Your Guide To Going Back to School for Engineering

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Read time 5 minutes

Published on Aug 21, 2024

Do you love figuring out how things work and learning something new every day? Are you eager to find a career that encourages creativity and allows you to put your problem-solving skills to good use? You might consider pursuing a career in engineering.

Even if you've already entered the workforce in a different field altogether, getting an engineering degree after having a bachelor's degree isn't necessarily out of reach. Going back to school for engineering can be a viable option regardless of your current academic background.

Is Going Back to School for Engineering Right for You?

Before you start making any plans, it’s a good idea to make sure that a career change to engineering is the right choice for you. It can be helpful to explore what engineers typically do on a daily basis.

The job responsibilities of an engineer will depend predominantly on their area of specialization (e.g., biomedical engineering or mechanical engineering), but in general, engineers may:¹

Evaluate various challenges and develop innovative solutions
Develop project designs and prototypes using sophisticated software
Consult with team members and other stakeholders
Oversee projects to ensure they are implemented according to project specifications
Develop technical reports

Certain types of people may thrive better than others in these types of environments. These may include individuals who:¹

Enjoy tackling new challenges and figuring out how things work
Want to make a positive difference in society
Are creative and innovative, and embrace out-of-the-box thinking
Are proficient with technology, such as computer software
Wouldn’t mind traveling on occasion to oversee the implementation of a project

If the above descriptors apply to you, then perhaps pivoting to the engineering field could be the right choice for your career.

How To Make a Career Change to Engineering Without a Degree

Plenty of people enter the workforce right after high school. If that describes you and you’ve now decided that a college education is necessary to pursue your career dreams, you should know that it’s never too late to go back to school. Without any prior college education, you’ll need to apply to a bachelor’s degree in engineering.

Even at the baccalaureate level, many engineering degree programs are focused on a particular branch of engineering, such as biomedical, robotics, aerospace or software engineering. Before applying, you’ll need to do some research on the available specializations and decide which appeals to you the most.

If you do have some prior college credits in another field but not a completed degree, you may be able to transfer those credits to your engineering program. Fill out the form on this page to speak with a university counselor to help you learn more about transferring credits.

Getting an Engineering Degree After Earning a Bachelor’s

What if you already have a completed bachelor's degree, but it's in a field other than engineering? Getting an engineering degree after having a bachelor's in a different field is certainly doable, and there are two main options to consider.

First, you might decide to enroll as an undergraduate student and earn another bachelor’s degree. This would require a lot more work, but it may be a good option if your first degree was in a non-STEM field and you feel you need more exposure to the science and math curriculum.

The second option is to enroll in a bridge program, followed by a master’s degree in engineering. A bridge program, such as the Bridge to Master of Science in Software Engineering program at GCU can also be a great choice for students who have a bachelor’s degree in a non-STEM field.

A bridge program allows you the opportunity to explore science, math and engineering curriculum with the goal of preparing for a master’s degree. Think of it like a preparatory boot camp for earning a degree in engineering.

After completing the bridge program (which does not confer an actual degree), you’ll be ready to apply to a master’s degree in engineering program, such as the Master of Science in Software Engineering. Even without an engineering bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree will teach you how to tackle engineering challenges by applying scientific principles.

What if you already have a bachelor's degree in engineering and you simply want to deepen your skill set and position yourself for possible career advancement? A master's degree in engineering can be a good choice. You might also consider earning a master's degree if you're currently working as an engineer but want to switch to a different engineering specialization, such as biomedical engineering to software engineering.

Preparing To Go Back to School for Engineering

Now that you’ve made your decision, it’s time to get ready. Thorough preparation is particularly important if you’ve been out of school for quite a while, as getting back into “academic mode” can require a mental adjustment. Here are a few tips that can help you prepare:

Brush Up on Academics

No matter the specialization, engineers generally need to have a strong command of science and mathematics. You can prepare to go back to school for engineering by brushing up on science and math competencies.² This is especially important if your bachelor’s degree was in a non-STEM field or if you’ve never been exposed to college-level academics before.

Look for online tutorials and classes you can take in subjects such as:²

Statistics
Calculus
Physics
Chemistry

Apply to Relevant Internships

Internships aren’t just for people currently in high school and college. They can also be a great way to explore a new field before going back to school. Consider applying to internships that are relevant to the engineering specializations you’re interested in.

During an internship, you’ll be able to gain some hands-on experience and get an inside look at what daily life is like in the field. It’s also an opportunity to work on building a professional network.

Find a Mentor in the Field

It can be challenging to pivot into a new field, especially if you’ve already been in the workforce for a few years. You may find it helpful to turn to a mentor for industry-specific guidance and general socio-emotional support.

If you do complete an internship, you may be able to find a mentor at that organization. Otherwise, after you’ve enrolled in college, you can take the initiative to ask your school’s student services department about the available resources.

Research Opportunities in the Engineering Field

Before going back to school for engineering, you’ll need to figure out exactly which specialization appeals to you. You should plan on spending plenty of time exploring the specializations and types of jobs that are available within those subfields.

Some examples of engineering specializations include:

Biomedical engineering
Industrial engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering technology
Aerospace engineering
Robotics engineering
Software engineering
Electrical engineering

Prepare Your College Application

Once you know which engineering degree program is right for you, you can work on putting together your college application. Research the school's requirements carefully, and don't hesitate to reach out to a university counselor if you have any questions. At GCU, our university counselors provide friendly, personalized assistance to our future students as they navigate each step of the admissions process.

Pursue Your Advanced Degree With a Focus in Engineering at GCU

Once you decide on getting an engineering degree after having a bachelor's, bring your passion for engineering to Grand Canyon University. The College of Engineering and Technology at GCU offers a wide range of engineering degree programs at the undergraduate level, as well as a bridge program and master’s degree in software engineering.

Engineer a Future of Innovation and Impact

Imagine a career where your problem-solving skills and creativity lead to innovations that can help shape the world.

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