Physics & Engineering

WCU Dual B.S. 3-2 Program

Engineers find jobs in a broad range of applications - from designing nuclear engines to building micro - machines to travel through the human body to fight disease. Armed also with a physics degree, an engineer is in a better position to develop the science behind these pursuits, which can often be more attractive to employers.

The Department of Physics offers a 3-2 Physics-Engineering Program. This is a dual-degree program where a student spends three years at West Chester and two years at one of our partner institutions, after which a student holds a B.S. in Physics from West Chester University and a bachelor's degree in engineering from the partner institution. Students in the 3-2 program pay tuition at the institution where courses are being taken, meaning the two degrees can often be obtained for about the same cost or less than spending four years obtaining engineering degree from a private institution. The 3-2 program is designed to give students more time to decide on an engineering specialty. Students will also have received more math and science preparation when they go to the engineering affiliate institution, which can lead to greater academic success. Currently, we have agreements with Case Western Reserve University, Penn State University, and Thomas Jefferson University. Students who satisfy the requirements of a particular program are guaranteed admission to complete his/her engineering degree at that institution.  We also have an agreement with Columbia University, where admission is based on a competitive process only.  Highlights of each program are given below.  A standard course schedule for a student's three years at WCU can be found here .

Program with Case Western Reserve University

Available majors are Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Macromolecular Science, Materials Science, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and Systems & Control Engineering.

The minimum cumulative grade point average is a 3.0. Note: you must also have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in your math and science classes.

Complete a minimum of 90 credits hours at WCU.

Program with Penn State University

Available majors are Biological Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Energy Engineering, Engineering Science, Environmental Systems Engineering, General Engineering, Material Science and Engineering, and Mining Engineering.

The required minimum cumulative grade point average is a 3.00. Original grades for courses that were repeated should be used in the calculation.

The degree program with Penn State is not available to transfer students and must be completed within three years.

More details about the program and matriculating to Penn State is available here.

Program with Thomas Jefferson University

Available majors Mechanical Engineering and (General) Engineering with concentrations in Architectural Engineering, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Composites Engineering and Textile Engineering.

Thomas Jefferson University accepts students who transferred 30 credits or fewer into WCU, and does not limit the time spent at WCU.

Students must have a GPA of at least 3.0 when they transfer to Thomas Jefferson University. Original grades for courses that were repeated should be used in the calculation.

Students should refer to the following documents for more information: WCU-Jefferson University 3+2 agreement and B.S. Mechanical Engineering Full Checksheet .

Program With Columbia University

Available majors are 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, Material Science and Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering, and Operations Research.

For students who started at WCU after Fall 2018, the Columbia University program is available only by a competitive process.

To be competitive in the application process:

•  The required minimum cumulative grade point average is a 3.30.
•  A minimum grade of B (3.0) must be obtained on the first attempt in all science and mathematics prerequisite coursework (e.g. MAT 161, 162, 262, PHY 170, 180, CHE 103, and CSC 141). 
•  Online courses will not be accepted in the matriculation process.