Engineering Education

The Graduate Certificate in Engineering Education is designed for individuals seeking to strengthen their expertise in teaching and learning in engineering contexts. Offered jointly by the Colleges of Engineering and Education, the certificate is ideal for working professionals such as community college educators and practicing engineers who teach engineering topics as part of their roles, as well as graduate students at NC State. Students pursuing a traditional academic career in engineering may also complete the certificate to enhance their employability across a wider range of institutions and to better prepare themselves to educate 21st century engineers.

This program is well suited for engineering professionals interested in working in engineering education in academia or industry. This includes engineering graduates seeking tenure track faculty positions who want to strengthen their teaching skills, as well as professionals looking to transition from industry into academia.

Eligibility

Students must meet one of the two requirements for admission into the Engineering Education Graduate Certificate Program:

• Have a degree in an engineering field (or equivalent) from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Possess a BS degree in a non-engineering field AND have taken at least three undergraduate courses in statics/mechanics, electric circuit design, computer programming, introduction to chemical engineering, mechanics of materials, or similar introductory engineering disciplinary courses, and may include courses in the disciplines of textile, paper science, and biological engineering. Courses in applied mathematics and physics, or others, may be used to substitute for this requirement at the discretion of the EED graduate coordinator.

Plan of Study

The Graduate Certificate in Engineering Education consists of 12 credit hours, including 6 hours of engineering requirements and 6 hours of education requirements. The course offerings are structured such that students may tailor it to their individual goals.

Practicing professionals may enroll as distance education students through Engineering Online (EOL). Current, on-campus and EOL, NC State graduate students may enroll, as well.

Career Prospects

The Graduate Certificate in Engineering Education is designed for professionals who want to strengthen their teaching and instructional effectiveness without committing to a full master’s degree program. It supports career growth for engineers, graduate students, and educators who already work in technical environments and need focused preparation in teaching, assessment, and curriculum design. The certificate provides immediately applicable skills for those who teach engineering concepts as part of their role, whether in higher education, industry training, outreach, or applied learning settings.

By building foundational expertise in engineering principles, teaching practices, and learning assessment, the certificate enhances qualifications for roles such as engineering instructor, technical trainer, teaching-focused faculty, curriculum contributor, or education support specialist. It also serves as a valuable credential for professionals transitioning from industry into teaching, strengthening instructional credibility, or preparing for expanded teaching responsibilities while offering a flexible pathway that can stand alone or complement future graduate study.