Tips for Planning Your Engineering Continuing Education

In the United States, engineering continuing education is a critical component of a well-rounded career. Unless you plan to completely quit your job, it is in your best interests to periodically get your engineering Continuing Education Units (CEU) together. Any good engineering program will allow you to take as many CEU courses as you need for this purpose, and some programs are more comprehensive than others. So what should you look for in an engineering CEU program? There are a few main points that you should always consider, regardless of whether you are taking a traditional course or an online course.  Learn more about this course now.

First, make sure that the professional engineering continuing education courses you are looking at has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Engineering Continuing Education (ACE.) Just because an institution is recognized by the ACE does not mean that it is the best fit for your needs. Many colleges and universities are merely passing-out subjects to get a degree that they already have. These "diploma" or "degree" programs are offered to anyone who approaches them to learn about engineering.  

By contrast, engineering continuing education programs that are accredited by the ACE provide a higher level of quality and should be strongly considered by any engineer who wants to keep his or her job. In the case of online-based CEUs, try to find ones that will allow you to take the CE units whenever you have time; these will be the most beneficial for those working in a professional capacity.

Second, ask about engineering continuing education discounts. If your current employer offers any sort of program through its benefits to its employees, it may be worth checking out to see if the CE programs offered are worthwhile. In particular smaller companies with fewer number of engineering workers may be able to offer CE discounts to help retain qualified personnel. Also, certain employers may be able to provide special discounts for repeat engineering jobs, which can help to save money for all involved.

Finally, research how much an engineering continuing education course will cost. In many cases, these courses are offered at a local community college or vocational/trade school for an insignificant fraction of traditional engineering CEU costs. For some, this is a good choice, because the savings could be used for something else. Some engineers find that they can save more money by taking CEU classes on their own, without the need for a campus placement. In either case, it is important to shop around and compare prices, so that the best price possible is achieved.

Once you've chosen the type of engineering continuing education you prefer, you will need to determine how to pay for it. Check to see if your employer offers any sort of assistance. It may be possible to receive a break on the cost of a CEU course by agreeing to complete part of it on-site. Or look into what your employer provides for assistance. Many companies offer free training and computers as well as other equipment. In some cases, online learning is available as a complement to traditional CEU training.

Finally, it's important to follow the instruction regarding proper engineering continuing education. In some cases, you'll need to take the classes online. Keep track of when you've received CEU credit and what your progress report was. Check the college's catalogs to see what types of resources are available. Finally, contact your department head or engineering manager to ask for suggestions or to obtain more information.
Read this article to get more enlightened on this subject: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineering_education.