Why Choose Santa Clara’s Online Engineering Programs?

A graduate certificate program is an efficient way to build the specialized skills needed to advance in your current career or transition into a new field. For working professionals, however, continuing education can present significant challenges. Demands from work, family, and other responsibilities often make attending traditional, on-campus programs impractical. Additionally, the commitment of several years to earn a full graduate degree may not align with your current goals or schedule. Instead, you can earn a Santa Clara Online graduate engineering certificate through a short-term program that gives you the flexibility to continue your education on a schedule that works for you.

This article will explore the benefits of Santa Clara Online’s engineering programs for working professionals.

Academic Excellence and Industry Relevance

Santa Clara Online programs provide an academically rigorous education centered on the latest industry developments, so they prepare you to work in the most innovative fields, such as robotics and bioengineering. The university is located in the heart of Silicon Valley; our STEM-focused curricula are influenced by local business connections and designed with innovation at the core. The faculty brings hands-on industry expertise to all coursework. If you already have a degree in an area of engineering, an online certificate can help you pivot to a different specialization or take on a leadership role in your current field.

Online Certificate in Applied Bioengineering

The field of bioengineering is experiencing tremendous innovation and growth. Some exciting cutting-edge developments include gene editing and modification to treat genetic diseases and work toward de-extinction. Bioengineers are also making progress with stem cell research to develop specialized cell types for organ regeneration.¹

Santa Clara University’s School of Engineering offers an Online Certificate in Bioengineering program that can be completed in as little as one year. You’ll learn from industry experts as you study core concepts including new technologies in traditional and regenerative medicine. You can also choose from electives that are tailored to your interests, focusing on areas such as biodevice engineering or biomaterials and tissue engineering.

Online Certificate in Robotics and Automation

Engineers in robotics and automation are working on new developments and technologies. Autonomous mobile robots use artificial intelligence (AI) programs, sensors, and computer vision to navigate environments and perform work that’s too hazardous for humans and/or that’s located in places where humans can’t work. Engineers are also integrating AI in robots to facilitate real-time decision-making and task optimization with machine and reinforcement learning. These robots can automate repetitive tasks such as picking inventory and performing quality inspections.²

Santa Clara Online's Certificate in Robotics and Automation program offers a flexible engineering education that’s available in any location. The expertise you’ll gain in the program can help you pivot to a career in robotics from another engineering field or advance to leadership positions within robotics. Courses such as “Engineering and Entrepreneurship” will show you how to turn your designs into a startup. You can also take electives, such as “Computational Neuroscience,” to develop the technical skills you’ll need to create new products.

Built for Working Professionals

Among Santa Clara Online's graduate programs, these certificate options are designed for working professionals who hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering or another related field. The programs are fully online and designed for flexibility. You can complete them in as little as one year while working around your other commitments, such as work and family. They’re specifically designed for part-time learners and people who want to change careers.

Our online students receive both the benefits of on-campus learning and the flexibility of an online program. You will have access to the Sobrato Campus for Discovery and Innovation (SCDI), which houses the School of Engineering. Our expert faculty and student support resources will help you make the most of your time. Connect with your peers, instructors, and Silicon Valley employers to start building relationships that will last throughout your career. Through our top-ranked career center, you can take advantage of one-on-one career coaching, a job-prep kit, and the SCU Bronco Exchange, where you can join a hub for student-alumni and mentor connections.

Jesuit Values and Community

While Santa Clara University draws significant benefits from the technological advancements of Silicon Valley, it stays true to its roots as a Jesuit Catholic institution. With a focus on educating the whole person, Santa Clara challenges you to make a positive impact and create a more just, humane, and sustainable world. In all of your classes, you’ll be expected to understand the ethical and moral implications of what you’re studying.

When you’re working with new technology, you’ll have to grapple with its potential implications and ways in which technology may adversely affect society. Some of the primary ethical issues in biomedical engineering, for example, include balancing technological advancement with the protection of patient safety, ensuring informed consent and protecting data, prioritizing sustainability, and safeguarding intellectual property rights.³

As with all new technologies, advances in robotics and automation can provide benefits and detriments to society. Robotics engineers need to consider issues such as job displacement and economic disparity. As businesses increasingly use robots, automation may take over human jobs and put people out of work. Another concern centers on the privacy violations that can occur with autonomous systems, equipped with sensors and AI, as they spread throughout society.⁴ Before designing new solutions, engineers need to consider all of the potential implications, both good and bad. To address these concerns, ethical leadership and service are at the center of education at Santa Clara University.

To advance your engineering career, choose Santa Clara Online.

An Online Engineering Certificate program from Santa Clara will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to pivot into a new specialty, or advance into leadership roles within your current field. Designed with working professionals in mind, each program offers the flexibility to study entirely online—allowing you to learn at your own pace, from anywhere. Whether you're looking to deepen your technical knowledge or broaden your career options, the programs provide a practical, accessible pathway to growth.

Upon completion, you may also choose to apply your coursework toward a full master’s degree, accelerating your academic and professional journey even further.

Ready to take the next step? Connect with an admissions outreach advisor today to learn how our engineering program can help you achieve your goals. We’re here to answer your questions and guide you through your options.