Dual Degree Engineering Programs

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Dual Degree Engineering Programs

Overview

In addition to exhibiting superior technical skills, today’s successful engineers must effectively communicate their expertise in a global marketplace and understand the potential social, cultural, and economic impact of their work. Centenary’s strong speaking and writing programs embedded in our comprehensive liberal arts curriculum develop the skills needed by today’s engineers.

Each student under this program pursues concentrated studies in the liberal arts and engineering sciences at Centenary followed by study in professional engineering courses at a cooperating university. Upon successful completion of all degree requirements, the student earns a B.A. or B.S. degree from Centenary and the B.S. degree in engineering from the cooperating university. Students interested in the Dual Degree Program in engineering should consult the coordinator of the program as early as possible.

As an alternative to the Dual Degree Program, students may choose to complete the degree at Centenary and pursue either graduate engineering study or a second undergraduate degree in engineering. Some engineering affiliates offer BS/MS programs, which typically can be completed in a total of six years.

 

Cooperating Universities

Students intending to complete the dual degree program must maintain an excellent academic record while at Centenary as our partner schools require at least 3.25 or a 3.0 GPA for transfer.  Students who meet the requirements are guaranteed admission to the program at Washington University. Washington University offers a 3/3 program. Columbia University has recently moved to a competitive admissions process and no longer guarantees admission to the program, but our partnership facilitates the transfer process.

 

Graduate Testimonies 

 

 

“

The three years I spent at Centenary prior to transferring to WashU prepared me for the extensive engineering coursework and work-world in many ways. At Centenary, we get an incredibly strong mathematics, science, and liberal arts background through small class sizes and amazing professors. When I transferred, I had the knowledge to succeed in any field. I could think through and solve intensive math/science problems, write better than most engineers I encounter, and communicate my knowledge to people of all backgrounds. 

– Richard Lopez

 

“

If not for the 3/2 program at Centenary, I would not be where I am today. Being an Engineer is a fascinating and rewarding job, but being an Engineer and having the social and communication skills of a liberal arts student - that's real power. The ability to solve incredibly hard problems means less without the ability to communicate those findings to any audience, and unfortunately, many 4 year engineers lack this skill. 

– Brandon Larson

Pre-Engineering at Centenary FAQs

What does “pre-engineering” mean at Centenary?

Pre-engineering at Centenary is not a four-year engineering major. A traditional engineering major usually includes a large number of specialized engineering courses in areas such as mechanical, civil, electrical, chemical, or biomedical engineering. Centenary’s pre-engineering pathway helps students begin that preparation while studying in a liberal arts environment.

Depending on the student’s goals, pre-engineering may lead to a dual-degree pathway, or completion of a major such as physics followed by engineering-related graduate study, or direct employment. The pathway can be an excellent fit for students who are well-prepared for calculus and interested in applying math and science to real-world problems.

What do “3-2” and “3-3” mean?

These refer to dual-degree engineering programs. In a 3-2 program, a student spends three years at Centenary and then transfers to a partner engineering school for two more years, earning a bachelor’s degree from each institution. A 3-3 program leads to a bachelor’s degree from Centenary, a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the partner school, and a master’s degree in engineering as well.

If a master’s degree is part of your plan, the 3-3 pathway is often a more efficient way to get there, not a slower one. Either way, this is a longer path than a traditional four-year degree: two separate sets of tuition and fees, a transfer process partway through college, and a move to a new campus and city for the final years. Students should plan for this from the start, not discover it partway through.

How serious a commitment is pre-engineering, really?

Pre-engineering is as serious as pre-med preparation, and for similar reasons. The math and science courses build directly on each other, so a shaky start is much harder to recover from here than in many other paths. Because the courses build on one another, students are more likely to succeed if they build strong study habits from the beginning, attending class and office hours and completing all homework.

What courses should pre-engineering students expect to take?

A typical first-year pre-engineering schedule includes calculus, physics, chemistry, computer science, and general education courses. The exact schedule depends on the student's placement, intended major at Centenary, and long-term plan.

Math preparation is very important. Students who begin below Calculus I may still be interested in engineering, but this will likely add time to the pathway and should be discussed with an advisor as early as possible.

Can student-athletes pursue pre-engineering?

Yes. Student-athletes can pursue pre-engineering, and some may be very well suited to the pathway. However, student-athletes should plan especially early, since engineering preparation involves sequential math and science courses, laboratory sections, and demanding weekly workloads that can be harder to reschedule around a competition calendar.

Does starting in pre-engineering guarantee admission to an engineering program later?

No. Engineering programs, transfer pathways, and dual-degree options typically have academic requirements. For instance, the 3-2 program at Case Western Reserve University requires students to maintain a 3.0 GPA in both science and non-science courses, while the 3-3 program at Washington University in St. Louis requires a 3.25 GPA in both. Students must make strong progress in mathematics and science courses and should stay in close contact with advisors to understand GPA expectations, course requirements, deadlines, and transfer or partner-school policies.

The most common challenge is sustaining the required academic performance through the Centenary math and science sequence. Students who do so are generally well positioned for the next stage.

What should families know about cost and timeline?

Students and families should understand that dual-degree engineering pathways usually require more than four years of study and may involve tuition and fees at more than one institution. Costs, scholarships, and financial-aid policies vary by partner school and can change over time.

The most important planning issue is the timeline. Students who begin behind in mathematics, delay required science courses, or change direction after the first year may need additional semesters.

What if I start in pre-engineering but decide it’s not the right fit?

That is common and can be a healthy outcome. Many students are drawn to engineering because they like problem-solving, technology, design, math, or science. Those interests can lead to many strong academic paths, including physics, mathematics, computer science, chemistry, geology, or environmental science. The goal of early advising is to help you find the strongest academic path for you and your goals, not necessarily to keep you in a pre-engineering pathway at all costs.

Contact Info

Dr. David Kordahl

Assistant Professor of Physics

318.869.5217 dkordahl@centenary.edu​​

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