Online Quality Engineering Degrees and Colleges

Learn about online quality engineering degree programs and schools, and get tips on selecting the right program for you. Find out about classes offered along with career options after graduation.

<h3 id="section---WhatYouNeedToKnow">What You Need to Know</h3> <p>In a quality engineering program, you'll study the fundamental models of total quality management and control methodology used in engineering and manufacturing products. Statistics and technical communication are other key areas you may study in a degree program. Programs can be found online at the undergraduate and graduate levels. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td><b>Courses</b></td><td> Six Sigma methods, supplier quality management, auditing, process capability assessment, systems failure analysis</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Programs</b></td><td>Bachelor's, master's and graduate certificate programs are offered online</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Online</b></td><td> Coursework may be offered fully online; exams may need to be proctored</td></tr> </table><h3 id="section---WhereCanIFindOnlinePrograms">Where Can I Find Online Programs?</h3> <p>Quality engineering degrees are awarded at the bachelor's and master's degree levels. You can also obtain a graduate certificate in this area. While both undergraduate and graduate degree programs in quality engineering can be found online, it is most common for master's degree studies in this subject to be available in this format. Some schools that offer online degree and graduate certificate programs in quality engineering include: </p> <ul><li>Purdue Global (master's) </li><li>Grace College (bachelor's) </li><li>Southern Illinois University (master's) </li><li>Bowling Green State University (bachelor's) </li><li>Tarleton State University (master's) </li><li>Arizona State University (master's) </li><li>California State University - Dominguez Hills (bachelor's and graduate certificate) </li></ul><h3 id="section---WhatCoursesCanIExpectToTake">What Courses Can I Expect to Take?</h3> <p>In a bachelor's degree program, you will take courses focusing on Six Sigma systems, quality systems, information technology management and reliability. In a master's degree program, you can expect to take such courses as: </p> <ul><li>Quality assurance </li><li>Project management </li><li>Product design </li><li>Lean manufacturing </li><li>Reliability analysis </li></ul><h3 id="section---HowDoOnlineProgramsWork">How Do Online Programs Work?</h3> <p>Online programs are sometimes presented through live Web conferencing. E-mail discussions, video lectures or textbooks might be used to prepare for exams and assignments. You may be asked to work together with classmates on group projects. Some schools require proctored exams to ensure testing truthfulness. Your proctor may need to be a member of the American Society of Quality (ASQ), which is the national association for <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Online_Courses_in_Quality_Control_Answers_to_Your_Questions.html">quality control</a> experts. </p> <p>In addition to possessing a computer with Internet access, you may need to download specific browser plug-ins, like Adobe Acrobat or Windows Media Player. Programs might also call for a computer with a CD or DVD drive and a sound card with speakers. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatCareersCanIPursue">What Careers Can I Pursue?</h3> <p>Once you graduate from either a degree or certificate program, you might pursue a career in designing, developing, manufacturing or maintaining specific products. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), engineering technicians made a median annual salary of $58,000, as of May 2021. In 2021, the BLS reported that 66,300 civil engineering technicians, nearly 64,200 industrial engineering technicians and more than 41,700 mechanical engineering technicians were employed in the U.S. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatIsTheJobOutlookInQualityEngineering">What Is the Job Outlook in Quality Engineering?</h3> <p>There is an expected increase in globalization of product development to reduce costs. Meaning, if you plan to work within the civil, industrial and environmental fields, you may see your job prospects increase due to an on-site presence needed to oversee work. Overall, engineering technicians in the civil, mechanical and industrial engineering fields will see less than a 3 percent increase in job openings over the 2019-2029 period.</p>