Has anyone done ODU's Online / Distance Learning Hybrid for Engineering ? (or any Hybrid Eng program

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

I am intent of getting a Civil Engineering / Engineering Tech degree. I have already done much of the research on the differences on this site and elsewhere, and am starting to feel the Engineering Technology is a better fit for me. I am fine at math and in my preparation only have Diff Eq left for math. I could get through the more theoretical based engineering programs, but ultimately I feel I may be educating myself into job roles that I may not be happy in.

I should also note that I am a 40 yr old career changer, who started taking community college classes 4 years ago, one or two classes at a time while working full time in IT as a network engineer which I have done for over 12 years. One of my goals in all of this is to be able to continue to intermingle work (not necessarily IT) and school even if work becomes less and school more as I get close to finishing school. That is the other draw to engineering technology, being slightly less intense I feel I can incorporate work in some way as I go.

I was about to start at Virginia Tech this fall, but was having a hard time with the financials of 5 or 6 semesters of all school. Plus since there is still community college credit I can earn on the cheap, I figured I would continue 2 more semesters at my local community college.

In searching online, I see that ODU offers a hybrid distance Learning for their engineering technology programs. I initially ruled out anything online for engineering for obvious reasons, but in reading into it more, it sounds as if you engage in virtual classrooms for typical classroom lectures and then go on site at ODUs main campus in Norfolk 1 or twice a year for a few week period to complete hands on labs. I still need to confirm some of that with ODU admissions, but that so far sounds like how it works.

This could be the option I am looking for, but would love to hear from anyone who has done or tried an engineering hybrid program.

2

Have you checked into the UMich masters of engineering program? They actually record the in-person lectures and rebroadcast them , have very good support. Not sure about which engineering specialties are offered, but I would look at it.

3

Thanks TooOld, but I’m still trudging through an Eng Bachelors, so looking for anyone’s experience with a mostly on-line bachelors where you complete labs at main campus.

4

CEE Online at Illinois for an MS, too! The only online undergraduate program in civil engineering (that I know of) is at the University of North Dakota. There are others, such as ODU, that are engineering technology. Make sure you understand the difference and know which one you want. I have more experience with graduate-level classes, but I imagine that undergrad work similarly. It’s nice when you have the opportunity to connect with other students, through discussion forums, for example. You have to be self-disciplined to get the work done in an online class.

5

Thanks Librarygirl. Yes I know ODU’s online option is for Eng Tech, but that is the way I am starting to lean anyway. I feel the jobs I’m being prepped for may be a better fit, even if I know I can get through the traditional theoretical eng programs. Plus my only interest in a possible grad degree would be masters engineering mgmt or MBA, both of which I could do with the engineering tech degree.