Online Master’s In Biomedical Engineering Programs

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers Top Degrees

Bioengineers and biomedical engineers develop hardware and software for professionals in medical settings, such as hospitals. Biomedical engineering professionals can specialize in areas such as biological waste treatment systems and implants.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), bioengineers and biomedical engineers earn a median salary of $91,410 per year. The BLS projects employment for these professionals to increase 5% from 2019-2029, faster than the average for all occupations. Although many entry-level jobs in the field require only a bachelor's degree, a master's in biomedical engineering can qualify holders for leadership positions.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Biomedical Engineering Programs

What does a biomedical engineer do?

The responsibilities of bioengineers and biomedical engineers vary based on job title. Some professionals design medical devices, while others provide technical support for physicians and nurses.

Is biomedical engineering a good career?

Benefits of positions in the field include specialization options in areas such as biochemical, biomaterials, and rehabilitation engineering. Careers in biomedical engineering also offer above-average median salaries.

Do biomedical engineers go to med school?

Although bioengineers and biomedical engineers work in the healthcare field, they do not need a medical degree to attain entry-level or management-level positions.

What is the current salary of a biomedical engineer?

According to BLS data, bioengineers and biomedical engineers earn a median salary of $91,410 per year. This figure exceeds the median salary for all occupations by more than $50,000.

Why Get a Degree in Biomedical Engineering?

In addition to offering high median salaries, biomedical engineering careers allow professionals to advance the medical profession and improve patient outcomes. Most biomedical engineering master's degree programs feature specialization options in areas such as biomechanics, materials, and tissues. A master's in biomedical engineering can qualify graduates for management-level positions, such as researcher and biomedical engineering director.

Learners researching online biomedical engineering programs can consider both in-state and out-of-state programs. This flexibility allows students to choose the program that best aligns with their career goals. Additionally, many distance programs feature asynchronous courses, which do not require degree-seekers to attend class at specific times.

How Much Does a Biomedical Engineering Degree Cost?

The cost of earning a master's degree depends on factors including the student's residency status. Public schools typically charge in-state learners a discounted tuition rate. However, some public institutions offer all online students in-state tuition rates. Private universities usually charge the highest tuition rates.

While researching master's in biomedical engineering programs, learners should consider whether student services, such as career and advising services, require additional fees. Degree-seekers should also budget for technology fees, which schools may charge to maintain their technology infrastructure and networks.

Institutions may waive campus and facility fees for distance learners. Students should consult a financial aid advisor to identify course fees for each prospective master's in biomedical engineering program. Universities may also post this information online.

How Much Do Biomedical Engineering Majors Make?

Bioengineers and biomedical engineers' salaries depend on factors such as employer and position. The BLS reports that navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing companies offer the highest median salaries for professionals in the field.

The top 10% of biomedical engineers earn a median salary of $148,210 per year, almost four times the annual median salary for all U.S. workers.

Geographic location also influences earning potential. Bioengineers and biomedical engineers in Minnesota, Massachusetts, and New Jersey earn the highest salaries, according to BLS data. Employers in metropolitan areas such as Chicago, Boston, and Minneapolis employ the largest number of these engineers per capita.

Professionals can increase their salary potential by gaining professional experience and earning advanced degrees. Some bioengineers and biomedical engineers pursue an MD or become dentists. Professionals can also pursue an MBA to gain the business and management skills necessary for administrative positions.

Courses in Biomedical Engineering

The top online master's in biomedical engineering programs emphasize the skills that graduates need to work alongside healthcare professionals. Degree-seekers also prepare to contribute to one of the field's many specialization areas. Online courses typically feature the same requirements as on-campus classes, and online learners may collaborate virtually with on-campus students.

The following sample curriculum highlights one major requirement and two elective courses many universities include in biomedical engineering programs. Prospective degree-seekers should examine each program's curriculum before applying to ensure that course offerings align with their career goals. Learners can contact admissions counselors for details about program requirements.

• Managing Business Operations

  Biomedical engineers need leadership and managerial skills to help businesses and organizations succeed. This course introduces degree-seekers to managerial best practices and proven strategies for process management, product development, and product innovation. This introductory course does not typically require prerequisites.

• Molecular Biotechniques

  Learners in this class explore how to use the latest technology to capture images of cells. Course topics include high-precision optics, spatial and temporal resolution, and real-time imaging. Students also analyze the latest journal articles detailing relevant technologies. Professionals use this technology to develop gene therapy and other treatments. Prerequisites usually include coursework in molecular genetics.

• Musculoskeletal Tissue Mechanics

  Students in this course analyze the relationships between bones, muscles, tendons, and other biological structures at the macro and micro levels. Learners discuss the experiments that early bioengineers performed to determine mechanics fundamentals. Degree-seekers also examine how exercise affects these structures and overall health. To enroll in this class, students must typically have completed an introductory course in solid mechanics.

Certifications and Licensure for Biomedical Engineering

Although bioengineers and biomechanical engineers do not need a license to practice, professionals can improve their employability by earning professional certifications. Typical certification requirements include joining an organization, attaining work experience, and passing an exam. To qualify for renewal, certified professionals must often take continuing education courses or contribute to the biomedical engineering field.

Scholarships for Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical engineering master's degree-seekers can avoid student debt by applying for scholarships. Many scholarship programs, such as those below, accept applications from learners throughout the United States. The following awards feature application deadlines in 2021. Students should review each scholarship's requirements before applying.

Online Master's in Biomedical Engineering Programs