eths11

Are there any Christian colleges that have a strong engineering program, preferably in CA, CO or WA?

Corbett

"Strong" engineering programs normally have ABET engineering accreditation. As far as I know, there are currently only two schools west of Texas/Oklahoma that are both (1) members of the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities; and (2) have ABET engineering programs:

(1) Seattle Pacific U has an ABET electrical engineering program; and

(2) George Fox U (in Oregon) has an ABET general engineering program, with concentrations in civil, computer, electrical, and mechanical engineering

A possible option (3) is California Baptist. Their engineering programs are not currently ABET accredited, but they are pursuing ABET accreditation, and could have it by the time a new student graduates.

There are many Catholic universities on the West Coast with ABET engineering programs, including Loyola Marymount, U of San Diego, and Santa Clara U in California; Gonzaga, Seattle U, and St. Martin's U in Washington; and U of Portland in Oregon.

I think the only religious schools in the Rocky Mountain states with ABET engineering programs are the BYU campuses in Utah and Idaho.

eths11

Thank you for the above info - narrows our search a bit!

CaringMom

If you can go outside of CA, CO, and WA: There are ABET accredited engineering programs at LeTourneau U. in TX, John Brown U. in AK, Cedarville U. in OH, Dordt College in IA, and I think Union U. in TN (recently accredited if at all), and perhaps Taylor U. in IN. This is not a complete list. Many of LeTouneau's students come from California, and my student is one of them (tho' not engineering). Bonus: tuition and room/board are generally less expensive in the midwest than along the coasts.

Corbett

ABET/CCCU schools (that I know of) in East/South/Midwest:

Arkansas: John Brown U
Illinois: Olivet Nazarene U
Indiana: Taylor U
Iowa: Dordt C
Minnesota: Calvin C
Ohio: Cedarville U
Oklahoma: Oklahoma Christian U, Oral Roberts U
Pennsylvania: Geneva C, Messiah C. Also Grove City C (not a CCCU member, but widely accepted as “Christian”)
Tennessee: Lipscomb U, Union U
Texas: LeTourneau U

Most widely offered programs appear to be in mechanical and electrical engineering, also computer engineering. Options in other engineering disciplines, such as civil, chemical, or biomedical, are limited.

There are also a few schools with non-ABET engineering programs, like Bob Jones U in South Carolina or Pensacola Christian C in Florida. However, the absence of ABET accreditation -- which is the normal standard for engineering degrees in the US -- may be troubling to employers, graduate schools, or state licensing boards.

phear_me

Biola has a 3 - 2 program with USC and Boston College wherein the student is awarded a degree in physical sciences and engineering from both universities.

phear_me

Correction to the above post (the time limit for editing has expired)

The engineering program agreements at Biola are with USC and Boston University (not Boston College).


Physical Science Biola Undergrad

Corbett

The 3/2 option may exist at other religious schools as well. For example, Wheaton College (in Illinois) has this arrangement with five other universities. One of these schools (Illinois Institute of Technology) is close enough that students can stay in residence at Wheaton.

If you consider a 3/2 program, you should ask how often it is actually used. At many small colleges, such programs are advertised but hardly ever utilized. 3/2 programs have the obvious disadvantage of requiring an extra year of undergraduate tuition and expenses.

phear_me

I can verify that at Biola the 3/2 program is used by at least a couple of students each year, and almost always with USC since it's very close and more prestigious than Boston University. I think the nice thing about Biola's 3-2 program is the quality of schools with which it has its 3/2 arrangements.

I can't speak to other schools that may have 3/2 arrangements, but I'm sure there are some good ones out there.

Shrinkrap

Note to self.