Our unique partnerships with Columbia University and Washington University in St. Louis allow you to combine the best of a liberal arts education with focused coursework in engineering.
After three years of undergraduate studies at Willamette, you can transfer to one of our three partner schools and choose from a wide range of options, including civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and environmental engineering. By the time you graduate, you’ll be ready to design solutions to complex problems and make a lasting contribution in an increasingly connected world.
3–2 Engineering Programwith Columbia or Washington UniversitySpend three years at Willamette and two years at one of the two Affiliated Engineering Schools (AES). At the end of the five years, receive both a BA or BS from Willamette and a BS from the AES. Students are eligible for federal financial aid throughout the full five years. A BS in engineering is considered a professional degree and is required for jobs in engineering fields that require ABET certification, such as Civil Engineering.
3–3 Accelerated Master’s Trackat Washington UniversityAfter three years at Willamette, students enroll directly into both an engineering master's program and an undergraduate engineering program at Washington University. Students earn a BA or BS from Willamette and both BS and MS engineering degrees from Washington University, and are classified as graduate students for all three years at Washington University. While this makes students ineligible for Federal Financial Aid, all admitted students pay discounted tuition reduced 50% the first year, 55% the second year and 60% the third year. |
4–2 Undergraduate Programwith Columbia or Washington UniversitySpend four years at Willamette and two years at Columbia or Washington University. At the end of six years, receive both a BA or BS from Willamette and a BS from the AES. Having a bachelor degree makes you ineligible for Federal Financial Aid. Thus, while it is possible to receive your Willamette BA/BS after the four years, it is recommended that you delay receiving your BA/BS until after you finish your second BS. A BS in engineering is considered a professional degree and is required for jobs in engineering fields that require ABET certification, such as Civil Engineering. |
4–2 Graduate Programwith ColumbiaThe 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 produce evidence of an outstanding undergraduate record, including superior performance in physics and mathematics through differential equations. The program of study will be individually designed in consultation with a faculty adviser and will integrate undergraduate work with the field of engineering or applied science the student chooses to follow. During the first year, the program will consist primarily of basic undergraduate courses; during the second year, it wil consist of of 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. A BS in engineering is considered a professional degree and is required for jobs in engineering fields that require ABET certification, such as Civil Engineering; a master's degree is not. |
Affiliated Engineering Schools (AES)
- Columbia University – New York, NY
- Washington University – St. Louis, MO
Next Steps
- Email Professor Watkins if you have additional questions.
- Meet with one of the engineering advisers (Profs. Altman, Kleinert, Watkins in physics) regularly and early (freshman year).
- Check engineering school websites for up-to-date information and requirements.
- Decide which engineering major you want to pursue (requirements are different for different majors).
- Read Pursuing Engineering at a small college FAQ.
- Note: If you fulfill all of their requirements, admission to one of the engineering schools is pretty much guaranteed. Over the last 26 years, only one student was not admitted because they did not meet the requirements. Note, though, that admission into Columbia University has gotten more competitive in recent years.
- Re-negotiate scholarships: WU scholarships do not transfer to the AES.