Willamette's 3+2 Engineering Programs

What is the 3+2 Engineering Program?

If you're passionate about engineering and value a well-rounded liberal arts education, consider Willamette University's 3+2 engineering program. With this dual-degree program, you can obtain both a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degree from Willamette University and a BS degree in engineering.

As one of the few colleges with a 3+2 engineering program, students benefit from both a strong liberal arts foundation and specialized engineering coursework. After a few years of undergraduate studies at Willamette, you'll have the opportunity to transfer to one of our partner schools. The program allows you to choose from a wide range of engineering disciplines, including civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and environmental engineering.

Upon completing the program, students will graduate with both an undergraduate degree from Willamette and an engineering degree from a partner school. Review the program options to learn more about ways to study engineering through a liberal arts school.

• 3+2 Engineering Program with Columbia or Washington University in St. Louis

  Spend three years at Willamette and two years at one of the two Affiliated Engineering Schools. At the end of the five years, receive both a BA or BS from Willamette and a BS from the Affiliated Engineering School. Students are eligible for federal financial aid throughout the full five years.

  A BS in engineering is a professional degree, and fields like Civil Engineering that require the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology certification mandate students to obtain it.

• 3+3 Accelerated Master's Track at Washington University in St. Louis

  After three years at Willamette, students directly enter both an engineering master's program and an undergraduate engineering program at Washington University. Students obtain a BA or BS from Willamette and receive both BS and MS engineering degrees from Washington University. Washington University classifies these students as graduate students for all three years. While this renders students ineligible for Federal Financial Aid, all admitted students benefit from discounted tuition, with reductions of 50% in the first year, 55% in the second year, and 60% in the third year.

• 4+2 Undergraduate Program with Columbia or Washington University in St. Louis

  Spend four years at Willamette and two years at Columbia or Washington University in St. Louis. At the end of six years, receive both a BA or BS from Willamette and a BS from the Affiliated Engineering School.

  Holding a bachelor's degree makes you ineligible for Federal Financial Aid. Even if you can secure your Willamette BA/BS after four years, it's recommended to wait until completing your second BS to receive it.

  A BS in engineering is a professional degree, and fields like Civil Engineering that require the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology certification mandate students to obtain it.

• 4+2 Graduate Program with Columbia

  The 4-2 Master of Science Program provides the opportunity for students holding a BA or BS from Willamette in mathematics, physics, chemistry, or certain other physical sciences to receive an MS degree after two years of study at Columbia in the following fields of engineering and applied science: biomedical, chemical, civil, computer science, Earth and environmental, electrical, industrial, and mechanical engineering; applied physics; applied mathematics; engineering mechanics; operations research; and materials science.

  Each applicant must present evidence of an outstanding undergraduate record, including exceptional performance in physics and mathematics through differential equations. The program of study, designed individually in consultation with a faculty adviser, will integrate undergraduate work with the chosen field of engineering or applied science. In the first year, the program will primarily include basic undergraduate courses, while the second year will focus on graduate courses in the selected field.

  Graduates of the 4-2 Master of Science program may not be eligible to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam if their undergraduate degree is not in engineering or a related field. Students should also check with individual state boards to determine eligibility requirements for employment. Engineering fields requiring ABET certification, such as Civil Engineering, mandate a professional degree, which is a BS in engineering, whereas a master's degree is not mandatory.

Affiliated Engineering Schools

• Columbia University – New York, NY
• Washington University – St. Louis, MO

A Liberal Arts College with an Engineering Program

Our 3+2 engineering program is a unique opportunity that sets us apart from traditional engineering programs in Oregon. When you begin your education at Willamette, you'll build a foundation in liberal arts, renowned for enhancing critical thinking, communication skills, and a broader perspective. These skills will complement your engineering knowledge and make you a well-rounded professional.

Willamette provides flexible pathways. The program offers flexibility in choosing your engineering pathway. Whether you're interested in civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, or environmental engineering, you can tailor your education to match your career goals. Willamette also provides financial aid solutions that make engineering schools more affordable.

Our engineering students are prepared to tackle complex challenges and make a lasting impact in our increasingly connected world. You'll gain a solid foundation in engineering principles, hands-on experience, and the ability to think critically and creatively. Whether you're interested in becoming a chemical engineer or expanding your knowledge about social sciences, our dual degree can help.

Next Steps and Additional Information

• Email Professor Watkins if you have additional questions about the program.
• Meet with one of the engineering advisers (Profs. Altman, Kleinert, Watkins in Physics) regularly and early during freshman year.
• Check engineering school websites for up-to-date information and review the general program requirements.
• Decide which engineering major you want to pursue, as requirements are different for different majors.
• Read Pursuing Engineering at a Small College FAQ.
• Willamette scholarships do not transfer to the Affiliated Engineering School, so you will need to re-negotiate scholarships.
• Please be aware that fulfilling all requirements essentially secures admission to one of our engineering schools. In nearly 30 years of this program, only one student who fell short of these criteria was denied entry. However, note that gaining admission to Columbia University has grown increasingly competitive in recent years.