Please note that international students must be residing in the US with appropriate visas to be eligible for the Engineering distance programs. Select the program names below to learn more about each degree option.
The online bachelor's in Manufacturing Systems Engineering prepares students for a successful career in manufacturing systems with practical applications ranging from cyber-physical systems to manufacturing processes. Manufacturing roles have become a major staple in our economy, and graduates of this program will have the skills to make substantial contributions in areas including design, productivity and quality control in a wide range of industrial entities.
Engineering is an exciting, expanding field. A bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering is considered one of the broadest and most versatile engineering degrees available.
BSME students pursue careers in many industries, such as automotive, power generation, bioengineering, textiles, robotics, manufacturing, research and development, pulp and paper, steel and materials, petrochemical and aerospace. Also, BSME graduates may pursue post-graduate learning in business, law, advanced engineering, medicine, dentistry and other areas.
Most of the major coursework is available online with the exception of lab courses, which are conducted face to face on weekends in Gadsden or Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Other courses not currently available online can be completed at a community college or university near you.
Develop your research skills, design a specialty and maximize your career opportunities by earning your MSME. The master's degree is a 30-credit-hour program offered entirely online. One of our newest programs, it features highly flexible course options that allow you to focus your education on the areas of mechanical engineering of the most interest to you. This program does not require a thesis or campus visits.
Since 1993, the MSAEM program has been offered through distance learning. Long a favorite of military students, this program now graduates military and corporate engineers alike. The MSAEM consists of 30 credit hours offered entirely online. This program does not require a thesis or campus visits.
One of the first engineering PhDs to be offered online, the Doctor of Philosophy in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics provides students an opportunity to earn a research-based degree and propose, complete and defend an approved dissertation on a research topic that contributes to the field of aerospace engineering or engineering science and mechanics.
The program is designed for engineering professionals with five or more years of experience in their field who appreciate the use of technology and seek ownership of innovative ideas through research and experience.
Like a traditional program, you will work closely with your faculty adviser, but your coursework will be completed online. Students are required to attend campus for various responsibilities only once a semester.
The online PhD in Mechanical Engineering gives you the opportunity to earn an accredited, premier doctoral degree in your field while continuing to build your engineering career. You can enhance your knowledge of mechanical engineering and contribute to research in the field through this innovative online option.
The program is primarily designed for engineering professionals who want to pursue doctoral study while working full time. Through this affordable online program, you can earn a research-based degree that allows you to propose, complete and defend an approved dissertation on a research topic that contributes to the field of mechanical engineering.
UA Online students benefit from the distance learning tuition rate, passing along the savings of technology-enabled education, and it’s the same rate regardless of state residency! You’re also eligible for financial aid and scholarships to help pay for your education. Many of our programs are top ranked by U.S. News & World Report and others, so you get a world-class education with a tuition rate that fits your budget.
To help you get started, we offer tuition grant programs that cover the cost of your first class.
The Build on Bama tuition grant is for UA alumni or anyone who has been referred by a graduate of one of our online programs.
The Bama Link tuition grant is for faculty, staff and students of Alabama community colleges or other select out-of-state community colleges.
The Back to Bama tuition grant is for former UA students who left UA more than a year ago without graduating.
For each grant, you must be in your first semester of one of our online programs and apply for the grant by the deadline, in addition to meeting the grant-specific requirements.
We also offer scholarships through UA specifically reserved for distance students. For more information about all of these opportunities, please visit our scholarships and grants page.
A degree earned online from UA is identical to one earned on our main campus! The online format allows you the flexibility to meet life's other demands while you complete your degree. Graduates of our online programs are invited to participate in the same commencement ceremonies as main campus students.
Join a community of legends and legends-in-the-making when you earn a degree from The University of Alabama. With graduates around the globe, the University has a robust alumni network who will greet you with that familiar "Roll Tide" when they find out you're part of the family.
The University of Alabama is a Top 10 Tier 1 Research Institution Military Friendly® School and unlimited Yellow Ribbon school. We are proud to have served thousands of active military, reservists, veterans and their families from every branch, and we look forward to continuing to partner with this esteemed group as they seek to advance their education.
Our students have access to 24/7 tech support. We recognize that many of our students are balancing the demands of career and family alongside their schoolwork. We want you to feel confident in your ability to complete coursework and submit assignments anytime, around your busy schedule.
Throughout your experience with UA Online, you will have access to personalized support — from an admissions counselor who’s an expert on the application process to a student success coach who will encourage you and connect you to resources to help you succeed.
Ready to talk to us? Fill out the information request form at the top of this page, and one of our admissions counselors will reach out to you to schedule a chat!
With few exceptions, our online degree programs are available in a work-at-your-own-pace format. Within each course, assignment deadlines vary, but you get to decide how many courses you want to take each semester to complete your degree. Undergraduate degree program completion times depend on how many hours you transfer in, but most students finish in three to six years. Most of our master’s programs can be completed in one to three years and doctoral programs in three to six years, according to your desired pace.