Engineering, Combined Program

About the Program

• Three or four years at Arcadia University
• Two years at one of our engineering affiliates
• Opportunities to study abroad at some of the top universities around the world

Arcadia University offers a combined five-year (3+2) or six year (4+2) Engineering program in affiliation with University of Pittsburgh, and Washington University in Saint Louis. Students are also encouraged to apply to Columbia University, although students will not receive guaranteed admission, they are still eligible to apply. 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. As part of the program, students will 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 the recommendation of the program adviser, students then apply to their chosen college(s) of engineering for two years of engineering study.

Once a student has completed all degree requirements and has earned a sufficient number of credits, they are eligible to receive their Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree from Arcadia University at the appropriate commencement ceremony. After successful completion of the program, they will also receive their Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or Applied Science from one of the affiliated engineering universities. 

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 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 less rigorous 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 which 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

Additional Requirements

Admission Requirements

Below are additional requirements for admission.

To Columbia University*

1. A grade point average of 3.30 or higher in both the prerequisite 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.

*Students entering Arcadia University after the 2017-2018 academic year are no longer eligible for guaranteed admission, but are still encouraged to apply under general admission.

To University of Pittsburgh*

1. A grade point average of 3.00 or higher in both the prerequisite 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.

*Guaranteed admission is granted as long as all above criteria are met and space is available.

To Washington University

1. A grade point average of 3.25 or higher in both the prerequisite 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.