Is it possible to earn an electrical or computer engineering degree while remaining on active duty as an enlisted soldier?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 22:11:25 -0400

My research into this question has led me to believe that outside of a long term assignment to a single area and a very permissive duty environment, an engineering degree is nearly impossible to earn while on active status. I haven't found any distance learning options or base college programs that offer full computer or electrical engineering degrees. Has anyone else found a way to study for and earn an electrical or computer engineering degree while on duty?

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Mar 15 at 2015 5:13 PM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 17:13:48 -0400

Anything is possible, the real problem with those particular degrees is that there is usually a significant amount of lab time associated with them. This means finding a school with the resources to finish filling in the gaps to meet certification. The education counselors at your facility are probably best suited to help you line up the combination of classes you will need with the schools in the area capable of working with you.
Most of the places I have been are pretty good about providing on base classes that answer the needs of several contracted schools in the area as well as many online education systems. The problem becomes one of time and mission requirements.

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Mar 24 at 2015 11:07 AM

SSG Ed Mikus — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 11:07:12 -0400

Anything you really want you can achieve, I earned a BS and MS in Cyber Security online, there was a lot of distance lab and extra cost for me, but it was worth it all.

Response by Maj Mike Sciales made Aug 14 at 2015 6:33 PM

Maj Mike Sciales — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 18:33:26 -0400

Take that long term assignment near a school you'd like to attend. Check within Corps of Engineering -- they might have some kind of academic furlough program. I think they always need engineers. Or you could take a tour in the National Guard and do OTS along the way.

Response by PVT David Hix made Jul 11 at 2017 5:45 AM

PVT David Hix — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 05:45:05 -0400

Any of the major online University's are willing to work with you and your schedule. But be careful who you choose and make sure they are nationally accredited.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2017 10:13 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Oct 2017 22:13:18 -0400

I'm late to the party but Arizona State University, a public and fully accredited university, offers online degrees in the computer and engineering fields. I took online classes from Oregon State University and it was really to fit things around a busy schedule. However if you are seeking an engineering degree there is a different accreditation process for online degrees than traditional campus degrees. The transcript might look the same until you apply for a professional license. They may reject you since you are a non traditional student. Plus many engineers seeking a license need to intern through an approved ABET engineering degree program and have a set number of years under a licensed engineer/company. If you don't care about getting a license for a stamp to be a professional engineer than I guess it doesn't matter.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2017 2:12 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Dec 2017 02:12:22 -0500

Yes. Excelsior College offers an ABET accredited degree in electrical engineering almost exclusively online.