Distance Education Engineering
Q. Looking for a program undergraduate in
Engineering or information system or a CAD related degree?
have approx. 32 credits at a local community college
12 years in my trade (Automotive CAD/CNC/CMM industry)
Work and family make a regular school almost impossible.
Any recommendations?
Have check into Kennedy Western, they claim they are on the level.
Are they a degree mill?
A. 32 Credits? You're off to a good start. Maybe you should narrow down
your field of interest, then look more strongly for a school. Meanwhile,
take a look at the www.regents.edu and www.tesc.edu and www.cosc.edu
websites for some ideas on what you might be able to do. These three
schools are all accredited by US Regional Associations (which are
recognized by the US Department of Education), and *no* in-person
attendance is required. A diploma from any one of these schools will
carry with it good recognition that's pretty much universal.
I bet you never saw a website that said anything like, "This place is
utterly fraudulent, and no way should anyone sign up with us." Well,
I didn't think so. I recall about twenty years ago when counterfeit
8-track tapes were produced by the gazillions, most carrying the
legend "Fully Compliant With US Copyright Laws.". Hogwash.
No one trying to pay you with a check will ever tell you it's a forgery.
If you are looking for a true BS engineering degree that is fully
accredited in the US (as required to become a licensed engineer) you
need to find a program that is both regionally accredited and
accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (EAC/ABET). I've
only found 1 such program (and 1 in the works) being offered via
distance education in North America as noted below.
The University of North Dakota (http://www.conted.und.edu/cedp) is the
only regionally accredited institution I can find which currently
offers a BS Engineering program (Electrical, Chemical, and Mechanical)
via distance education that is an ABET accredited engineering degree.
The University of Florida (http://www.list.ufl.edu/online) plans on
offering in 2001 the first regionally accredited "online" BSEE that is
an ABET accredited engineering degree.
If you are interested in an engineering technology degree that is
fully accredited in the US (as required to become a certified
engineering technologist) you need to find a program that both
regionally accredited and accredited by the Technology Accreditation
Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
(TAC/ABET).
There are at least 3 such Engineering Technology programs that I know
of being offered via distance education in North America as noted
below:
Regents College (http://www.regents.edu/) offers BSNT and BSET
degrees.
Rochester Institute of Technology (http://distancelearning.rit.edu/)
offers BSE/MET degrees.
University of Central Florida
(http://www.ent.engr.ucf.edu/classes/distance.htm) offers BSET
degrees.