Is there still a need for Petroleum Engineering? Where do i start? I have no college experience but would like to be pointed in the right direction please. I would prefer taking online classes if i can.
You cannot get a Petroleum Engineering degree from a school with ABET accreditation online. Here’s a list of accredited online engineering programs: http://www.abet.org/accreditation/new-to-accreditation/online-programs/.
Yes, Petroleum Engineering is still worth it! Forbes just came out with another top 10 highest paying job list and Petroleum Engineers are STILL #1 despite the oil downturn. I am a current master student as a petroleum engineer and i have buddies that graduated making 100k+ starting (with a masters). The news and media makes everything sound worse. Once you get into the field you’ll understand why it will still be a good degree for at least 50-75 more years.
However, I will say if you want to get a good job you have to go to a reputable school… you honestly probably won’t get a job from an online school. Apply to places such as UT, OU, Colorado school of Mines, LSU, Rice, UH, A&M, TU… ect… basically if you get into a top 10 school for PE, you’ll get a good job. If not, then its questionable. But I hope you’re ready to work your ass off… PE at a top 10 PE school is very rough… over 50% of the people who attempt the degree get flunked out. Only the best survive (or those that work the hardest).
The University of North Dakota offers an ABET accredited petroleum engineering program that is partially online. It is not cheap and you will need to travel to North Dakota for all labs. Labs are offered in compressed format in the summer (~1 credit per week).
That being said, attending engineering classes online can be difficult, especially if this is your first degree. Many of the current distance students in the petroleum engineering program at UND already have a bachelor’s degree and/or significant work experience in the oil/gas industry. This can compensate for the “stigma” of such a degree.
If this is your first degree and you do not have significant experience in O&G, you probably need to consider attending one of the physical schools, as RatZilla said, not online. Also, you won’t be able to participate in on-campus activities and working with other students on homework assignments. These are both significant factors in helping students to get through the rigors of an engineering program.