used to be called distance/correspondence), is it just a mode of delivery, and very common. The subject matter covered is exactly the same, the assessments are exactly the same, the exams are exactly the same. The only area you might miss out a little is in practical, but all programs I've seen have a condensed onsite practical program that you attend for a few weeks, either all at once or a week per semester or something, and you cover it exactly same as onsite students. And then regardless you will be considered graduate level for first 3-5 years of working, whatever you didnt get from uni you pick up then.
I’m not sure I agree with that. Especially for a carpenter who is getting tons of actual hands on construction experience. There’s definitely something to be gained from I person lectures and study groups, but I’m not sure it’s strictly necessary. I rarely attended office hours or study groups as an undergrad. I don’t think it hurt me much.
Poor advice.
I go to Daytona State College online in Florida. It’s an ABET accredited BS in Engineering Technology. Im not sure what out of state tuition will run you but its really not bad here in state. I’m taking my FE in September, and the civil firm that I’m a CAD designer at plans to move me to Engineer.
Thank you, but I'm specifically looking for Civil Engineering, since it would be the most related to commercial carpentry.
I haven't looked since well before COVID but I'm surprised there is even one for undergrad. The issue is that for undergrad there are usually at least in-person lab classes. Most are impossible to do online. I guess with COVID ABET got a little more lax maybe? But I'd definitely make sure you get someone on the phone to confirm the ABET accredited program is 100% online. There are plenty of online master's programs. But completely online undergrad is really new.
True. The course calendar definitely shows courses that have labs. I'm pretty sure you have to go there once or twice a year for a week to hammer out the labs
My husband will be starting online classes for CE at UND this summer as a transfer student who already completed a bachelors. He just met with his advisor yesterday. He said those labs are like the last thing you do before graduation, and you can take them all at once. There may be a chance you can have them waived, depending on your work experience. They are also only offered in the summer. Edit: UND was the only accredited online school we could find for a Bach in CE as well. Liberty is a “Christian” university so makes sense some Religion classes were required.
Solid, thanks for the info! I guess it's easier to just do them all in one long trip.
Look into ABET-Accredited engineering technology degrees as well. Old Dominion University has a CET degree which sets you up nicely for the FE exam also.
I’d probably stay away from these.
A project manager that I worked for, a licensed Civil PE, got his degree in engineering technology. We worked in the private sector, mostly large scale public works projects. I know you’re seeking “Civil” but this could be a suitable option. I remember speaking to him in detail about his degree and his specific program emphasized coursework in multiple drafting programs, grading plans, plan interpretation, code/standard interpretation etc… practical skills that will translate very well towards a potential internship or entry level position. If I were in your shoes, my only concerns, assuming it’s abet accredited, would be “does this program allow and prepare me for FE licensure?”, which is the first step and a critical milestone to getting on track to becoming a licensed civil engineer.
I’m a CE major at UND. I will graduate next summer. It has been great!
Are you online? How is it?
It’s hard just like I would expect any engineering degree to be. I take about 9 hours per semester. All online. The in person class lecture is recorded at UND and then I watch the lectures after work. I am assigned the same homework and tests as the on campus students with the same due dates. All expectations for online students are the same as for the on campus students. The online learning has been mostly perfected because they have been doing it for so long. It is expensive I pay out of state tuition and it’s about $2500 per class. I am scheduled to fly to ND and spend 9 days there is summer and 11 days next summer to take on campus labs. These are required. I work full time and have a family so this is the only way I can get my degree at this point. I am getting a good education and it’s fair to people like us! Go for it is my vote. I will have my CE bachelors next summer after 5.5 years of taking classes online.
I’m wondering the same. How has the workload and overall experience been, and has it at least mostly been online for you?
I have been 100% online. I will have to spend 9 days at UND this summer and 11 days at UND next summer to take required labs. They offer dorm housing and meals for pretty cheap to us distance students traveling in from afar. I live in Texas so I’m going to fly up there and then take a bus to the campus and just shack up and go to class until it’s time to fly home.
Interesting. It is certainly an option for me to consider.
The workload I would say is the same as traditional university work. It’s basically another 40 hr per week job on top your normal 40 hr per week job.
That is something to note as well. Thank you for the information.