Are you fascinated by the intersection of biology, medicine, and engineering? Do you want to be at the forefront of cutting-edge medical technologies that have the potential to impact human health and advance the biological sciences? If so, then earning a biomedical engineering certificate online might be just what you need to jumpstart your career! In this article, we’ll explore the exciting opportunities that await you, and why pursuing a certificate in this field could be the best decision you make for your future. So, let’s dive in!
Types of Online Biomedical Engineering Certificates
Biomedical engineering is a diverse field with many specialized areas of focus. As a result, there are several types of certificates that you can pursue to gain expertise in a particular subfield. In this section, we’ll explore some of the different types of certificates available and what each one entails.
Post-Master’s Certificate in Applied Biomedical Engineering
An Applied Biomedical Engineering Graduate Certificate delivers a focused power-punch of knowledge and skills in just one year. Besides intensive coursework covering biomechanics, biomaterials, and medical device design, expect hands-on projects to keep you at the forefront of the field. Gain sought-after credentials for exciting careers in research, development, or manufacturing of life-saving technologies, from prosthetics to implants. This certificate paves the way for doctoral studies or directly impacts your job prospects.
GetEducated's Picks
- Johns Hopkins University Post-Master's Certificate in Applied Biomedical Engineering
Biomaterials / Tissue Engineering Online Certificate
Once you complete your bioengineering degree online, dive deeper into the world of biomaterials with this graduate certificate. Imagine crafting safe, biocompatible materials for hip replacements, heart valves, and beyond – the hidden heroes of modern medicine. You’ll take classes in molecular and cellular biology to unlock the secrets of growing replacement tissues. Whether it involves skin or organs, this knowledge can offer hope to countless patients. Master advanced concepts, hone practical skills in designing medical materials and tissues, and become a pioneer in regenerative medicine. Open to graduates with B.S. degrees in engineering, life sciences, or natural sciences, it requires at least a 3.0 GPA. Enroll today and shape the future of healthcare!
GetEducated's Picks
- Colorado State University Graduate Certificate in Biomaterials & Tissue Engineering
- Johns Hopkins University Graduate Certificate in Applied Biomedical Engineering
Clinical Engineering Online Certificate
If you’re passionate about technology and healthcare, then bypass the full master’s degree and fast-track your impact with a Clinical Engineering Graduate Certificate. Imagine intense biomedical engineering classes equipping you to design life-saving devices, troubleshoot critical equipment in hospitals, and collaborate with medical teams – all in just a year. Master biomaterials, navigate medical regulations, and hone your project management skills. Flexible online options and part-time/full-time choices make it the perfect bridge to a lucrative future in this high-growth field.
Medical Plastics & Design/Manufacturing Online Certificate
Fresh off your undergraduate online biomedical engineering degree? Craft the future of healthcare with this intensive, online certificate in medical plastics design and manufacturing. Imagine sculpting biocompatible plastics into life-saving devices, from heart valves to artificial joints. Master the science behind these vital materials, learn cutting-edge design principles and manufacturing techniques, and become a pioneer in this in-demand field.
5 Best Schools for Online Biomedical Engineering Certificates
University of Colorado Boulder
Accreditation: HLC
Tuition (In-State & Out-of-State): $8,469
Tuition (In-State & Out-of-State): $18,810The University of Colorado Boulder offers a competitive biomedical engineering certificate online. With over 36,000 students, it’s a great choice for prospective students who want to earn a certificate in this field. What’s more, you can earn this certificate entirely online through UCB’s virtual platform.
If you’re taking classes full-time, you should be able to complete this 9-credit hour biomedical engineering course within one semester. The University of Colorado Boulder offers classes all year round and is currently accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). After the completion of this biomedical engineering graduate certificate online, you will gain access to jobs such as becoming a biomaterial developer, a manufacturing engineer, or an independent consultant.
Find Out More:
Graduate Certificate in Biomedical EngineeringJohns Hopkins University
Accreditation: MSCHE
Tuition (In-State & Out-of-State): $20,360-$25,450The prestigious Johns Hopkins University offers both the Post-Master’s Certificate in Applied Biomedical Engineering and the Graduate Applied Biomedical Engineering Certificate online. For the Post-Master’s Certificate in Applied Biomedical Engineering, you are required to complete five courses to earn the certificate, and for the Graduate Certificate in Applied Biomedical Engineering, you need to finish four courses to get the certificate. Although these certificates must be completed within five years, you can complete them in as quickly as 1-2 semesters.
Tuition at Johns Hopkins University is calculated per course. For graduate-level courses, it costs $6,290 per course, but dean assistance can reduce the cost by about 20%. You can begin either online biomedical engineering course in the spring, summer, and fall semesters of each year.
Find Out More:
Post-Master's Certificate in Applied Biomedical Engineering
Graduate Certificate in Applied Biomedical EngineeringColorado State University
Accreditation: HLC
Tuition (In-State & Out-of-State): $11,568Colorado State University is one of the best biomedical engineering online schools, and it offers a Graduate Certificate in Biomaterials & Tissue Engineering. Ideal candidates have completed an online bioengineering degree. In similar fashion to many of the degrees listed, you can expect to complete this program’s 4 courses within a year.
You can complete this certificate fully online, and if you want to start this certificate in the spring semester, you must submit your application by November 15. This biomedical engineering certificate program online is both flexible and affordable, so it’s a good fit for working students, or those with other commitments. Grads with this certificate can expect to enjoy a lucrative salary and positive job outlook. Finally, Colorado State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Find Out More:
Graduate Certificate in Biomaterials & Tissue EngineeringUniversity of Missouri-Columbia
Accreditation: HLC
Tuition (In-State & Out-of-State): $7,061
Tuition (Out-of-State): $17,161The University of Missouri-Columbia, founded on February 11, 1839, is another one of the finest biomedical engineering online schools, and it offers the Certificate in Clinical Engineering. This certificate is for those who enjoy working on and learning how to repair and maintain medical equipment. This certificate has 12 credits, with four biomedical engineering courses you must complete. It will take about 9–12 months to earn this certificate.
You can complete this biomedical engineering certificate program online, and you will be taught technical skills as well as customer-focused skills. Enrollment for this certificate starts on March 7th. After completing this certificate, you can get a job as a clinical service engineer. As of 2021, the University of Missouri-Columbia has 31,401 students, a graduation rate of 72.5%, and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Find Out More:
Certificate in Clinical EngineeringUniversity of Massachusetts-Lowell
Accreditation: NECHE
Tuition (In-State & Out-of-State): $7,020The University of Massachusetts-Lowell offers a certificate in Medical Plastics Design & Manufacturing. This certificate is for students who’ve completed their Bachelor in Bioengineering, or a closely related field and are looking for a job in the field of designing and creating medical plastics. Comprised of four online graduate courses, you can expect to complete this certificate within nine months.
You can complete this certificate fully online in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. After earning this certificate, you will have the skills to design, develop, and manufacture medical devices. Then, you’ll have the opportunity to pursue a career in either plastics manufacturers, medical sales, or design firms. The University of Massachusetts-Lowell is one of the best-rated research universities in the U.S., and it is currently accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
Find Out More:
Graduate Certificate in Medical Plastics Design & Manufacturing
What is the Difference Between Online Biomedical Engineering Certificates and Certification?
What’s the difference between certificates and certifications? Even though a lot of people use the terms certificate and certification interchangeably, they’re not the same. Colleges award certificates after you complete an academic program in a specialized area. Professional organizations, on the other hand, offer certifications which demonstrate special skills or proficiencies. To earn a certification, you must complete a professional training program and/or pass an exam.
The main goal of getting a certificate is to gain specialized knowledge. However, the main goal of getting a certification is to get an opportunity for increased pay as well as a chance for future potential promotions. In this sense, a certificate for biomedical engineering and biomedical engineering certification online follow the same rules as regular certificates and certifications. You can earn biomedical engineering certificates from colleges and universities. In contrast, you can gain biomedical engineering certification from professional organizations.
One main difference between certificates and certifications is that while certificates won’t require renewals, certifications do. The renewal time for certifications can range from every year to every few years, depending on the issuing organization. You will also have to keep up with earning continuing education points after you receive the certification.
Here’s a list of certifications that are currently available:
Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET)
This certification is offered by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). It shows that you are competent at maintaining and fixing medical equipment. To earn this certification, you need to have an associate degree in a biomedical equipment technology program. You must also have two years of experience and pass the certification exam.
Certified Clinical Engineer (CCE)
This certification is provided by the American College of Clinical Engineering (ACCE), and shows that you’re an expert in repairing and maintaining medical devices. To get this certification, you must be licensed as a Professional Engineer (PE), have three or more years of experience in the field, and pass the certification test.
Certified Radiology Equipment Specialist (CRES)
This certification is given by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). It shows that you can work with radiological equipment, such as X-rays, MRIs, and CTs. If you want to get this certification, you must have an associate degree in a biomedical equipment technology program and two years of work experience. You must also pass the certification assessment.
Best Accreditation for Online Biomedical Engineering Certificate Programs
Biomedical engineering programs online receive accreditation from the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. ABET is an organization that accredits colleges and universities in the fields of applied science, computing, and engineering. ABET has accredited over 895 different colleges and universities in 40 different countries with over 4,500 different programs, such as programs for a bioengineering degree online. Currently, biomedical engineers do not require or have state licensing for their field.
However, some biomedical engineers will still choose to apply for a license as professional engineers (PE), which is a general engineering license. To apply for a license as a PE, you must first have earned a bachelor’s degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program. After that, you will need to have at least four years of work experience in the engineering field. And lastly, you will have to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam as well as the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam.
Online BME Certificate Admission Requirements
Admission requirements for earning an online BME certificate are as follows: First, you must meet all the general admission requirements for entering graduate-level programs and hold a degree in either engineering or a related field. You will also need to complete the following required core courses:
chemistry
signals and systems
calculus-based physics
advanced mathematics
If you haven’t yet completed the prerequisite classes above, you may still enroll under provisional status and receive full admission status after you’ve finished all the prerequisite classes. And lastly, you will also have to submit an official college transcript.
Is Getting an Online Biomedical Engineering Certificate Worth It?
Getting an online BME certificate is most certainly worth it. You will be able to gain access to jobs like the following:
Biomedical Engineers
Biomedical engineers are responsible for designing and creating medical devices, software, and computer systems. They work in locations such as manufacturing and research facilities. The median pay for biomedical engineers is $99,550 as of 2022. There are 19,700 jobs in this field, with an expected job outlook of 5% as of 2022, which is slightly faster than the average.
Clinical Engineer
Clinical engineers make around $111,738 per year. These pros are in charge of managing and checking for safety issues with medical equipment. The top-paying companies for clinical engineers are Abbott, MIM Software, and Johnson & Johnson.
Research Engineer
Research engineers have the duty of collecting and analyzing data using software, as well as reporting the data to the relevant parties. They make around $153,152 per year. The highest-paying companies for these jobs are Google, Meta, and Apple.
Get Started Today!
In conclusion, if you’re looking to become a biomedical engineer, then enrolling in a biomedical engineering certificate online is a great place to start. You will be able to gain the knowledge to design and create medical equipment for hospitals that will help future patients. You’ll also get the chance to learn different skills that are vital to advancing healthcare technologies. So, what are you waiting for? Start today by enrolling in a biomedical engineering certificate and starting your journey to becoming one of the best professional biomedical engineers out there!