Gettysburg College's engineering dual-degree program combines the enhanced communication skills and creativity of a liberal arts education with the focused rigor of a highly regarded engineering program.
Gettysburg College offers dual-degree engineering programs in conjunction with Columbia University in New York City, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Dual Degree Engineering Program (PDF)
Upon successful completion of the program, the student is awarded the bachelor–of-arts degree from Gettysburg and the bachelor-of-science degree in an engineering discipline from one of the four affiliated universities. Since the student graduates with two degrees, all degree requirements from both institutions must be completed, including a major at each institution. The Gettysburg College major can be in any discipline provided the student completes the pre-engineering courses and the Gettysburg College curricular requirements before starting at the engineering school. The affiliation agreement between schools allows many courses to transfer so that the student can complete both degrees in 5 years. American students who qualify for financial aid at Gettysburg College will usually be eligible for similar aid at the engineering affiliate universities. International students who qualify for aid at Gettysburg are not guaranteed financial aid, although it is sometimes available.
In addition to their college advisor, candidates for this program are advised by the Engineering Advisor who is a member of the physics department. Normally, a student will be recommended to Columbia, RPI, Washington University, or Pitt during the fall semester of the junior year. Under the typical "3-2" option, students spend three years at Gettysburg and two at the partner institution.
Links:
Washington University at St. Louis
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
The grade requirements for guaranteed admission are different for each program, but at a minimum students need a 3.0 GPA to be recommended. However, admission to Columbia University will no longer be guaranteed for the students enrolling in Fall 2019 and thereafter. The specific courses required for admission by each affiliated institution vary and students should schedule courses in close cooperation with the Engineering Adviser at Gettysburg.
All dual-degree engineering students must take Physics 111, 112, 211 or Physics 109, 110 (depending on engineering field this is likely the preferred option for non-physics majors); Mathematics 111, 112, 211, (plus 212 and 225 for many engineering fields); Chemistry 107; and Computer Science 107 or 111 (depends on engineering field). Students interested in Columbia University should also take Economics 103 or 104. All dual-degree engineering students must complete the Gettysburg College curricular requirements while at Gettysburg. We recommend that 3-2 students begin working on their Gettysburg College major their first year.
While the 3-2 option is considered typical, our affiliate schools also allow the 4-2 option, whereby students complete four years at Gettysburg before transferring. In both cases the student receives two bachelor degrees at the end of the program. For financial aid reasons it is strongly recommended that students delay their Gettysburg College graduation until the end of their work at the engineering school (the 5th or 6th year depending whether 3-2 or 4-2). Both 3-2 and 4-2 students are allowed to march at the Gettysburg College graduation with their graduating class even if they are not graduating provided certain criteria are met.
Some students choose to transition to engineering by finishing 4 years at Gettysburg College and then applying to graduate schools in engineering. In this case students can apply to a broad range of schools, though some of our affiliate schools have special programs our students can consider. The graduate school option changes the financial aid picture as the student would no longer be an undergraduate. In addition, skipping the undergraduate degree in engineering usually prevents the student from sitting for professional licensure exams.
Yoshi Sato Engineering Advisor