Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering is one of the oldest of all engineering fields. In general, mechanical engineers develop, design and supervise the building of machines and tools. However, today’s mechanical engineers have access to state of the art design tools such as three dimensional computer software, simulation programs and other tools that make it possible to develop machines, tools and systems that do everything from designing the tires on your automobile to creating thrill ride roller coasters. In fact, heating and cooling systems fall under mechanical engineering as do the mechanical workings of your Lazy Boy chair, your kitchen step ladder, or the clever toys you might purchase for your children at Christmas.
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Schools offering Online degrees:

Penn Foster Career School offers an online Associate Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology program. Coursework includes technical mathematics, engineering mechanics, mechanical design and tool design. Additionally, students learn how to read and interpret blueprints. Penn Foster is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC).

Ashford University offers a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management/ Engineering Studies program online. Students can customize their degrees to fit their professional goals. General coursework includes decision making, human resource management, communications, ethics, and group behavior. Students that have a concentration in Engineering Studies will possess basic knowledge of Electrical, Civil, and Mechanical Engineering skills. Furthermore, students can transfer up to 12 credits of engineering coursework into their Organizational Management concentration.

University of Delaware offers a Master’s degree in Engineering, Mechanical online.  This is a 30-credit non-thesis master’s program with core coursework in engineering mathematics, fluid mechanics, dynamics, heat transfer, and solid mechanics.  Electives offered include such areas as composite materials, combustion, and materials.

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If you are the type of person who likes to take things apart to figure out how they work, or who is able to think “out of the box” and come up with ways of doing things that the average person wouldn't think of, a career as a mechanical engineer might be just the career path to fit your needs. The following list represents just a few of the many opportunities available for mechanical engineers.

• Automotive design
• Aircraft Design
• Agricultural engineering
• Food and bio process engineering
• Artificial organs and other medical devices
• Child safe toys
• Hydraulics
• Combustion engines
• Air condition and heating
• Plant engineering and maintenance

You don’t have to be terribly creative to become a mechanical engineer, however. Thanks to the availability of online study, you can continue your current job and begin your path toward the field of mechanical engineers within a matter of days.  The schools that are a part of our network are fully accredited with the same mechanical engineering school ranking that you would expect at a traditional program. Yet, you can often complete the degree in less time than you would if you attended a regular college. Furthermore, you can customize your program to meet your own schedule so you can continue working at your regular job.

Mechanical engineering is a very old career field but it is also one of the best paying industrial jobs a person could have. Mechanical engineers just out of school earn an average salary of $40,000 to $60,000 a year. Those with experience can earn six figures, especially in such fields as nuclear power development, space exploration, and other complex fields.

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