Petroleum Engineering Schools & Degree Programs

If you are interested in becoming a petroleum engineer, you can expect a bright future. Petroleum engineering is one of the fastest-growing fields in engineering. It is also the highest-paying specialty in engineering. Petroleum engineers enjoy many job opportunities, benefits, very high pay and the option to travel and work in many foreign countries. However, these opportunities only exist for those with a solid education in petroleum engineering. Petroleum engineering schools give students the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills they need to become successful in this field. Students learn to use specialized equipment in order to drill for natural resources such as gas and oil. They also learn processes for extracting these resources safely, cheaply and efficiently.

Petroleum engineering schools offer degrees at the associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctorate levels. A bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement for almost all engineering jobs. An associate degree may help you get your foot in the door, but petroleum engineering is becoming very popular and therefore highly competitive. Those with the most education and experience will have the best opportunities. Some petroleum engineering schools offer master's degrees. Although master's degrees generally increase your annual salary by $10,000 a year, they are generally not required unless you plan to teach. There are even fewer petroleum engineering schools that offer doctorate degrees. These are geared more toward students who are interested in research and theory.

Despite the growing popularity of petroleum engineering, there are still very few petroleum engineering schools in the United States. Most are in oil-producing states, such as Texas and Oklahoma, so you may need to expand your search in order to find a suitable school. Petroleum engineering schools offer different programs and activities. Some are close to active oil fields. Some schools are smaller than others. Some may have larger class sizes. Some may not offer many specialties, but instead focus on placement programs to help students find a job after graduation. Some petroleum engineering schools may offer limited degree programs, such as only undergraduate degrees or only master's degrees. Some are private schools, while most are public. Each has different areas of emphasis. Some have higher tuition rates than others. These are things you will discover when you begin your search for petroleum engineering schools.

Before applying for petroleum engineering schools, be sure to do well on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). A high level of importance is placed on this test. Petroleum engineering students are known for having the highest SAT scores in the nation, so this puts a lot of pressure on you to perform well. The average is around 1250, so aim for this score of higher. High SAT scores also qualify you for scholarship opportunities, with monetary amounts ranging from $500 to $3,000 annually. Many schools place an emphasis on scholarships, with some even offering three-quarters or full scholarships. Also of high importance to petroleum engineering schools are strong skills with computers, math and science. You should also be able to show off your creativity and communication skills. Therefore, be prepared to spend some time writing a compelling personal essay as part of your college application.

Many petroleum engineering schools require students to perform an internship before graduation. Many also encourage students to work a summer job in the industry. These jobs pay $2,000 to $4,000 a month, depending on the student's experience and abilities. Most petroleum engineering schools take a proactive approach to helping students find positions in the petroleum engineering field. Engineering departments, faculty, career centers and those in the industry all work together to help students find suitable employment, whether it is just for the summer or a full-time permanent position.