Is an Advanced Degree Necessary to be a Petroleum Engineer?
Although most degree programs specific to petroleum engineering exist at the master’s level, petroleum engineering can be quite rewarding even without an advanced degree. Petroleum engineers enjoy the highest starting salary among the engineering professions (the median in 2006 was $98,380 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), and a graduate with a bachelor’s degree can expect to move into a challenging assignment quickly. Many new engineers advance rapidly through their companies as they gain on-the-job experience. However, petroleum engineers usually seek a master’s degree to qualify for positions in technical or managerial areas. Online master’s degree programs have become popular among working professionals (especially those in remote locations) who have already mastered hands-on skills and are looking to improve their career prospects. A PhD, online or on-campus, is usually the ticket to a research and/or teaching career for a petroleum engineer with solid professiona
