A PhD in Engineering is a degree designed for students who wish to take their career and educational pursuits to the highest level. With a PhD in Engineering, you’ll be prepared to assume top leadership roles and increase your competitive edge as a researcher, educator, or scholar in your area of engineering expertise.

Finding an online program for your desired concentration can be difficult. Many schools now offer alternatives to their traditional programs, but each school can differ greatly in selection of specializations and programs. Several schools now specialize in online programs, including:

• Capella University
• Grand Canyon University
• Northcentral University
• University of the Rockies
• Walden University

My Degree and What It’s Good For

A PhD in Engineering will prepare you for a number of different roles, depending on what area of engineering you want to pursue. There are many different areas of focus, and if you want to earn your doctorate, you’ll need to determine what concentration most interests you. A few popular choices include:

• Aerospace Engineering
• Bioengineering
• Biomedical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Science
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Nuclear Engineering

My Earning Potential

With a PhD in Engineering, you’ll likely see an increase in earning potential. The more education you have, the bigger your paycheck. However, it’s hard to pinpoint exact earnings, but thankfully The Bureau of Labor Statistics offers wage reports for a variety of careers. According to the BLS, a chemical engineer earned a mean annual wage of $102,270 and an aerospace engineer earned $104,810 in May 2011.

Engineering Doctoral Degree Programs

• Northcentral University: PhD in Management of Engineering and Technology