The Best Biomedical Engineering Online Schools | A Guide to the Top Accredited Degrees

Do you have a passion for making advances in the field of healthcare sciences? Then this article is just for you! Biomedical Engineering is a quickly growing field. These professionals constantly make exciting discoveries that improve the diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes for all kinds of different medical concerns. If you want to enter this exciting field, take a look at this list of biomedical engineering online schools!

What degree do you need to be a Biomedical Engineer?

To be a biomedical engineer, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree in engineering. There’s a good chance, however, that you’ll want to earn additional education to support your specialization in biomedicine. To this end, we have curated a list of some great graduate degrees and certificate programs that just might be the right fit for you!

Article Navigation: Overview—Biomedical Engineering Online Programs | Types of Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Degrees | Graduate Biomedical Engineering Courses | Best Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Programs Online | Top 9 Biomedical Engineering Online Schools—Graduate Programs | Where the Best Biomedical Engineering Online Schools Lead | Find Your Online Biomedical Engineering Degree with GetEducated

Overview—Biomedical Engineering Online Programs

The Structure of a Biomedical Engineering Online Program

Most biomedical engineering online programs can be completed entirely online without any in-person requirements. That said, we did find one doctorate program that requires students to come to campus three times to complete presentations.

Online students pursuing a master’s in biomedical sciences should expect their program to be around 30-36 credit hours and take 1.5-4 years to complete—depending on whether the program is taken on a full-time or part-time basis.

PhD programs will be about twice as long as a master’s program (~90 credits) and a certificate program will be about half as long as a master’s program (~15 credits).

Also, some master’s programs require a thesis, some require a special capstone project, and some allow students to choose whether or not they would like to pursue a thesis or non-thesis route.

Related Article: The 9 Cheapest Online Biomedical Engineering Master’s Programs

Accreditation for an Online Biomedical Engineering Degree

In addition to school-wide accreditation through a national or regional accrediting body, students should also be on the lookout for ABET-accredited engineering online courses. This is considered the gold-standard for all engineering degrees, including for all biomedical engineering online schools.

Earning a degree from an ABET-accredited program is especially necessary if you’d like to pursue licensure as a professional engineer. That licensure process requires at least a bachelor’s degree from an ABET-accredited engineering school.

Types of Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Degrees

Online Biomedical Engineering Certificate

An undergraduate online certificate in biomedical engineering is designed for those who already have a bachelor’s degree in engineering but who want to step into the biomedical industry. These programs are typically around 15 credits, give or take, and can be completed in around a year if taken at a full-time rate.

These are usually not suitable programs for someone who does not already have an undergraduate degree in engineering or a closely related field.

Bachelor’s in Biomedical Engineering Online Schools

This is a perfect route for someone interested in biomedical engineering and who does not already have a degree in engineering. Earning a bachelor’s in biomedical engineering online, or earning a bachelor’s in engineering with a concentration in biomedical engineering, is the necessary first step to a career in this industry.

These programs will usually be a minimum of 120 credits and will contain a selection of general education requirements alongside engineering and biomedical engineering courses.

Graduate Biomedical Engineering Courses

Online Graduate Certificate Biomedical Engineering Program

Similar to an online undergraduate certificate in biomedical engineering, an online graduate certificate is suitable for those who already have a degree in engineering. This degree could be an undergraduate and/ or a master’s degree. Those who pursue this kind of certification are typically engineers who want to enter the biomedical engineering field but who do not want or need to earn a full degree.

These certificate programs are typically around 15 credits and can usually be completed in around a year or so. They usually do not involve any sort of thesis or capstone projects.

Master’s in Biomedical Engineering Online

When considering earning an online master’s in this field, you’ll primarily be looking at two different options: a Master’s of Science in Biomedical Engineering or a Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering. Let’s take a closer look at these two options.

• Master of Science: Often a Master of Science program will be a more research-based degree. Often students will be required to write a thesis, and there is sometimes a higher emphasis on research about the content rather than the subject matter in and of itself. Upon graduation, students will earn the distinction of having an MS in Biomedical Engineering.
• Master of Engineering: This type of biomedical engineering degree is usually more focused on actual engineering rather than research about engineering. These programs may or may not require a thesis—often allowing students to choose whether or not they’d like that experience. These graduates will earn the distinction of M.Eng. in Biomedical Engineering.

While some distinctions exist, when looking at the curriculum requirements for schools with biomedical  engineering programs, you will see a lot of overlap, and some programs will look more or less identical. The lines can get a bit blurred, and both degrees will set students up for success in careers as biomedical engineers.

Post-Master’s Certificate Online Biomedical Engineering

A post-master’s certificate online in biomedical engineering would be a great fit for someone already in their career as an engineer and who has their master’s in an engineering field. By earning this certificate, they can further develop their skills in biomedical engineering and can choose a program that is specifically tailored to the skills they would like to learn. This is not a good option for someone new to the field of engineering.

Online Doctor of Philosophy for Biomedical Engineers

An online Doctor of Philosophy degree in Biomedical Engineering is a terminal degree. This means there is no higher educational distinction that one could earn within this field. These online biomedical engineering courses are not necessary for the vast majority of careers within the industry. Rather, this is for those who want to concentrate on contributing original research to the industry and/or for those who desire to teach biomedical engineering at a collegiate level.

Best Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Programs Online

1. University of Missouri-Columbia

   Degree: Certificate in Clinical Engineering
   Tuition (in-state and out-of-state): $11,072

   This online biomedical engineering program offers the opportunity for students to learn about medical imaging. Students in this 16-credit certificate “will be trained to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the operational evaluation of biomedical and health systems and products.”

   All students will complete four courses on Topics in Biomedical Engineering and then be able to choose from a selection of electives according to their areas of interest. In addition to biomedical imaging and technology knowledge, students will also learn about customer service and business principles in order to prepare them well for their future careers.

   Find Out More:
   Certificate in Clinical Engineering

    

2. University of North Dakota

   Degree: Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering
   Tuition (in-state and out-of-state): $83,326

   The BS in Biomedical Engineering degree from the University of North Dakota is a 128 credit online program that will take most students 4 years to complete. This degree will train students on how to “bridge the gap between engineering and medicine.” Students have the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge medical inventions and learn from real companies that have partnered with the university.

   The degree is comprised of: 21 credits-worth of Biomedical Engineering courses, around 15 credits-worth of Engineering courses, and around 45 credits-worth of Biomedical and Technical elective courses. The total credits earned/required may vary slightly based on specific elective classes chosen.

   Find Out More:
   Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering

    

Top 9 Biomedical Engineering Online Schools—Graduate Programs

For those of you who already have an undergraduate degree in engineering, let’s take a look at some of the best online biomedical engineering master’s programs. These nine schools were chosen based on their affordability as well as the number of online degree options they offer within this field.

1. North Dakota State University

   Degree: Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering; Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering
   Tuition (in-state and out-of-state): $15,848-$31,695

   North Dakota offers three graduate-level online options for biomedical sciences: a thesis-based master’s, a non-thesis based masters, and a PhD. Both master’s programs are 30 credits and have the same core courses. The thesis-based degree requires a 9 credit thesis sequence and fewer electives while the non-thesis option requires a final project and two additional electives.

   The PhD. degree in Biomedical Engineering requires 90 total credits in the areas of Anatomy, Physiology, Engineering, a thesis, an internship, electives, graduate preparation, and seminars. Note that NDSU says these programs are not intended to further careers but rather are intended to provide needed specialized knowledge to qualified professionals.

   Find Out More:
   Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering
   Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering

    

2. University of North Dakota

   Degree: Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering; Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering
   Tuition (in-state and out-of-state): $26,085-$52,171

   The graduate level Biomedical Engineering programs at the University of North Dakota can both be taken entirely online in an asynchronous format. However, for some courses, students may have the option of attending live Zoom classes if desired in order to have more engagement with peers, professors, and an academic advisor.

   The MS degree is a total of 30 credit hours and takes most students around two years to complete. Students have the option to take a thesis or non-thesis route for this degree and can also complete a Bachelor’s/Master’s Dual Degree program.

   The PhD in Biomedical Engineering is a 90 credit program that takes around 3 years to complete. While all courses can be completed online, PhD candidates are required to come to campus at least three times to make presentations.

   Find Out More:
   Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering
   Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering

    

3. Colorado State University

   Degree: Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering; Certificate in Biomaterials & Tissue Engineering
   Tuition (in-state and out-of-state): $11,568-$29,048

   Colorado State also offers biomedical engineering specialties. This is a 30 credit program that can be completed entirely online. The degree consists of 7 credits of core courses, 9 credits of Foundation courses, 11 credits of Depth courses, and 3 credits of Breadth courses. 15 of those credits will be focused specifically on Biomedical Engineering.

   The Certificate in Biomaterials & Tissue Engineering allows students to advance their career with specialized knowledge of biomaterials. It is a 12 credit program that should take around one year to complete. If students choose to go on to pursue a full master’s degree, they can apply their earned certificate credits toward that degree.

   Find Out More:
   Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering
   Certificate in Biomaterials & Tissue Engineering

    

4. Purdue University

   Degree: Interdisciplinary Master of Science in Engineering/Biomedical Engineering; Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering; Graduate Certificate in Regulatory Affairs & Regulatory Science for Medical Devices
   Tuition (in-state and out-of-state): $34,170
   Tuition (out-of-state): $43,770

   Purdue University offers several different options for those pursuing a Biomedical Engineering Master’s  online. Their MS in Engineering is a 30 credit hour program that can be completed entirely online.

   These online biomedical engineering courses are broken up into five different subject areas:

   – Biomedical Engineering
   – Quantitative/Analytical
   – Life Science
   – Regulatory Affairs and Professional Skills
   – Biomedical Engineering Degree Graduate Electives

   Students who are more interested in just focusing on legal and ethical issues within the field can opt to take an online certificate program in Regulatory Affairs. That program is 9 total credits and can be completed entirely online.

   And third, for students who would like to graduate with a general engineering degree while still focusing on biomedical topics, Purdue offers a 100% online 30 credit MS in Engineering degree with a specialization in biomedical engineering.

   Find Out More:
   Interdisciplinary Master of Science in Engineering / Biomedical Engineering
   Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering
   Graduate Certificate in Regulatory Affairs & Regulatory Science for Medical Devices

    

5. University of Maryland-College Park

   Degree: Master of Engineering in Bioengineering; Graduate Certificate in Bioengineering
   Tuition (in-state and out-of-state): $41,820

   The graduate programs at University of Maryland-College Park are entirely online and may be taken on either a full-time or part-time basis. The Master’s of Engineering in Bioengineering degree opens with 30 credits-worth of engineering courses followed by 12 credits of bioengineering electives. There are no thesis or final project requirements for this degree.

   Those interested in a more abbreviated course of study may be interested in the 12 credit graduate Bioengineering Certificate. Students can choose four different courses according to their specific interests within the field.

   Find Out More:
   Master of Engineering in Bioengineering
   Graduate Certificate in Bioengineering

    

6. Johns Hopkins University

   Degree: Master of Science in Applied Biomedical Engineering; Graduate Certificate in ABE; Post-Master’s Certificate in ABE
   Tuition (in-state and out-of-state): $55,800

   Johns Hopkins University offers a 100% online, Master of Science in Engineering degree. The curriculum is very flexible and allows students to really dive into their core interests. Students will first choose two biology/physiology courses and one math course. They will then choose an area of focus—either Biomechanics, Imaging, Medical Devices, Neuroengineering, or Translational Tissue Engineering—and complete two courses from that focus.

   Students desiring a shorter program and who already have a degree in engineering might opt for the Graduate Certificate or Post-Master’s Certificate. These programs are only four to five courses long but will prepare engineers to specialize in biomedical topics.

   Find Out More:
   Master of Science in Applied Biomedical Engineering
   Graduate Certificate in Applied Biomedical Engineering
   Post-Master’s Certificate in Applied Biomedical Engineering

    

7. University of Southern California

   Degree: Master of Science in Medical Devices and Diagnostic Engineering; Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering
   Tuition (in-state and out-of-state): $63,520-$68,368

   For the future biomedical engineer, USC has two promising offerings. For those who specifically want to learn more about biomedical instrumentation, they offer a Master’s in Medical Devices and Diagnostic Engineering. This is a 26-32 credit program with or without a master’s thesis.

   Students who prefer a more broad approach to the field can pursue an MS in Biomedical Engineering. This is a 28-32 credit program that can be completed in less than two years when taken at a full-time pace. Students can again opt for either a thesis or non-thesis route.

   Find Out More:
   Master of Science in Medical Devices & Diagnostic Engineering
   Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering

    

8. Drexel University

   Degree: Master of Science in Biomedicine & Business, MS in Biomedicine & Cell Gene Therapy, MS in Biomedicine & Digital Media, MS in Biomedicine & Entrepreneurship, MS in Biomedicine & Law
   Tuition (in-state and out-of-state): $64,222

   Drexel University is another college that offers several unique biomedical engineering master’s programs  online. Want to venture into business as well as biomedical engineering? Then the MS in Biomedicine & Business may be the ticket. This is a non-thesis program that is totally online, taking around 1.5-3 years to complete.

   Students interested in biomedicine on a more cellular level may enjoy embarking on the 36 credit master’s degree in Biomedicine and Cell Gene Therapy. Other options offered by Drexel include the 36 credit Biomedicine & Digital Media degree, the 36 credit Biomedicine & Entrepreneurship degree, or the 36-38 credit Biomedicine & Law degree. All of these programs can be completed entirely online and on a part-time or full-time basis within 2-4 years.

   Find Out More:
   Master of Science in Biomedicine & Business
   Cell & Gene Therapy
   Digital Media
   Entrepreneurship
   Law

    

9. Case Western Reserve University

   Degree: Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering; Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering
   Tuition (in-state and out-of-state): $78,064

   Case Western Reserve University is proud to be one of the very first biomedical engineering programs. They offer both a biomedical specialization within a broader engineering degree as well as a more focused MS in Biomedical Engineering degree. These programs are both 100% online, composed of 10 classes and 30 credit hours. Full-time students can complete the program in as little as a year and a half.

   The biomedical engineering master’s program (Master of Science) consists of two of each of the following:

   – Biomedical engineering courses
   – Core engineering courses
   – Biomedical engineering specialty courses
   – Translational courses
   – Technical electives

   The MS in Engineering degree with a concentration in biomedical engineering consists of five core courses, four biomedical engineering concentration courses, a capstone course, and an engineering project.

   Find Out More:
   Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering
   Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering

    

Where the Best Biomedical Engineering Online Schools Lead

Biomedical engineers can expect to have a lucrative career. With ever-increasing high demand for new healthcare breakthroughs, this is a growing field that is likely to see at least 5% growth in the coming years—this puts it ahead of the average growth rate for other industries.

Biomedical engineers can also expect a good paycheck for their work and expertise. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for this job is over $100,000 per year.

For those of you wondering about licensing or other steps after graduation, let’s look at the options there. Beyond earning a degree, there are no specific licenses or certifications necessary for biomedical engineers.

That said, many may wish to pursue licensure as a professional engineer. In order to earn this licensure, biomedical engineers must “earn a degree from an accredited school, pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, complete four years of progressive engineering experience, and pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam.”

Find Your Online Biomedical Engineering Degree with GetEducated

Biomedical engineers are world-changers. Though sometimes a bit more “behind the scenes” than nurses or doctors, they are the ones that keep our healthcare system on the cutting-edge of technological advances. They work hard to improve the patient experience and give medical professionals the best possible tools to help patients thrive.

The world will always need more compassionate and skilled biomedical engineers. If you feel an urge to pursue a biomedical engineering degree online, we think you’ll find it to be an exciting career with many opportunities. And at the end of the day, you can feel proud knowing that you directly contributed to the health and welfare of humans. What more could you ask for!

If you want to learn more about this and other online degrees, check out GetEducated to read all about the amazing online options that are available for you!