Engineering, Combined Program

About the Combined Engineering Program

• Three or four years at Arcadia University
• Two years at Columbia University, University of Pittsburgh, or Washington University
• Opportunities to study abroad at some of the top universities around the world

Arcadia University offers a combined five-year (3+2) Engineering program in affiliation with Columbia University in New York, University of Pittsburgh, and Washington University in Saint Louis. These programs blend a strong foundation in the liberal arts and sciences with an intensive engineering curriculum. Students are prepared for careers in industry, or for graduate work in engineering, mathematics, or the physical sciences. At the conclusion of the program students may take the licensure examination for professional engineers.

Students spend either three or four years at Arcadia University, taking basic courses in mathematics and the physical sciences. Upon recommendation of the program adviser, students then apply to their chosen college(s) of engineering for two years of engineering study.

Upon completion of their first year of study at their chosen college of engineering, students are awarded the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree from Arcadia University. After an additional year they receive the Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or Applied Science from the college of engineering of the university.

Under the combined plan, a student may elect to pursue any one of the following programs:

At Columbia University:

• Applied Mathematics
• Applied Physics
• Biomedical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Computer Science
• Earth and Environmental Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Engineering Mechanics
• Engineering and Management Systems
• Industrial Engineering and Operations Research
• Materials Science and Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering

At University of Pittsburgh

• Bioengineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil & Environmental Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Engineering Science - Nanotechnology
• Industrial Engineering
• Materials Science & Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering

At Washington University:

• Biochemical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Computer Science
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Systems Science and Engineering

Options

Spending three years at Arcadia and two years at a college of engineering offers the fastest path to engineering qualification. Students accepted into an engineering program after three years at Arcadia are also exempted from some of the Undergraduate Curriculum requirements (see below).

Some students prefer to spend a fourth year at Arcadia in order to fulfill major requirements at a more leisurely pace. Depending on entering credentials and on the major chosen, this option generally allows students to avoid overloads or summer study. Because this path entails additional Undergraduate Curriculum requirements, students considering this option should consult with the engineering adviser to construct an academic plan with distributes both major and Undergraduate Curriculum requirements over the four years.

It is generally possible, by spending three years at the chosen college of engineering, to earn a Master’s Degree in Engineering. Such students thus earn three degrees in six years: a bachelor’s degree from Arcadia as well as both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the engineering college.

Requirements for the Combined Program in Engineering

Additional Requirements

Additional Requirements for Guaranteed Admission

To Columbia University

1. A grade point average of 3.30 or higher in both the pre-requisite GPA and Overall GPA.
2. Each course in the common required curriculum must be taken at Arcadia University, and a grade of B or higher received the first time the course is taken.
3. Three letters of recommendation: one each from the program adviser, a mathematics professor, and a science professor, the two professors having taught the student in his second year or later.

To University of Pittsburgh

1. A grade point average of 3.00 or higher in both the pre-requisite GPA and Overall GPA. (3.50 GPA for Bioengineering)
2. Only grades of C or better will be eligible for transfer.
3. At least two years of full-time study at Arcadia University.
4. A favorable recommendation from the program adviser.

To Washington University

1. A grade point average of 3.25 or higher in both the pre-requisite GPA and Overall GPA.
2. Only grades of C or better will be eligible for transfer.
3. At least two years of full time study at Arcadia University.
4. Two letters of recommendation, including one from the program adviser.