Recommended Online Structural Engineering Schools?
Recommended Online Structural Engineering Schools?
(OP)
I have been working as a structural engineer for several months now. I am considering going back to school online to get my master's degree in structural engineering in order to gain a better understanding of my work. Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced school which has a good online civil/structural grad program? I live in Alabama.
Thanks!
Thanks!





RE: Recommended Online Structural Engineering Schools?
These schools offer a full Structural emphasis in an MSCE degree.
North Carolina State $1,800/course
Kansas State $2,100/course
Missouri S&T $3,100/course
University of Southern California $4,700/course
These schools offer a general MSCE but have structural courses that you may be able to transfer.
Auburn
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
University of Idaho
There very well may be other schools which offer the full program but I have not come across them. Would anyone like to comment on the schools named above?
I’d be happy to offer more insight about my experience, the distance ed process, reasons for pursuing or not pursuing this degree if you’d like.
RE: Recommended Online Structural Engineering Schools?
gjc
RE: Recommended Online Structural Engineering Schools?
RE: Recommended Online Structural Engineering Schools?
RE: Recommended Online Structural Engineering Schools?
Because I’m nearing the end of my program, it has been hard to arrange courses to take that align well with my schedule. For instance, only 2 or 3 courses are offered each Spring and another 2-3 each fall, but many of these I have taken already, am not interested in, took as an undergrad, or my employer is not interested in refunding me the expense. I guess I just don’t have a lot of choices, so I am actually looking to another school where I can take the course and transfer it back. NC State has an advantage in that they appear to be scheduling out classes many semesters in advance so students can plan accordingly. As for my school (Missouri S&T), I think the education has been very good. Schools are hard to compare as most people are partial to their alma-mater, myself included. Each class viewed online is an actual class at the university that I would have taken if I were on campus and it’s broadcast live. I can even chime in with my headset and ask questions. All students can hear each other. All classes are archived for review within a few hours. I traditionally do not attend classes live and just view them in the evening since I work days. I would certainly recommend the MSCE program. The format is clean and practical, and the professors (no TAs) are always accessible via email and very helpful as well.
I know this is a very large decision for you. Best of Luck!
RE: Recommended Online Structural Engineering Schools?
27 years later and facing a downsizing, I knew I needed to do something to enhance my skills. Many of the courses were the same topics I had previously studied, but the use of computers had completely changed both education and the work environment. It was a perfect oportunity to upgrade my skills. 2 of my 3 subsequent employers reimbursed me for B or better grades, and this became my required continuing education.
There was one semester that nothing being offered fit my requirements, and one other where I had to drop the class because of personal reasons. So it took 6 1/2years to complete the (11) 3 credit classes required for the non-thesis option.
I think they have a thesis option, but I felt I was too far away from the University and a good research library to even attempt that. That access may all be on-line by now.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
gjc
RE: Recommended Online Structural Engineering Schools?
Thanks again for all the help. I feel much more confident about making a decision, and I plan to enroll in one of these schools as long as it works out financially.
RE: Recommended Online Structural Engineering Schools?
RE: Recommended Online Structural Engineering Schools?
I'm worried because it's been about 5 years since using undergrad calc and diff-eq that I will need to do some self study to bring myself back up to speed on my math skills for the later math intensive classes. Which classes have you taken and which one's required the most in advanced mathematics?
Thanks in advance for your help and I appreciate your previous comments.
pjw
RE: Recommended Online Structural Engineering Schools?
I took Masonry Design and found in to be an excellent course, it’s taught by the technical director of the St. Louis Masonry Society and co-lead by Dr. Myers (MS&T). A good fundamental course in Masonry Design (and actually taught with practice in mind, excellent.)
As far as specific courses and the need for advanced mathematics: I would say that many of the classes hint at calculus, but it’s rarely if ever required for HW/Exams. Courses in Finite Element Analysis (Civ or ME), Structural Dynamics (Civ), Advanced Mechanics of Materials (ME), and Structural Stability (ME) will probably all require some level of Diff EQ. Since the courses aren’t always offered, even years in between, I haven’t and won’t take the first two mentioned above, I just did the third, and not the fourth. To date I have taken, Computer Methods of Structural Analysis, Adv. Concrete Design, Min. Loads on Bldgs., Adv. Lightweight Steel Design, Construction Methods, Incan Geotechnical Construction Practices, Adv. Mechanics of Materials, Project Management, and then have one more. For more specific info, I’d be more than happy to fill you in. A phone call would probably be best.
Good luck PJW, Rolla is a great school, Dr. Myers will be able to help you with any questions about navigating the structural classes, and what’s typically offered.
RE: Recommended Online Structural Engineering Schools?
RE: Recommended Online Structural Engineering Schools?
B+W Engineering and Design
Los Angeles Civil Engineer and Structural Engineer
http://bwengr.com | http://bwstructuralengineer.com | http://bwcivilengineer.com
RE: Recommended Online Structural Engineering Schools?
RE: Recommended Online Structural Engineering Schools?
RE: Recommended Online Structural Engineering Schools?
RE: Recommended Online Structural Engineering Schools?
I am also interested in doing Master degree in Structural Engineering through Distance/Online mode.I found that the overall cost for completing the Master's Degree is approx equal to 20k-25k USD for International Students for the universities which u listed here.I feel it is costly.Do they reduce the fees through scholarship ?.
Does anybody knows Universities which charges nominal amount (1k-5k USD) for the entire course ? Of course,the university should be accredited and recognized internationally.