Degree-hacking for engineers?

[natshar]

Honestly if someone is going for Engineering. I would say just get an actual engineering degree. Not sure why everyone is encouraging TESU biology degree. Many colleges even in California accept CLEP, DSST, and AP credit. You could also do things like math and sci sequence at CC possibly for cheaper and faster if you do accerlated options. There are a few engineering courses in ASU Universal learner as well. BYU independent study has cheap courses and they have some science and math that might work toward engineering. Cali has a lot of cheap CCs maybe take advantage of an articulation agreement 2+2 or 3+1 and combine that with CLEP, DSST, AP, ASU, BYU independent study. By leveraging these options one could maybe save half the time/money as a an engineering degree.Then once you get to the university you only have to do your actual major courses.

The trouble with a lot of masters of engineering degrees is a lot of times they require a Bachelors engineering and if they don't its harder to get in and you might have to take certain pre-reqs to get in. If you want an MSE degree you usually need an ABET BSE first.

And because engineering is so sequential in nature you might save credits/money but not as much time. (unless an articulation agreement is used) Even if you come in with say 60 credits you might still have to take three years to get the degree because of the course sequence. However, because of this one could take a light load than a traditional student. Which could mean time to do an internship and get real world experience and $ while finishing your degree. I know someone who did this method and he turned out alright.

This is what I would I do if I wanted to hack an engineering degree.

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Basically like this:
1. Find CC that accepts CLEP, DSST and find articulation agreement toward 4 Yr school that is also transfer friendly
2. Do CLEP, DSST, ASU UL, BYU idpent study and do the rest at local CC for AA/AS
3. Go To 4 yr school for final part of degree with all gen eds, and free electives done and hopefully most of the math/sci too.
4. If you need more semesters but are light on credit crt hrs (part-time student due to scheduling of courses) then try to get a good internship in the field for real world experience. Engingeering is one of the few majors where interns are basically always paid and usually good pay too.

The CC near me has 3+1 agreement with local Uni (meaning 3yrs at CC and only 1 at CC) for both electrical and mechanical engineering. Both schools accept, CLEP, DSST, and transfer credit. They have their DSST/CLEP and transfer policies easily visible to see. I figured if the right planning they could do the whole degree in only 2.5 yrs which is crazy for an engineering degree.

Also Environmental engineering is tricky to find. Might be better off just getting A Chemical Engineering Major with a minor in Environmental Sci. Would be easier to hack, find schools that offer the major and probably more job options too.

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Edit: I didn't realize he is a HS junior. My plan was somone out of HS. In that case, I'd say do as many CLEP, DSST, APs now. Also maybe consider ASU's intro to engineering course to see if engineering is actually something he'd like to pursue. Since he's still in HS he could have a ton done now with credit by exam. And depending on his math ablility could even start Dual enrollement for math/sci courses. With the right planning it would probably possible to get an engineering degree 2-3 yrs out of HS instead of the usual 4 (or often 5).