Engineering Education in the U.S.

This article provides an overview of undergraduate and postgraduate engineering programs in the US.

  • Undergraduate Engineering Degrees
  • Postgraduate Engineering Degrees
  • Engineering Scholarships
  • Engineering Professional Associations

Engineering Education in the U.S.Engineering graduates are in demand all over the world. Engineers are needed not only for the practical application of the engineering industry, but also in professional fields including medicine, law, business and government. The specific knowledge of science and technology that engineering graduates provide is important for almost all organisations to remain competitive. As the potential use for engineering skills grows, engineering programmes at US universities advance and expand in focus. Majors now include Aeronautics and Astronautics, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Ocean Engineering, Biological Engineering, Engineering Systems, and Systems Design and Management. Each of these subjects has its own curriculum and employment opportunities.

Undergraduate Engineering Degrees

Please keep in mind that US university courses and programmes differ greatly from one another in any discipline. However, the admissions process for undergraduate degrees in engineering is similar to other programmes of study in the US. Usually, you must apply directly to the institution, so visit their website to find more information. Most US colleges and universities require SAT exam results, a personal statement, a transcript, and letters of recommendation. Please read our handout, The EAS Guide to Undergraduate Study in the US for more information about application procedures. The best way to discover whether a programme is right for you is to study its course listings and to think about its faculty. Are they professionals or scholars? Is their work research orientated, professional or academic? Think about what you wish to do after finishing your education and seek programmes whose courses and professors will help you to accomplish your goals.

It is also important to know if the programme you are applying to is accredited. The status of your undergraduate institution could affect you chances of enrolling in graduate school or becoming a certified Professional Engineer. The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology reviews the quality of university programs and awards accreditation for those schools that meet the minimum standards. You can learn more about the accreditation process by visiting abet.org/.

Two-Year Engineering Programmes

Community Colleges in the US offer technical Engineering Degrees including an Associate of Science (A.S.) and Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.). After completing an Associates Degree, students are qualified to work as a technician or many continue to a four-year institution to earn a Bachelor's degree. For more information about community colleges, please see aacc.nche.edu/.

Bachelor's Degree Curriculum

Similar to other 4-year undergraduate degrees in the US, engineering students are usually required to complete a series of general education courses before choosing in a specific major. Most undergraduate students are required to take courses that are part of a core-curriculum in the first two years of study. General requirements include humanities, literature, science and math courses. During the first two years students also need to fulfil the pre-requisite or introductory courses in the subject of their interest. In the final two years students choose from courses that relate to their specific major in this case, engineering science. Most undergraduate programmes will combine mathematical and scientific theory with hands on laboratory experience in order to prepare students for postgraduate studies or immediate entry to the workforce. To find bachelor's degrees in Engineering, you can use the following search engine, or see the ABET website.

Postgraduate Engineering Degrees

Master's Programme Admission

In order to gain admittance to postgraduate engineering programmes in the US, most schools require applicants to have an undergraduate degree in engineering, but a maths or science degree may be acceptable. Some postgraduate programmes will expect students to be familiar with basic electric circuits and electromagnetic theory. If you are not comfortable with some core engineering theories it may be possible to complete remedial courses along with your postgraduate courses.

If you have a Bachelor's degree from a foreign institution and are planning to continue your Engineering studies by earning a postgraduate degree in the United States you may have to prove that your foreign undergraduate degree is substantially equivalent to an ABET-accredited institution. Most postgraduate engineering programme applications require an official transcript of past studies, a letter of reference, a personal statement and a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test score minimum of 550, if English is not your native language. Some programmes may require a graduate admission test, such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). To find schools that offer Master's programs in Engineering, you can use the following search engine, or see the ABET website.

Master's Programme Curriculum

Postgraduate Engineering Students earn a Master's of Science (MS) or a Master's of Engineering (MEng) degree. It is common for graduate students to choose to specialise in one of the five basic fields of engineering; Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Industrial, or Mechanical. Most postgraduate engineering programmes develop the skills desirable in a competitive work environment. Many engineering schools offer a curriculum with a focus on using technology, working in teams, and taking courses in other disciplines.

Doctorate Programmes

The two highest degrees an engineer can earn are a Doctor of Science (DSc) or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). In order to gain a position as a researcher or a teacher, most engineers will need to earn a Doctorate degree. A Doctorate degree usually takes a minimum of seven years of undergraduate and postgraduate study.

Fellowships and Scholarships for Engineering Studies

A number of fellowships and scholarships have been instituted to aid further study and research in the engineering field. Most of these are intended for individuals pursuing careers in engineering. Students interested in Engineering Studies should contact organisations specialising in their particular interest for information about funding that may be available to them. Students should contact all of the institutions to which they intend to apply and enquire about university-funded scholarships and fellowships, which are becoming increasingly common in engineering fields. There may also be teaching assistantships, research assistantships or administrative assistantships offered by the university.

The organisations listed below provide funding for students interested in engineering. This list is by no means complete, and students are urged to do their own research into new funding options. Students should contact funding organisations directly to determine their eligibility for awards.

Engineering Professional Associations

As this list is not exhaustive, please search the internet for more organisations in your specific field. The associations listed below are helpful for prospective students because they can provide insight into specific engineering fields, and have awards for undergraduate students, postgraduate students, and research scholars. These associations are also helpful to job applicants because there might be a professional willing to share his or her experience in a specific occupation or help you in your job search.