Dual Degree Program in Engineering
The Baldwin-Wallace Dual Degree Program in Engineering (called the Binary Program in Engineering or the 3-2 Program at other schools) combines the best of a liberal arts education with an accredited engineering curriculum. A Dual Degree student typically spends three years at B-W before moving on to Case Western Reserve University, Columbia University, or Washington University. As long as the student has met course requirements, been given his or her advisor's approval, and maintained at least a 3.0 GPA, he or she is essentially assured transfer admission into an engineering program.
After three years at B-W, and depending on which courses have been taken, it generally takes two more years to complete the engineering program. Once finished, the student graduates with two degrees--one from B-W and one from the engineering school. The degree from B-W is usually a Bachelor of Arts (BA) with a major in Engineering Studies. With a little more work, a student may complete a science major and receive a Bachelor of Science (BS). Three years at B-W is not a maximum time. Some students stay four years to complete a science major, while some student/athletes stay to play out their 4 years of eligibility.
B-W has agreements with three universities: Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, Washington in St. Louis, and Columbia in New York. Each school has somewhat different requirements, and a B-W student must go through an application process to be formally admitted to the university. Baldwin-Wallace has never had a student refused entrance into an Engineering Program.
B-W gets very positive feedback about the dual degree program from the students themselves, as well as from the engineering schools and the recruiters who interview B-W students. B-W’s liberal arts core curriculum ensures that our students have excellent communication skills and the diverse background for which employers are looking. The extra undergraduate year is a definite advantage to students in building their technical skills before they take on the challenges of the engineering curriculum.
What type of student chooses the dual degree engineering program? A student with broad interests who isn't quite sure which path to follow. A student who wants a solid liberal arts foundation. A student who isn't quite sure whether he or she is more interested in civil, mechanical, electrical, or biomedical engineering. At B-W, students can begin their liberal arts education without making a specific engineering career choice until their third year.
For more information, please contact Dr. Peter Hoekje in the Physics Department at (440) 826-2494 or email phoekje@bw.edu
