If you want to become an automotive engineer, you may be wondering how many years of college you’ll need. In this article, we’ll go over the different degrees and certifications that will qualify you as an automotive engineer, and then give you some insight into how many years you’ll need to earn them all.
Required Time for an Undergraduate Degree
Becoming an automotive engineer requires a four-year undergraduate degree. This includes courses in math, science, engineering, humanities and social sciences. Graduates are prepared to enter the workforce as design engineers or be promoted within their engineering careers into several roles in other sectors. To be a professional engineer, one must become licensed by passing the Professional Engineering exam administered by one’s state Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors. This is accomplished by obtaining two years of post-degree supervised experience in the United States (or five years outside the US) working under supervision by an eligible registered engineer and passage of both parts I and II of the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam.
Required Classes
Typically, the more years you complete in college, the better your chances are for finding employment. If you’re looking to become an automotive engineer, this is even more important because that’s really what the degree prepares you for. In order to pursue a career as an automotive engineer, you’ll need to take classes such as engineering mechanics and thermodynamics along with a variety of different math courses. These subjects lay the foundation for becoming a fully qualified automotive engineer.
What Is the Job Like?
Being an automotive engineer can take many forms, from working on race cars to designing a transportation system for the future. It might be more formal, like being employed by an automotive manufacturer or automaker, or more hands-on, like restoring vintage vehicles in your garage. A lot will depend on the industry you work in and the goals you have for your career. With so many options, it’s good to know how much education is necessary for one field over another. The major factor that determines what level of education is necessary is your goal for your career- whether you want to be hands-on with cars or higher up on the company ladder.
Education/Work Experience Vs. Degrees
When aspiring to be an automotive engineer, your education and work experience are important. However, it is also important to have a degree or certification for the profession. These three certifications allow you to become a certified automotive engineer: – Automotive Technology Instructor (ATI) – National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) – Automotive Engineers Education Foundation (AEF) Some universities offer degrees in engineering like mechanical or civil engineering where you can study automobile technology with other subjects such as math, science, and design.
How Much Do They Earn?
The U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS) Occupational Handbook cites that the median annual wage for automotive engineers was $95,720 in May 2016. The top 10% earned more than $160,820 and the bottom 10% earned less than $59,110 per year. According to the handbook, many factors can affect these numbers, such as whether they work full-time or part-time; are self-employed or an employee; and what industry they are employed in.
Who Are the Pros & Cons for Becoming An Automotive Engineer?
There are a few pros and cons to becoming an automotive engineer. One pro is that you get the chance to make cool things like cars. However, another con is that you must spend a lot of time in school which means it will take longer for you to start making money. It all comes down to whether it is worth the price you pay for getting your degree as an automotive engineer, but either way it will be hard work and dedication that pays off in the end.
Conclusion
Many colleges and universities offer two-year programs in automotive engineering. These are designed for people who already have degrees in other subjects but want to become automotive engineers. If you’re looking for a four-year degree, then the first two years should be equivalent to an undergraduate program in mechanical engineering or electrical engineering, while the final two years will involve taking courses focused on vehicle design and systems. Alternatively, you could enrol on a part-time basis. For example, a typical four-year degree could take up 12 units per semester or 16 units per year, with full-time students typically taking five classes per semester or six classes per year.