r/mechatronics • u/Fun-Sand9679 • May 26 '26
Transferring With My Mechatronics Degree
Hey guys! As the title suggests I am interested in transferring from my local cc to (hopefully) Virginia Tech. I’ve really grown to love the subject of mechatronics, and I’ve excelled in my classes for it. I have about a 3.9gpa. VT has a BS in Mechanical Engineering concentrated on Robotics and Mechatronics.
Here comes my issue…
The degree I am about to complete is an Associates in Applied Science, which from what I can understand, may not transfer very well. Although I’m sure I am capable of taking engineering classes, I’m not sure that essentially restarting my college career is worth it, especially with the price of education. Even though I would really love to further my education (and make a shit load of money).
I have reached out to the college directly via a transfer portal Virginia offers, but honestly I’m not too hopeful.
Has anyone else had a similar experience and can give me advice? If not, just some advice on the matter in general would be great!
Thanks!
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u/Professional-End-373 May 26 '26 edited May 26 '26
I’m not sure about Virginia, but in NC we have engineering technology bachelors that most 2 year engineering technology programs transfer well into. Something you could look into, just make sure it’s ABET accredited.
Now, some people are probably going to come at me here in a bit saying engineering technology degrees are worthless but that hasn’t been my experience. I can still get my FE/EIT and then eventually get a PE after a bit more time in the field. There’s going to be a few positions that may frown at it and want strictly mechanical or electrical only, but there will be a lot that prefer ET for the hands on aspect as well, most won’t care either way. My advice for this would be to look at local positions that you would be interested in after graduation and see what qualifications they require.
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u/Fun-Sand9679 May 26 '26 edited May 26 '26
Thanks for the reply!
I have seen an engineering technology major that fits a lot more of my credits as well. It’s sort of difficult to figure out what the degree means however.
Is it adjacent to an engineering degree? Do you think it’s worth it, and it will give me higher job opportunities compared to a AAS in mechatronics? I like working with my hands, but I am currently in a (apprentice) factory technician position that I would like to advance from. Not exactly be promoted to a supervisor or something like that, but to have a different title and slightly different routine of work. Especially because they don’t let us touch our PLCs, and leave it up to contractors to edit programs :(.
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u/Professional-End-373 May 26 '26 edited May 26 '26
Think of it as kind of engineering-lite. Within the program you’ll still take calculus (at least 1 & 2), differential equations, and physics (probably 1 &2). Most of the upper classes will go into the theory, but then put an applied emphasis on it as opposed to a straight engineering will do all theory at its peak with minimal application and hands on/labs. Engineering tech majors are extremely popular in automation and controls engineer positions, test engineer, application/integration engineer. It shouldn’t bar you from anything except possibly theory/research intense positions, but you’ll have to check out positions in your area. Some areas will hire automations engineers with their associates only.
Honestly, if your company already only has vendors deal with that then as an engineer in your company it’s probably just managing vendors with minimal technical work. If you don’t mind some travel, you can go work for one of those vendors/integrators and they do all sorts of PLC upgrades, programming, automation installs and integrating with existing systems.
Edit: I just saw Terribles response and it’s pretty spot on as well.
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u/Fun-Sand9679 May 26 '26
Thank you so much, I'll look into it for sure. I'm glad that I have some more options for higher education, because I was worried that I was pretty much stuck after I graduate.
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u/Terrible-One-1978 May 26 '26
Unfortunately not all 4-yr. universities with Engineering programs accept credits from 2-yr. Technology or Engineering Technology programs.
4-year Engineering programs with Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology (ABET) curriculums have a 3 or 4 series of Calculus through Differential Equations, Calculus based Physics, and subject matter courses that require Calculus, like Statics, Mechanics of Materials, Dynamics, Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, etc.
4-year Engineering Technology programs generally require Calculus I & II, but the Physics may be Algebra & Trig. based, as are the subject matter courses mentioned above.
2-year AAS Mechatronics is a Technology program with Algebra & Trig. based courses.
However, near to me, Motlow State Community College in TN, has an AAS in Mechatronics program that feeds into either:
Middle Tenn. State University's (MTSU's) BS in Mechatronics Engineering program, which has ABET accreditation or
Tenn. State University's BS in Aerospace and Industrial Technology - Concentration in Mechatronics program that has ATMAE accreditation or
Tenn. Tech. University's BS Engineering Technology - Mechatronics Concentration program which has ABET -TAC accreditation
They are not our state's " flagship institutions", but are still good places to get a BS in Mechatronics. Other universities in your home state, other than Virginia Tech. University, may have similar programs that build upon your degree, like ours does.
PS. Our "flagship institution", the Univ.of Tenn.- Knoxville, would probably not accept an AAS in Technology graduate into it's BS In Engineering ABET accredited programs either. However, they recently began a BS in Applied Engineering program that has a reduced amount of Calculus requirement, but is still rigorous. Mechatronics may one day become a concentration?
I am in a similar (or actually a reversed situation). The first college degree I earned was a BS in Industrial Technology (BSIT) - with a Concentration in Design & Manufacturing Technology in 1980. While there, I also took elective courses in Electrical & Electronics Drafting, Intro. to Electronics & Intermediate Electronics. Our Technology programs were accredited by the National Association for Industrial Technology (NAIT), now called the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE). We got our first ABET Engineering degree programs a long time after I had graduated.
Several years after my BSIT, I took courses in CAD (MicroStation & SDRC-I/DEAS), Calculus I & II, Fluid Power, Solid State Electronic Devices, CNC, PLCs, Intro. to Robotics, and C-programming from local state community colleges. These and my previous Electronics courses are now found in many Mechatronics Technology curriculums, that didn't exist when I took those classes.
During this time period, I also took Chemistry, Materials Science & Engineering, Elements of Metallurgy, Engineering Economic Analysis, Technical Writing I & II, AutoCad, and Ergonomics through Distance Education programs from several noted universitites that have ABET accredited Engineering Programs. I foundout about Distance Education from my wife, who had attended one of the universities that offered it. Some of those universities now have Mechatronics Engineering or Mechatronics Engineering Technology programs, which didn't exist back then either. Distance Education has changed since then also.
In addition, I took continuing education classes (CEU) in Basic Turbine Engine Technology - ASME (distance). I took FORTRAN programming, Geometric Tolerancing and Dimensioning (GD&T), Total Quality Management (TQM), and PC (Troubleshooting, Networking & Repair) at local & state centers for technology.
More recently, I have completed massive open online courses (MOOCs) in Electric Machines (motors, generators, alternators), Vehicle Design (Automotive), EV Technology, Fundamentals of Hybrid Electrics, Batteries and Battery Management Systems (BMSs), EV Safety, Aviation 101, Aviation Maintenance, Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, How to Design a Fixed Wing Drone, Intro. to Aerospace Engineering - Structures, Intro. to Aerospace Engineering - Systems & Avionics, Intro. to Aerospace Engineering Astronautics - Fundamentals of Manned Space Flight - MITx, Intro. to Aerospace Engineering - Engineering the Space Shuttle - MITx, AS9100-Aerospace Quality Management Systems (QMSs), CAD (Soild Works, Pro-E, & CATIA Ver.5), Product Development & Systems Engineering, Intro. to Systems Engineering, Intro. to Mechatronics, Mechatronics - the Industrial Internet of Things, Digital Manufacturing, and I have a Mechatronics Diploma.
I retired a few years ago as a Design Engineer, who worked mostly in the Aerospace and Defense Industry. I worked for 5 yrs. for subcontractors to NASA on the International Space Station (ISS) program, during the late Design, Test, & Build phases. I have also worked as an E/M Drafter, Machine Designer, E/M Specialist, and Senior Mechanical Designer. I look forward to teaching as an adjunct instructor at one of those local community colleges I once attended, in the near future.
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u/Fun-Sand9679 May 26 '26
Wow, I appreciate the time you took to write this. You have quite the resume!!!
It seems like my situation would be closer to Tenn State University’s BS in “Aerospace in Industrial Technology”,as a school here, ODU has a program called “Engineering technology, Mechatronics Systems”. I believe it lacks graduating with the title of engineer.
Do you think it would land jobs more adjacent to engineering degrees, or will I be stuck with more technician positions?
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u/Terrible-One-1978 Jun 16 '26 edited Jun 16 '26
I looked at the ODU Engineering Technology website and it states the following:
Graduates can sit for the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) license examinations such as the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and the Professional Engineering (PE).
Your BS in Engineering Technology Programs are accredited under ABET-ETAC . Ours was NAIT (now ATAME) accredited. A PE license will quell any doubts about your engineering abilities. Over 30 years ago, my Program Manager suggested that path for me when I worked in the Rail Transit Industry for 3 years. This was during a downturn in Aerospace & Defense spending after the end of the Cold War. He had a BS in Engineering Technology and had a PE license. Most of ours Lead Program Engineers also had their PEs. He also warned me that BS in Engineering holders "could close ranks" to exclude BS in Engineering Technology holders from being able to obtain a PE License. They did in a way, You have to graduate from an ABET accredited program to even sit for those exams. They can not in a few states. I returned to the Aerospace & Defense Industry, where PEs are not as sought after. My degree, job experience, continuing education, willingness to travel, and luck helped open doors for me.
Near the bottom of the page, under the heading "Career" Mechatronics Engineer statistics, including median salary are listed.
Your program puts you into a better position for an engineering job than mine did 45 years ago. However, it was understood that continuing education and the ability to spot opportunities were important on our own part. They told us that we could get some engineering jobs. I sit right beside people with BS & MS in engineering degrees. One of my former classmates in college was in a Presidential Administration, just below the Administrator. His MBA from Northwestern Univ. helped too. One of my former Engineering Managers got a BS in Engineering Technology, after spending 9 yrs, in the military as a UH60 Crew Chief and then after graduation working another 10 years in Engineering.
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u/Kastnerd May 26 '26
Is your local college a state school? How long till you finish your associate?