During the admissions process, students are often uncertain about the differences between engineering and engineering technology. The information below is designed to help you select an engineering major that is consistent with your interests and academic preparation.

Successful placement of all of our engineering and engineering technology graduates are a testament to the value of combining a high quality university education with related work experience.  A few of the 2,000+ active co-op employers are Adobe Systems, Bausch & Lomb, Boeing Corporation, Google, Harris Corporation, Honda, IBM, Intel, Johnson & Johnson, Kiewit Construction, Microsoft, NASA, Toyota and Xerox Corporation. Leading employers know that RIT graduates can apply knowledge and technical skills to solve real-world problems.

RIT Formula SAE Racing Team

What is Engineering Technology?

RIT’s engineering technology programs are application focused engineering technology degrees housed in the College of Applied Science and Technology (CAST).  RIT is proud to offer the largest selection of highly ranked engineering technology programs in the country.  These programs combine theoretical coursework heavily reinforced with hands-on laboratory experiences and project work with a focus on the application of engineering principles.  Our faculty members have extensive experience working as engineers, and bring that expertise to the classroom and laboratory. The goal of RIT’s engineering technology programs is to educate our students to enter the workforce in a variety of engineering roles. Tremendous career opportunities exist for these highly technical and well prepared graduates who enter the workforce as design engineers, civil engineers, product development engineers, applications engineers, test engineers, manufacturing engineers, and more.  Additionally, approximately 25% of our graduates pursue advanced degrees.  To learn more about majors in RIT’s School of Engineering Technology, please visit http://www.rit.edu/cast/schoolofet/.

What is Engineering?

In our engineering majors, opportunities abound in the design and development of systems, research and experimental work, supervision of technical projects, and managerial positions in industry. Based in theory, engineering graduates typically work on the design and development of new products, applied research projects, and open-ended design challenges. Engineering degree programs incorporate classroom and laboratory instruction, integrative design experiences and applied research projects to prepare students for industrial work assignments or for advanced study in graduate school. Our Kate Gleason College of Engineering, which was ranked 27th in the world by Business Insider, also offers a number of degrees at the graduate level.  To learn more about programs in the RIT College of Engineering, please visit http://www.rit.edu/kgcoe.

Academic Preparation, Course Work and Licensing

Academic programs in both Engineering and Engineering Technology can lead to exciting professional careers and it is important for you to assess your academic preparation, interests, and career objectives before deciding the program that best fits your needs.

Engineering and Engineering Technology Differences

Graduates of engineering technology programs use their math, science and engineering skills to design products and systems, install and maintain products, providing a wide range of services, such as implementation of the design, testing, calibration and supervision of its operation. The job of an engineer requires more theoretical, scientific and mathematical knowledge. Jobs obtained by graduates of both engineering and engineering technology programs are often similar (American Society for Engineering Education).

(Chart above from the American Society for Mechanical Engineers.)

Additional Resources

• American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)
• National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
• Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
• American Society for Mechanical Engineering (ASME)