Guide to Online Environmental Engineering Degrees
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- Environmental engineers find solutions to ecological issues using engineering principles.
- A bachelor's in environmental engineering requires four years, including STEM courses.
- Graduating with this degree can open up lucrative and rewarding careers.
Environmental engineers are helping head off climate change, save our soil, reduce water usage, and generally preserve our planet for future generations. A bachelor's degree in environmental engineering or a related field can be the key to a career in research, civil design, or water treatment.
If you love math and science, are passionate about the natural world, and enjoy working on a team, you may want to consider pursuing this field.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
In this guide, you can discover what an environmental engineering degree online looks like, which schools offer this program, and what careers you can pursue after graduation.
What Is an Online Environmental Engineering Degree?
An online environmental engineering bachelor's degree offers a comprehensive introduction to sustainable engineering practices. This program focuses on preparing you to address pressing environmental challenges through innovative engineering solutions.
Expect a blend of theoretical coursework and practical applications, possibly with virtual laboratories and simulations. Common courses in the bachelor's program often cover environmental systems analysis, water resources management, air pollution control, and sustainable design principles.
Pursuing this major takes around four years, though some students might take accelerated programs or part-time options to accommodate other commitments. The average credit load varies, but often ranges from 12 - 15 credits per semester.
In comparison to in-person programs, most online engineering degrees offer greater flexibility, allowing convenient access to lectures and course materials. You'll still have the chance to engage in group discussions, collaborate on projects, and interact with faculty through virtual platforms.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Curriculum for Online Degrees in Environmental Engineering
Online environmental engineering degrees have their own unique curriculum. However, you should plan on taking a broad array of natural science coursework along with public policy and engineering courses. Consider the following examples:
- Hydrology and Watershed Management: Explore the measurements and processes influencing water quality and quantity within watersheds. The course covers the fundamental principles of hydrology along with geomorphology and its impact on water quality assessment.
- Global Climate Change: This interdisciplinary course offers a comprehensive understanding of the known and unknown aspects of global climate change and viable response strategies. Topics may include an in-depth analysis of climate drivers such as greenhouse gas emissions and land-use changes, and the investigation of climate system responses like intensified storm events and rising surface temperatures.
- Environmental Toxicology: Students learn about the effects of environmental chemicals, delving into how exposure to toxins affects plant, animal, and human systems. Topics include risk assessment, ethical considerations, and the vital role of social responsibility in the realm of environmental toxicology.
- Water Science: A comprehensive exploration of water sources, utilization, management, and preservation, this course digs into topics at the intersections of biology, economics, and health. You'll learn to assess chemicals in water and wastewater.
- Environmental Ethics: Discover how to view environmental issues through a moral and philosophical lens, applying traditional moral philosophies to contemporary environmental challenges.
- Critical Zone Science: Explore the earth's surface in this multidisciplinary course; study where air, water, rock, soil, and life meet. The goal is to generate new ideas for climate change and land use.
- Energy and Sustainability in Contemporary Culture: How does the media influence public perception of energy-related issues? In this class, you'll take a look at books, films, and other modern media as they relate to energy and sustainability.
Getting Into an Environmental Engineering Online Program
Boost your chances of acceptance by meeting or exceeding your chosen schools' admission requirements. While each school sets its own standards, common admission requirements include:
-
High School Diploma, GED certificate, or HiSET: Applicants must submit high school transcripts or scores from an equivalency test. Some schools may require specific coursework at the secondary level for entering engineering majors. -
Minimum Grade Point Average (GPA): Each school sets an expected GPA but may look at applicants with lower GPAs if other areas of their applications are strong. -
SAT or ACT Scores: Some schools require standardized test scores, and others do not. Minimum acceptable scores vary by school, but the average SAT score for prospective engineering majors in 2021 was 1140. -
Proof of Residency: If you're applying to public institutions, provide proof of residency to see if you qualify for in-state tuition rates. -
Application Fee: Some schools charge an application fee.
Accreditation for Online Environmental Engineering Programs
Attending an accredited school gives you access to financial aid, industry certifications, and employment opportunities that you may not be able to access if you choose an unaccredited institution.
Accreditation comes in two types — institutional and programmatic. Institutional accreditors put their stamp of approval on an entire college or university. Programmatic accreditors only approve a single program.
Environmental engineering programs can hold accreditation from ABET's engineering accreditation commission. Most environmental science programs, however, likely do not qualify for ABET accreditation.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Schools With Online Environmental Engineering Degree Programs
The following schools offer an online bachelor's degree in environmental engineering or a related field. These schools are ordered alphabetically and are not ranked according to the quality of their programs.
- American Public University: Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
- Colorado State University: Bachelor’s In Environmental And Natural Resource Economics
- Florida International University: Bachelor of Arts in Sustainability and the Environment
- Oakland University: Bachelor of Science In Environmental Health And Safety
- Penn State World Campus: Bachelor of Science in Energy and Sustainability Policy
- Purdue Global: Bachelor of Science in Sustainability
- Southern New Hampshire University: Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
- University of Arizona: Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
- University of Phoenix: Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
- Virginia Wesleyan University: Bachelor of Arts In Environmental Studies
Paying for an Environmental Engineering Degree
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the cost for undergraduate education is $14,700 at a public institution and $28,400 at a private, nonprofit institution.
Prices vary according to factors such as which state you live in and whether you receive in-state resident rates. You may also need to pay for living expenses while enrolled in school.
Financial aid can help you cover these costs. The U.S. government provides Pell grants, subsidized student loans, military and veterans benefits, and federal work-study programs. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to find out what federal dollars you may qualify to receive. Private organizations such as the American Geophysical Union also offer scholarships.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Careers and Salaries for Environmental Engineer Graduates
Environmental engineering graduates can work as environmental consultants, directors, water project managers, green building engineers, or environmental health and safety directors. Many of these professionals serve in federal or state agencies, at engineering firms, or at consulting organizations.
Besides a bachelor's degree, environmental engineers may need an online master's in engineering or a professional engineering license. Each state issues its own license and sets its own requirements for achieving licensure.
Most states recognize professional engineering licenses from other states. After licensure, an environmental engineer can earn board certification through the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists.
| Career | Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resources Engineer | $73,250 |
| Senior Environmental Engineer | $100,900 |
| Environmental Health and Safety Director | $117,690 |
| Environmental Consultant | $62,350 |
| Senior Environmental Health and Safety Engineer | $91,650 |
| Energy Auditor | $46,040 |
| Chief Building Engineer | $82,490 |
| Hydrologist | $63,320 |
| Natural Resource Specialist | $57,700 |
Professional Organizations for Environmental Engineers
American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists
A professional organization dedicated to promoting excellence in environmental engineering and science, AAEES offers awards, publications, program support, regional events, and a job board.
American Society of Civil Engineers
While not exclusively focused on environmental engineering, ASCE is a prominent organization for civil engineers, including those specializing in environmental engineering. ASCE provides publications, continuing education, advocacy, and career services.
National Society of Professional Engineers
With 26,000 members, NSPE represents all disciplines of engineering, including environmental engineering. They advocate for the engineering profession and offer online education, a professional engineers conference, and networking opportunities.
Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors
This organization focuses on academic programs in the technology of environment protection. It represents professors and educators in the field of environmental engineering and science. AEESP provides a platform for collaboration, research, and sharing of knowledge among educators.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
FAQ About Becoming an Environmental Engineer Online
Can you get environmental engineering degrees online?
A few schools offer environmental engineering degrees online, and many more offer degrees in environmental science. If you already have a bachelor's degree, you can also find online master's degrees in the discipline.
How long does it take to get a bachelor's in environmental engineering online?
A bachelor's degree often requires 120 credits, which takes about four years to complete. However, students who already hold an associate degree or who have AP, CLEP, or other transferable credits may be able to accelerate the time to graduation. Enrollees who take full-time course loads in the summer may also shorten their time in school.
How much do environmental engineers make?
According to the BLS, environmental engineers earn a median annual wage of $96,820. Engineers who work for the federal government tend to earn the most while state-employed engineers make the least. Other professionals in environmental science can earn between $45,000 and $120,000 a year.
Is environmental engineering a hard degree?
Like many engineering disciplines, environmental engineering requires a strong foundation in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology. Students pursuing this major will encounter complex technical concepts and principles. If you have a natural aptitude for math and science, enjoy solving problems, and like digging into research and field work, you could flourish in an environmental engineering program.
Are online environmental engineering degrees worth it?
Environmental engineers and related professionals can earn much higher than average wages and enjoy challenging and rewarding daily work. Becoming an environmental engineer online can help you balance school with other responsibilities. However, it's crucial to choose an accredited program from a reputable institution and consider your long-term career goals and personal learning style.
