<p>Would an online degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of North Dakota be worth anything? </p>
<p>I'd like to go back to school for a second degree in engineering. Since I already have a background in geology, petroleum engineering seems like it would be a good fit. Attending a traditional college with the major really isn't an option for me right now as I have a full time job. </p>
<p>I am considering enrolling at UND, but I don't want to spend thousands of dollars on a sheet of paper if it may not help me get a job when I graduate.</p>
<p>I personally would not do it. Online degrees are not well respected in the engineering community from what I have seen. I would ask someone in industry if you have connections if it would be worthwhile. The opinions of the people who would hire you are really all that matter.</p>
<p>The main question is whether the online degree has the same title as the one for live students. At my university, , Illinois Institute of Technology, we have offered courses as well as full degrees over our TV network and online for many years. The lectures and exams are the same for all the students and the “live” students have access to the online lectures as well. This works well for non-laboratory courses but I would not have a lab course be online, of course. in our case, the students all have the same degree and there is no difference, however, we specialize in lecture/capture which means we do not replay courses form year to year, we simply produce the online lectures from the live ones within 12 hours so all the students can view them.</p>
<p>An online degree in engineering??? I think an online degree of any degree is bound to draw alot of criticism from employers and masters programs alike.</p>
<p>Professional Masters are very different than an undergraduate degree. There are fewer courses and often no labs. Many professional masters of engineering students are still working and will do it part-time in the evening and this makes the degree much more amenable to the online format. As i said before, what you want is a degree that is the same as the one the students sitting in the classroom get. If it were a Bachelor’s degree, I would be much less sanguine about it.</p>
<p>Generally speaking, online bachelors degrees carry a stigma that may or may not affect your ability to land a job. It’s a different story with online masters degrees, however…</p>
<p>For most people, it’s just not practical to leave a good paying job (and possibly a house, family, and kids) to get a masters. This is why distance masters programs are so popular, and these programs (at least the reputable ones) do not share the same stigma as online bachelors programs.</p>
<p>Also keep in mind that most online masters programs are geared for those not looking for a position in academia, or dedicated research. For a job in these areas, it’s best to do a thesis masters while physically at the school.</p>
<p>This stigma faces a very heavy bias and should be looked at objectively. First, the ‘online’ degree must be ABET (to be worth your while) accredited - this proves that the program has undergone a rigorous evaluation that meets the requirements of the aforementioned organization. It must also be noted that these programs revolve around integrity, much like traditional schools do with their students.</p>
<p>These programs require strict proctor guidelines and require the same level of coursework completion as those that attend on campus classes. </p>
<p>Furthermore, most individuals that are critical of these types of programs discredit the ability to learn from a autodidact oriented style. All in all, it is what you make of it and how you value your honor to preform to the school policies regarding program itegrity.</p>
<p>If you go for a Masters, ABET accreditation is not relevant as graduate programs are generally not accredited. You have not mentioned what your first degree was in. If it is sufficient to get you into a Masters program, go for that and find one that will fit your needs, online is OK.</p>
<p>To be an engineer in my state requires an ABET bachelor’s degree. A masters wont suffice. </p>
<p>UND is the only college I can find that offers any ABET engineering degree online. Their civil, chemical, electrical, and mechanical distance degrees are already ABET accredited. The only reason their petroleum degree isn’t is because it’s too new. It’s scheduled to undergo testing in 2015, and it should be accredited before I might graduate. </p>
<p>The program is not entirely online. They require students to be on-campus for the labs. The labs are taught in a compressed format over a week or two, which I can attend by using vacation from my current job.</p>
<p>My first degree is in geology, but I’ve had all the math and physics required by most engineering schools, so I expect to be able to do it. I may be able to do a masters degree online after I finish UND, if necessary.</p>
<p>Ah, well then it might be your best choice. Find out if it is the same degree that is awarded to students who do the whole thing on campus.</p>
<p>I would look at a masters program online instead of the one in ND, their are lots of petroleum masters program online geared towards people who do not have an engineering or petroleum engineering minor. </p>