List of Pre-Engineering Programs – Campus & Online

Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering – the list goes could go on! Engineering is vast, innovative, and interesting field. A Pre-Engineering Program (PREP) has fundamental classes in mathematics, sciences, and engineering, allowing students to earn a dual degree, save money by going to a community college, get into an engineering bachelor degree program, and/or have time to decide which area of engineering they want to study.

Dr Chad Davis

Pre-Engineering Podcast Featuring Dr. Chad Davies

If you’re unsure about this program, we’ve included our episode of the YesCollege Podcast covering Pre-engineering. Our host Scott was able to chat with Dr. Chad Davies who teaches Physics for students in the pre-engineering program at Gordon State College – located in Barnesville, GA. Click here to view this episode’s show notes.

 

Where Can I Find My Pre-Engineering Program?

While you’re listening to the podcast, check out our list of schools with pre-engineering or engineering prep programs in the US. For each school, we provide a few highlights, including program offerings, course breakdown, and accreditation.

Click on the links below to jump to a specific state’s programs. You can also skip ahead to our Quick Facts about pre-engineering, or information about degree types and accreditation.

Online Sponsored Programs

Grantham University
Accredited by DEAC

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“The Associate of Arts in Engineering Management Technology introduces students to the basic principles of both electrical and electronic circuits and business. The curriculum is a first step in preparing students for managerial responsibilities in a technical environment.”
Kansas State Polytechnic
Accredited by HLC

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“Kansas State Polytechnic’s program has a distinct foundation based in basic circuit theory, semiconductor applications, digital systems, microprocessor programming and interfacing. It also provides numerous laboratory experiences focused on applied engineering – this means that students not only learn how to design a system but also how to build it.”

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Alabama

University of North Alabama
Accredited by SACS
The Pre-Engineering Program (PREP) at the University of North Alabama is designed to give students a solid foundation in engineering fundamentals that will allow them to transfer to a school with a four-year engineering degree program. Students in PREP can take classes in areas like computer science, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.

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Arizona

Pima Community College
Accredited by HLC
The Associate of Science in Pre-Engineering degree program at Pima Community College is designed to prepare students to transfer to a college or university so that they may earn their bachelor’s degree in engineering. Students in this degree program can take classes in mechanics, calculus, chemistry, engineering design, and more.

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Arkansas

Lyon College
Accredited by HLC
Lyon College has several pre-engineering programs available to students. The first is a 2-2 program, allowing students to begin their studies at Lyon and earn one bachelor degree at the University of Arkansas. The 3-2 program gives students the opportunity to earn two bachelor degrees, while the 4-2 program allows students to earn both a bachelor and a master’s degree.
North Arkansas College
Accredited by HLC
The Associate of Science in Pre-Engineering degree program is designed for students who plan on continuing their studies in the STEM field. Students in this program can take classes in geometry, calculus, physics, biology, trigonometry, geology, and algebra. NorthArk is partnered with the University of Arkansas, allowing students to transfer and earn their bachelor’s degree in Biomedical or Biological Engineering.

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California

Berkeley offers a one-year intensive pre-engineering program to first year engineering students. Students in this program can gain an understanding of what the calculus, physics, and chemistry coursework is like at Berkeley, and build their resume and portfolio though hands-on professional development activities. Students can also develop their group study, problem solving, and time management skills.

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Colorado

The Pre-Engineering program is competitive, and combines University of Colorado Boulder coursework with academic advising from both the College of Engineering and Applied Science and the University Exploration and Advising Center. Students in this program will take classes in calculus, chemistry, and physics.

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Connecticut

Sacred Heart University
Accredited by NEASC
Sacred Heart University offers a 3-2 engineering program. During the first three years of the program, students can earn either a chemistry or math undergraduate degree. After that, students can transfer to either Columbia or RPI for the remaining two years of the program to earn their mathematics, physics, or engineering-related degree.

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Delaware

The Delaware County Community College offers a two-year preparatory curriculum for students who plan to continue their education at a four-year institution and complete their major in an engineering science field. Students in this program will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the academic and career aspects of various disciplines within engineering or engineering technology, select a particular discipline, and develop an academic plan consistent with the chosen discipline.

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Georgia

Gordon State College
Accredited by SACS
The Associate of Science in Engineering degree program at Gordon State College is designed to prepare students to transfer to a four-year college/university to earn their B.S. in Engineering, or for entry-level, paraprofessional work. Students in this program will take classes in calculus, physics, and engineering.

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Illinois

The Division of General Studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has a Pre-Engineering Program (PREP) that is designed to prepare qualified students for a possible transfer into the College of Engineering. Students in this program can take classes like Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Bioengineering, Civil Engineering, and Mechanics in the Modern World.

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Indiana

Indiana State University
Accredited by HLC
Indiana State University offers a Pre-Engineering Program, which typically consists of two years of coursework that provides the science and mathematics foundation along with a liberal studies component. After completion of two or three years at Indiana State University, students may transfer to an engineering school to complete their professional training.

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Iowa

At Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), students can participate in the Iowa State University’s Engineering Basic Program at DMACC, which consists of 32 credit hours that make up the entire first year regardless of the engineering discipline. Alternatively, students can choose to complete an Associate in Science (AS) degree at DMACC before transferring by completing 64 credit hours.

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Kansas

Grantham University
Accredited by DEAC
“The Associate of Arts in Engineering Management Technology introduces students to the basic principles of both electrical and electronic circuits and business. The curriculum is a first step in preparing students for managerial responsibilities in a technical environment.”
At Kansas City Kansas Community College, students can choose to enroll in a pre-engineering program that provides courses in computer drafting, computer programming, and all the English, mathematics, and science courses generally required in the first two years of an engineering curriculum. If students complete the pre-engineering program, they may transfer to a college of engineering at another university.
Kansas State Polytechnic
Accredited by HLC
“Kansas State Polytechnic’s program has a distinct foundation based in basic circuit theory, semiconductor applications, digital systems, microprocessor programming and interfacing. It also provides numerous laboratory experiences focused on applied engineering – this means that students not only learn how to design a system but also how to build it.”

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Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University
Accredited by SACS
Northern Kentucky University offers a transfer program for students interested in studying engineering. The pre-engineering program provides transfer programs with the College of Engineering at the University of Kentucky and with the Speed Scientific School at the University of Louisville. These programs from NKU to engineering programs generally require at least two years of study at NKU.

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Louisiana

Southeastern Louisiana University offers several pre-engineering concentrations to physics and chemistry majors, allowing them to complete a dual major. Students can follow pre-engineering tracks in biological engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, environmental engineering, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, petroleum engineering, or electrical and computer engineering.

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Maine

SMCC’s Associate of Science in Engineering degree program is designed to provide a foundation in engineering concepts. Students in this program can take classes in subjects like chemistry, programming, engineering, physics, circuitry, and more. SMCC has transfer agreements for 12 different engineering baccalaureate degree programs offered at University of Maine and University of Southern Maine.

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Massachusetts

Framingham State University
Accredited by NEASC
Framingham University offers a freshman and sophomore curriculum leading to a B.S. degree in one of the engineering disciplines at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, or the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Most students will study for two years at Framingham State and complete the program at one of the universities, earning the degree from that institution.

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Michigan

Alma College
Accredited by HLC
Alma College’s 3-2 pre-engineering program focuses on teaching students the fundamentals of applying math and physics to solve problems, and having students think about why those problems need to be addresses and the possible outcomes of their solutions. In this program, students can take liberal arts core classes in addition to engineering-related courses like Physical Computing.
Eastern Michigan University
Accredited by HLC
The pre-engineering program at Eastern Michigan University is designed for students who plan on transferring to a four-year college or university to continue their engineering or other STEM-related studies. Students in this program can take classes like Mechanics and Sound, Electricity and Light, Programming in C++, and Engineering Dynamics.

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Minnesota

Macalester College
Accredited by HLC
The Pre-Engineering program at Macalester College gives students the opportunity to obtain a liberal arts education while also preparing for graduate school, which can lead to a professional career in biomedical, electrical, mechanical, chemical, or materials science engineering. Students in this program can take classes in computer science, physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, and more.

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Mississippi

Millsaps College
Accredited by SACS
Millsaps has partnered with Auburn, Columbia, and Vanderbilt universities to offer dual-degree programs to students. Students can meet with an advisor at Millsaps to tailor their curriculum to an engineering concentration like aerospace, chemical, civil, biological, industrial, mechanical, and metallurgical and mineral engineering.
Students can obtain a pre-engineering education at MUW by taking fundamental liberal arts, mathematics, sciences, and engineering courses for the first two years of their undergraduate education then transfer to a university to earn their engineering baccalaureate degree. MUW also offers bachelor’s degrees in mathematics, chemistry, and biology, that can be a foundation for an engineering graduate degree.

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Missouri

Columbia College
Accredited by HLC
Columbia College’s Associate in Pre-Engineering degree program is designed to prepare students to transfer into a four-year baccalaureate engineering program. Students in this program can take classes in calculus, algebra, geology, chemistry, and biology, in addition to classes like Technical Writing and Java Programming.

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Montana

University of Montana
Accredited by NWCCU
The pre-engineering program at the University of Montana is designed as a 2 + 2 program between the University of Montana and Montana Tech. The program helps students determine if they are interested in engineering and prepares them to transfer to a University with an accredited engineering program.

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Nebraska

Wayne State College
Accredited by HLC
WSC’s pre-engineering program is designed to give students a fundamental understanding of how to use critical thinking and time management skills, solve math and science problems, research, observe and analyze data, and learn about chemical process, materials, experimentation, design, and more. This program is also created for students who wish to continue their studies to earn an engineering undergraduate degree.

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New Hampshire

Great Bay Community College
Accredited by NEASC
The Associate of Science in Engineering degree program is designed to prepare students to transfer to four-year colleges and universities to pursue undergraduate degrees in engineering, mathematics, or applied mathematics. Students in this program can take classes in areas like chemistry, engineering, calculus, and physics. This degree program consists of a minimum of 66 credit hours.

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New Jersey

New Jersey City University
Accredited by MSCHE
New Jersey City University offers a two year program in physics with the opportunity to transfer to an engineering college. Upon successful completing of this program, students can choose to pursue the completion of a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering.

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New York

York College
Accredited by MSCHE
York College offers a program of pre-engineering study, focusing on fundamental coursework in mathematics, physics, and chemistry. This program is designed to prepare students to smoothly transfer from York to engineering departments at other institutions, including the Grove School of Engineering at City College, the SUNY system, and private engineering colleges.

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North Carolina

The University of North Carolina Wilmington offers what’s called the 2+2 program. This program offers students an opportunity to complete the first two years of an undergraduate engineering degree at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), qualify for transfer to the College of Engineering at NC State and finish their education in one of 17 engineering degree programs.

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North Dakota

University of Jamestown
Accredited by HLC
The University of Jamestown has partnered with six other universities located in North Dakota, South Dakota, Missouri, and Montana to offer a 3-2 engineering degree program. In this program, students will earn a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics during the first three years, then transfer to one of the partnered universities to earn their B.S. in Engineering.

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Ohio

College of Wooster
Accredited by HLC
The College of Wooster has partnered with universities in Ohio and Missouri to offer a 3-2 engineering program. In this program, students complete their first three years at Wooster and then transfer to the engineering school after their junior year to complete the engineering program in two years.

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Oklahoma

East Central University
Accredited by HLC
ECU’s pre-engineering program is geared toward students who want to learn about the fundamental principles of engineering at a smaller college. ECU has also partnered with Oklahoma State and the University of Oklahoma so that the pre-engineering credits earned at ECU are easily transferable to those four-year engineering degree programs.
Oklahoma City University
Accredited by HLC
Oklahoma City University has partnered with Washington University in St. Louis for their 3-2 pre-engineering degree program. Students in this program will earn their B.S. in Pre-Engineering Studies at OKCU, and their B.S. in Engineering from WU. Students can also pick concentrations in biomedical, mechanical, electrical, or chemical and environmental engineering.

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Oregon

Oregon State University
Accredited by NWCCU
The College of Engineering at Oregon State University offers several two- and three-year pre-engineering programs. Students can pursue engineering specialties in the pre-engineering program like Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Ecological Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Construction Engineering Management, Computer Science-Computer Systems, Radiation Health Physics, and Energy Systems Engineering.

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Pennsylvania

Dickinson College
Accredited by MSCHE
Dickinson College offers two types of pre-engineering programs. The first allows students to complete a science major, and then enroll in the Master’s in Engineering degree program. The second is a 3:2 option, where students spend three years earning a B.S. degree at Dickinson, and two years at one of the three schools partnered with Dickinson for this program.

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Rhode Island

The Associate of Science in Engineering degree program at CCRI is geared toward students who wish to continue their engineering studies at a four-year university. Students in this program can pick an engineering concentration in biomedical, chemical, chem-biology, civil, computer, electrical, industrial, or ocean.
Providence College
Accredited by NEASC
Providence College offers a 3-2 pre-engineering program that is designed to give students a background in humanities, science, mathematics, in addition to the engineering studies offered at an affiliate university. Students in this program can take classes at Providence College like Thermodynamics, Electronic Devices, Mechanics, and Scientific Programming.

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South Carolina

Anderson University
Accredited by SACS
At Anderson University, the Pre-Engineering major provides students a foundational understanding of Engineering principles in order to prepare them for transfer to Clemson University, where they will complete their Engineering degree. This major is a “3 +” (Dual-Degree) program in association with Clemson.

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Tennessee

Middle Tennessee State University, the Pre-Engineering program requires students to complete two or three years of coursework at MTSU before pursuing additional study at an engineering school such as Tennessee State University, Tennessee Technological University, the University of Memphis, the University of Tennessee, or Vanderbilt University.

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Texas

West Texas A&M University
Accredited by SACS
At West Texas A&M University, students can enroll in a pre-engineering program that requires 60 credit hours and the appropriate prerequisites before selecting a major from the following: Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Engineering Technology, and Environmental Engineering. Students receive the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context.

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Utah

Weber State University
Accredited by NWCCU
The Associate of Pre-Engineering (APE) degree at Weber State University offers students the first two years of a professional engineering curriculum, prior to transferring into an engineering program at other universities in Utah, or throughout the United States. WSU Pre-Engineering program has official transfer agreements with these two schools In Utah. A minimum of 57 credit hours is required as well as a a minimum of 20 hours in residence (for transfer students).

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Vermont

Middlebury College
Accredited by NEASC
Middlebury College offers a dual degree pre-engineering programs that allow students to earn a B.A. degree at Middlebury while pursuing a Bachelor of Engineering at a partnered university. This program is designed to give students a foundation in liberal arts and engineering principles while preparing them to further their studies into graduate school.

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Virginia

Virginia Wesleyan University
Accredited by SACS
At Virginia Wesleyan University, the Pre-Engineering Program offers students the opportunity to earn both a Bachelor of Science degree from VWU and a Master of Civil, Environmental, Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, or Aerospace Engineering from Old Dominion University in five years. In order to be eligible for the program, students must have a 3.0 gpa, both overall and in mathematics and physics courses.

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Washington

University of Washington
Accredited by NWCCU
At the University of Washington, pre-engineering students spend the first one to three years taking required courses in math, chemistry, physics, English composition, and engineering fundamentals. Once students have completed all prerequisite courses, they can apply for admission to one or more engineering programs.

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West Virginia

Marshall University
Accredited by HLC
Marshall University offers a Pre-Engineering program that typically takes about a year for students to complete. To enter the program, students will need a minimum composite ACT score of 19, Math ACT scores of 19-23, SAT composite score of 900, and Math SAT scores 460-550, among other requirements.

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Wisconsin

St. Norbert College
Accredited by HLC
St. Norbert College offers pre-engineering courses for students who want to study at a smaller college and obtain a foundation of liberal arts studies while also learning about the fundamentals of engineering. Students can take pre-engineering courses in areas like physics, chemistry, calculus, and computer science.

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Wyoming

Central Wyoming College
Accredited by HLC
The goal of Central Wyoming College’s Associate of Science in Engineering degree program is to provide a foundation for students who wish to pursue an engineering field like civil, mechanical, electrical, environmental, chemical, or geotechnical. This program consists of a minimum of 60 credit hours.
The Associate of Science in Engineering degree program at Laramie County Community College is designed to provide students with a mathematics and engineering sciences foundation that can be transferred to a four-year engineering degree program. Students in this program must complete a minimum of 64 credit hours.

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Pre-Engineering Program Quick Facts

This is a brief snapshot of what to expect and look forward to from a pre-engineering program.

Quick Facts
Common Pre-Enrollment Requirements: High School Diploma or GED
Common Core Subjects Covered: Calculus, Algebra, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering Design, Computer Science
Non-Classwork Required: None
Expected Time to Complete Associate’s Degree: 2 years
Common Next Steps: Bachelor’s Degree
Most Common Career Fields (bachelor’s degree): Engineering, Engineering Technology
 

Exploring Degree Types and Accreditation

For students to easily transfer classes, many colleges with a PREP have partnered with at least one other university that offers an engineering undergraduate and/or graduate degree program. And several different types of Pre-Engineering Programs are available, including:

  • Non-Degree/Pre-Professional Pre-Engineering Program – select basic mathematics and sciences classes for students interested in a B.S. in Engineering degree program and need pre-engineering courses prior to declaring their major
  • Associate of Science in Engineering/Pre-Engineering – two-year degree program consisting of basic mathematics, sciences, and engineering classes, similar to the first two years of an engineering bachelor degree curriculum
  • Dual Degree Programs – a four- or five-year program leading to two bachelor degrees from the same school, with one degree in engineering and the other in a complementary STEM field, is considered pre-engineering for engineering graduate degree programs
  • 3-2 Programs – also leads to two bachelor degrees, except the student completes a STEM-related degree in three years at the college with the 3-2 program, then earns a B.S. in Engineering in two years from a partnering/affiliate university
  • 4-2 Programs – designed for students to earn a STEM-related bachelor’s degree in four years and an engineering master’s degree in two years at either one college, or two collaborating colleges/universities

Accreditation is important for all degrees, ensuring you receive a qualified education. The accrediting bodies featured in our list are:

  • CIHE – Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
  • DEAC – Distance Education Accrediting Commission
  • HLC – Higher Learning Commission
  • MSA – Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
  • MSCHE – Middle States Commission on Higher Education
  • NEASC – New England Association of Schools and Colleges
  • NCA – North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools
  • NWCCU – Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
  • SACS – Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
  • WSCUC – WASC Senior College and University Commission
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