There are many online universities that offer computer engineering and computer science degrees. My own school offers both, with an emphasis on the latter. Students take a full year of classes online and then sit for the nationally recognized Computer Engineering Association examination, for a national credential.
Aspiring students typically earn their first bachelor’s degree, followed by their second and subsequent degrees. Students pursuing a bachelor’s in computer engineering can take classes at a community college, two-year or four-year university, or a junior or community college. They typically earn a bachelor’s in computer engineering and a master’s in computer engineering, depending on the institution. Many four-year colleges also offer a bachelor’s degree within the computer science department.
After earning a bachelor’s degree, students may continue on to earn a master’s in computer engineering, which is achieved via an additional year of graduate coursework. The standard length of this program is three years. Courses take up to nine months to complete. Some programs offer additional technical study within the classroom as well as on-the-job experience through an internship. Typically, these programs offer a faster path to entry-level roles, but they are more expensive than many four-year programs.
An associate’s degree is the most common bachelor’s degree for those interested in a computer engineering position. These degrees can be acquired at traditional schools, online schools and on-campus institutions. Those looking to earn their bachelor’s in engineering can expect to take up to two years to complete their courses. Associates degrees typically require more laboratory time and typically involve more coursework. Students who earn an associate’s degree will generally be able to pursue careers in areas such as aerospace, power, automotive, communications, and software.
Students interested in getting a four-year computer science degree can pursue a variety of options. Students who already have a bachelor’s degree typically have a choice between either a two-year or four-year program. Full-time students take more lab time and complete more courses. For many, earning a four-year degree will provide a better opportunity to advance in the field. Online degrees take significantly less time to complete than ones at a local school. Those choosing to enroll in online courses should expect to take three to four years to complete their degrees.
Students may also enter into an accelerated graduate program to finish their degrees faster. Accelerated programs require students to complete their associate degrees as quickly as possible. Students take regular college classes as usual but elect to take specific computer science classes in order to fulfill their graduation goals. This gives students a head start in their career and increases their chances for promotions and higher salaries.
In order to be eligible for a computer engineering master’s degree, students must first complete an accredited associate’s degree. Students who successfully earned their associate degree and are pursuing a bachelor’s degree in engineering can apply to a master’s program with no application fee. Applicants to the master’s program are evaluated based on academic ability, scholastic results and letters of recommendations. Students who are accepted into the program are awarded a Master of Science degree upon completion. Students can then enroll in a graduate program that awards them an executive MBA.
To earn their bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, students must successfully complete an examination known as the NCLEX-PT. This examination is scored on a scale of one to five and is administered by colleges and universities across the country. In addition to passing this examination, students must successfully pass the examination for the National Association of School Officials (NASO) or the National Security Agency (NSA) Certified Computer Information Systems Specialist (CCIS) examination. These examinations are nationally recognized as the benchmark for passing the CCIS certification examination. If a student has not already passed the examination, they must take the exam for it as soon as they have been accepted into a school.
The four year Bachelor of Science in computer science degrees requires that students maintain a B average in all of the courses taken. After graduation, students must pass an examination that measures their understanding of networking and computer systems. Students also must undergo specialized training that prepares them for a career in Information Technology (IT). These degrees are very competitive and have an excellent job outlook for the career field.
The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degrees can take a year or two to complete, depending on the number of units taken per semester. It is recommended that students take about two years if they plan to take a full year to finish their degrees. If students decide to take longer than two years, they must work to raise their GPA in order to transfer to another school. All graduate schools accept the credits that are earned through the degree. Many schools also require that students take a placement test before being allowed to enter their computer science major.