Education Requirements to Become an Engineer

An engineer is a professional problem solver who applies scientific and mathematical principles to the design, development, and construction of structures and systems. Engineers work across a wide range of industries, developing blueprints for new applications and systems or identifying improvements for existing ones.

The Role of an Engineer

Engineers are charged with solving problems and improving the quality of life for society by applying scientific and mathematical principles. An engineer might work on everything from renewable energy technology that helps mitigate climate change to prosthetic legs to give amputees the opportunity to walk again. The specific tasks an engineer may do depend on their subfield and the project they’re working on.

No two days are the same for an engineer, as they may work on a variety of projects - everything from designing household products to troubleshooting problems in aircraft and spacecraft. An engineer uses critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and creativity to develop solutions to problems.

In general, they may do the following:

Analyze problems to see how a device might help to solve them.
Design or redesign mechanical devices or other equipment, using analysis and computer-aided design.
Develop and test prototypes of designs.
Analyze the test results and change the design as needed.
Oversee the manufacturing process for the device.

Educational Path to Becoming an Engineer

Becoming an engineer generally involves several steps, starting with a strong educational foundation. After obtaining a high school diploma, aspiring engineers must embark on formal training to fulfill the necessary educational requirements for engineering.

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Undergraduate Education

In most cases, a bachelor’s degree in engineering or engineering technology from an institution accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) is the minimum educational requirement to qualify for an entry-level engineering role or further formal training. ABET employs over 2,200 engineering experts from the public and private sectors to evaluate key factors in an engineering program and ensure that they’re up to industry standards. Most employers prefer to hire students from an accredited program.

It’s possible to earn a general bachelor’s degree in engineering that doesn’t include a concentration in an engineering subfield. However, it may be ideal to determine which engineering subfield appeals to you most, and then to earn a degree with a concentration in that area. This allows opportunities to develop specialized knowledge in your chosen subfield.

Admissions requirements for undergraduate engineering programs will vary from school to school, but a competitive GPA (3.0 or greater), strong ACT or SAT scores, letters of recommendation, and personal essays are typically requested. While some schools do offer extremely specific engineering programs as major options (such as water resources engineering or nuclear engineering), it’s more common for prospective engineers to major in a broader engineering discipline, such as civil, electrical, or chemical engineering.

A typical engineering program covers a range of topics, such as:

Mathematics and life and physical sciences
Engineering and design
Calculus, linear algebra, physics, chemistry, and general engineering.

As part of engineering programs, individuals engage in a blend of classroom instruction and hands-on projects through practical problem-solving and experiential learning activities. They can expect to be challenged to develop innovative designs that demonstrate what they’ve been taught.

Graduate Education

After completing a bachelor’s degree in engineering, one can either enter the workforce or pursue further education. A master’s degree will help hone expertise in a specific field of engineering. This advanced degree offers specialized knowledge and skills, building upon the foundation laid during undergraduate studies. A doctoral degree in engineering, also known as a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), is the highest level of academic achievement in the field. A Ph.D. is essential for engineering faculty positions in higher education, as well as for some research and development programs. Mechanical engineers may earn graduate degrees in engineering or business administration to learn new technology, broaden their education, and enhance their project management skills. UND also offers M.S. and Ph.D. programs in respective fields.

Specific Engineering Disciplines and Their Educational Paths

With so many different disciplines in engineering, it’s hard to say which is the best undergraduate program. The engineering field is broad. You must pursue a degree that focuses on the work you want to do one day, from chemical to civil engineering. Here are some examples:

Aerospace Engineer: After graduating from an accredited program, many prospective aerospace engineers pursue a master of science in aerospace engineering (MSAE) degree from an accredited program. Coursework may include topics such as fracture mechanics, aeroelasticity, orbital mechanics, statistical theories of turbulence, nonlinear control systems, and the dynamic behavior of materials. Admissions requirements vary from school to school but may include a competitive GPA (3.0 or greater), GMAT or GRE scores, work experience, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.
Automotive Engineer: After graduating from an accredited university degree program, many prospective automotive engineers elect to attend a master’s program in automotive engineering. Specializations are available in advanced powertrains, advanced vehicle manufacturing, chassis & materials, electrification, intelligent vehicle systems and design, and vehicle performance and control. Core coursework will explore topics such as thermofluid processes, internal combustion engines, automotive body structures, embedded control systems, and hydrogen and fuel cell systems.
Biomedical Engineer: After graduating from an accredited undergraduate program, many prospective biomedical engineers go on to pursue a master’s degree. Students may focus on areas such as instrumentation, imaging, computational medicine, neuroengineering, or genomics. Typical coursework in biomedical engineering master’s programs covers topics such as advanced systems physiology, computational neuroscience, applied partial differential equations, biomechanics of movement, and fluid mechanics.
Chemical Engineer: After graduating from an accredited undergraduate program, many prospective chemical engineers choose to earn a master’s degree. Typical core coursework includes thermodynamics, transport phenomena, advances in pollution prevention, polymer science and technology, chemical reaction engineering, and nanoscale engineering. Specialization areas may include topics like thermodynamics, surface science, catalysis, and electrochemical systems.
Civil Engineer: After graduating from an accredited program, many civil engineers choose to pursue a master’s degree. Typical coursework includes structural design, fluid mechanics, civil engineer applications and drafting tools, and solid or hazardous waste management. Further specialization is available in areas such as construction, structural, environmental, power systems, or water systems engineering, and dedicated master’s programs also exist for these sub-disciplines.
Computer Engineer: After earning an undergraduate degree from an accredited university, many aspiring computer engineers elect to earn a master’s degree. Typical coursework will cover controls and signals, nanostructures, nonlinear control systems, advanced protocols and network security, and distributed systems and middleware. Specializations include computer science, cybersecurity, data science, and software engineering, each of which may have its own dedicated master’s program in addition to being a specialization in a generic computer engineering program.
Electrical Engineer: After graduating from an accredited university, many aspiring electrical engineers elect to earn a master’s degree. Students may pursue a master’s of electrical engineering, a master’s of electrical and computer engineering, or a master’s of nanoengineering. Baseline electrical engineering programs will offer further specialization in electronics, power systems, or nanotechnology. Typical coursework includes subjects such as mixed-signal integrated circuit design, solid-state electronics, microprocessors, and electromagnetics.
Engineering Manager: After earning a bachelor’s degree from an accredited program, many aspiring engineering managers choose to pursue a master’s degree. Master’s programs may take the form of a master’s in business administration (MBA), technology management (MSTM), or engineering management (MEM or Ms-EM). Engineering management programs will generally focus their coursework on financial management, engineering economics, human resources, quality control, and accounting. Technology-focused management programs will have coursework on project management, operations management, and health and safety.
Environmental Engineer: After graduating from an accredited university, many aspiring environmental engineers elect to earn a master’s degree. Concentrations are available in environmental chemistry, environmental risk management, sustainability, hazardous and solid wastes, air pollution, water resources, and coastal and ecological engineering. Typical coursework includes solid and hazardous waste management, microclimatology, element analysis, environmental chemodynamics, water quality management, marine microbial ecology, and operations and processes in sanitary engineering.
Industrial Engineer: After earning a bachelor’s degree from an accredited program, many aspiring industrial engineers choose to pursue a master’s degree. Typical coursework covers areas such as warehousing systems, linear optimization, Bayesian statistics, supply chain systems, operations research, and manufacturing systems.
Materials Engineer: After graduating from an accredited program, many aspiring materials engineers choose to pursue a master’s degree. Concentrations are available in areas such as electronic materials, metals, polymers, structural materials, or general studies. Typical coursework covers areas like advanced materials principles, vector calculus, ordinary differential equations, thermodynamics, polymer physical science, diffusion, kinetics, and transport.
Mechanical Engineer: After earning a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, many prospective mechanical engineers elect to pursue a master’s degree (MSME). Areas of concentration include general studies, energy conversion, manufacturing and materials processing, robotics, thermofluids, or dynamics and control. Typical coursework covers areas such as engineering fluid dynamics, principles of combustion, multiphase flows, energy and propulsion, and convective processes.

Licensure and Certification

In the United States, engineers must be licensed before practicing and providing services. While meeting these educational requirements doesn’t automatically authorize you to practice engineering professionally, it brings you closer to securing licenses from state regulatory boards. These licenses will give you legal permission to provide engineering services to the public. Engineering is a highly regulated profession that requires individuals to meet strict educational requirements before pursuing certain roles or engaging in practice.

Among these licenses, the professional engineer (PE) license is one of the highest credentials you can earn. A PE can oversee the work of other engineers, sign off on projects, and provide services directly to the public.

Fundamentals of Engineering (FE): The FE is a written exam that tests your understanding of basic engineering principles. As early as their senior year, prospective engineers may sit for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, offered through the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). The exam may focus on chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical and computer engineering, environmental engineering, industrial and systems engineering, mechanical engineering, or other disciplines. Once the exam is passed, a candidate earns licensure as an engineer in training (EIT) or an engineering intern (EI). You can register for the FE exam through the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). The initial FE exam can be taken after one earns a bachelor’s degree. Engineers who pass this exam are commonly called engineers in training (EITs) or engineer interns (EIs).
Principles and Practice in Engineering (PE): The PE exam tests your knowledge and skills in a specific engineering discipline. Applicants must pass two exams to qualify for the PE license: the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and the Principles and Practices of Engineering (PE) exam. After graduating from university and passing their FE exam, an engineer’s career path will be largely determined by the specialization they choose to pursue. After earning their master’s degree, many engineers focus on gaining practical experience in their field. Four years of such experience, when combined with undergraduate and master’s degrees, will qualify one to sit for licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE).
Engineer-in-Training (EIT): After passing the FE exam, most states will also require you to complete an EIT certificate. Some states require an annual renewal for this certificate. Depending on your state, it may have additional requirements that go beyond the basic prerequisites.

The licensing process for engineers doesn’t end with securing the initial license. Effectively managing your license is essential for maintaining an active status and often involves periodic renewal. These activities demonstrate your commitment to ongoing learning and skill enhancement. As a result, engineers must keep track of the renewal frequency and continuing education criteria in the states they operate in to retain their legal authority to practice engineering. This is also the case for engineering firms employing such professionals. Several states require engineers to take continuing education to renew their licenses every year. Continuing education credits (CEUs) can help enrich an engineering career in numerous ways.

Essential Skills for Engineers

Although specific skills can vary depending on the engineering specialization, many skills are applicable to many subfields. Engineers need strong technical skills, of course, but transferable soft skills are also helpful.

The skills that can benefit an engineering professional include:

Analytical reasoning
Problem-solving
Strong communication
Creativity and innovation
Mathematics proficiency
Mechanical competency
Listening skills
Math skills
Mechanical skills
Problem-solving skills
Teamwork
Attention to detail
Adaptability

Career Growth

After gaining some work experience, an engineer may qualify to earn their PE license, thereby providing a pathway to position themselves for potential career advancement. An experienced engineer may eventually become a manager or administrator. To grow professionally, it helps to network with others in the field by joining groups like the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), or the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE).

Salary and Job Outlook

Salary expectations can vary depending on a number of factors, including years of experience, additional certifications and licensure status, as well as the employer. In addition, the median annual wage for engineers can vary depending on their subfield. According to the BLS, mechanical engineers have a median annual wage of $99,510 as of May 2023. The median annual wage for mechanical engineers was $102,320 in May 2024. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

The specific job growth rate for engineers varies depending on their subfield. In mechanical engineering, the job growth rate is much faster than average, according to the BLS. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook estimates job growth for mechanical engineers to be 11% from 2023 to 2033, indicating that about 32,100 new jobs are estimated to open in the subfield. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment of mechanical engineers is expected to increase as automation and innovation create demand for these workers to design, develop, test, and maintain a variety of products and systems.

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