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Opinions of online Mechanical Engineering degree
Posted on 9/1/15 at 9:27 pm
Posted on 9/1/15 at 9:27 pm
I've been in the oilfield for almost 9 years now after dropping out of LSU. I considered going back to school before I started having kids (#4 on the way) but never did. With the way the oilfield is now I'm looking for alternatives. I'm back out in the field now as an MWD hand after working in the office in operations the last 5 years (had to cut overhead) with the promise of being back in the office when things pick up. Doing MWD work there is plenty of time to keep up with online schoolwork. When I originally went to LSU I wanted to go for mechanical but because I could get a scholarship if I was in agriculture, because my dad was a farmer, I went for ag business and absolutely hated it. I also partied too much, which led to losing scholarships and dropping out.
I would like to go back to school but with having to provide for a family being a full time student for 3 or 4 years is not very realistic. I've started to do a little research into online engineering degrees and a few schools have started offering them. The University of North Dakota offers a mechanical degree (6+ years to complete) online where you have to go up to North Dakota for up to two weeks during the summer for labs. This would be doable. Alabama also offers a mechanical degree online but they have hardly any information on it.
My question: Has anybody obtained an engineering degree online? Or know anybody who has? For those of you who completed engineering degrees the conventional way, how much more difficult do you think it would be doing it online?
I know its a long post but I don't care. For those who will tell me I just shouldn't have dropped out in the first place
And for serious responses thanks in advance 
I would like to go back to school but with having to provide for a family being a full time student for 3 or 4 years is not very realistic. I've started to do a little research into online engineering degrees and a few schools have started offering them. The University of North Dakota offers a mechanical degree (6+ years to complete) online where you have to go up to North Dakota for up to two weeks during the summer for labs. This would be doable. Alabama also offers a mechanical degree online but they have hardly any information on it.
My question: Has anybody obtained an engineering degree online? Or know anybody who has? For those of you who completed engineering degrees the conventional way, how much more difficult do you think it would be doing it online?
I know its a long post but I don't care. For those who will tell me I just shouldn't have dropped out in the first place
And for serious responses thanks in advance 
15
Posted on 9/1/15 at 9:30 pm to malvin
Have one more and start a basketball team like the globe trotters.
Train them and tour them across the country. Engineering doesn't offer that kind of freedom.
Train them and tour them across the country. Engineering doesn't offer that kind of freedom.
Posted on 9/1/15 at 9:31 pm to malvin
I wouldn't do any engineering degree online. That sounds shady, IMO.
Posted on 9/1/15 at 9:33 pm to malvin
If it's through an accredited brick & mortar, then go for it.
Posted on 9/1/15 at 9:38 pm to malvin
Would you want to start from the bottom as a new hire mechanical engineer, or would your company be able to find a better position for you if you had a degree?
Posted on 9/1/15 at 10:00 pm to malvin
If its not ABET-accredited, it's bullshite.
Posted on 9/1/15 at 10:34 pm to malvin
Most of your engineering classes (at least mine) went along with a 'lab class'. I'm not sure how that would work online or if it's possible. I was EE by the way so may be different from ME, but I doubt it.
Posted on 9/1/15 at 10:43 pm to malvin
Online isn't the same. I'm a EE major and wouldn't in my wildest dreams attempt to earn it online. It's not practical and sounds shady.
Posted on 9/1/15 at 10:56 pm to malvin
it would be better than no degree.
The great thing about engineering and computer programming is that if you can do the job, you can keep the job. Its no skin off their backside if you don't make it.
At least North Dakota is making it seem professional.
MIT offers most of their classes free online, no credit. You could do one online first and see if you stick with a course long enough to learn anything.
The great thing about engineering and computer programming is that if you can do the job, you can keep the job. Its no skin off their backside if you don't make it.
At least North Dakota is making it seem professional.
MIT offers most of their classes free online, no credit. You could do one online first and see if you stick with a course long enough to learn anything.
Posted on 9/1/15 at 11:30 pm to malvin
I can't even imagine doing an engineering degree on line....not sure why I feel that way, though. While I think the degree would be beneficial, I think there would always be some prejudice against you in the workplace that an online degree just isn't quite the same as conventional...
that said, if it is accredited and you can handle it, you would certainly be better off with an online degree than without one...
my only caution is that I hear that a lot of online degrees are shockingly expensive...be sure that the return on your investment is there before starting...
that said, if it is accredited and you can handle it, you would certainly be better off with an online degree than without one...
my only caution is that I hear that a lot of online degrees are shockingly expensive...be sure that the return on your investment is there before starting...
Posted on 9/2/15 at 12:07 am to malvin
One of the above posters gave a good warning about expenses. I had considered getting an online degree in engineering. However what paused my efforts was noting the expenses of the schools you mentioned.
That being said, it is worth it to go back to school to obtained an engineering degree (like what I am doing now). In my case, I went to graduate school, so I am spending at least $20,000 a year in debt.
So I would make sure that you can handle the expenses. As for the notoriety of the degree, as long as its ABET it will be okay. That is what I search for when I decided to apply for engineering programs.
Posted on 9/2/15 at 7:56 am to malvin
quote:
The University of North Dakota offers a mechanical degree (6+ years to complete) online where you have to go up to North Dakota for up to two weeks during the summer for labs.
While that might sound decent, think about a 6 year program that you will need to complete while still providing for your family. ANY engineering degree is going to require long study hours. I can't imagine trying to complete the last about year and a half of course work without personal help. I'm talking either being able to directly contact professors either during class time or after and having other students to discuss things and help with studies.
Posted on 9/2/15 at 8:07 am to malvin
How close are you to getting your other degree? I would finish up an interdisciplinary degree and concentrate on using Engineering as your discipline. Get with the program heads about getting into the masters program and using those credit hours in your interdisciplinary degree to level you off as LAPELS requires you to have leveling courses to "catch you up" so you can be competent before attempting the FE and the masters program.
Posted on 9/2/15 at 8:28 am to malvin
Just curious on where you are working? Gom?
Posted on 9/2/15 at 8:55 am to malvin
The only reason I made it through engineering was going to office hours and in case lecture. I taught myself probably 50% of everything I learned but it was pretty difficult. Couldn't imagine not being able to meet with a professor and discuss homework/test questions.
Posted on 9/2/15 at 8:57 am to malvin
How do you even get a capstone done online?
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