Pre-Engineering Major

The pre-engineering major at Colorado Christian University is an Associate of Science degree program that prepares you for further study in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or another engineering discipline at a four-year college or university. This pre-engineering program provides you with a solid foundation in engineering concepts, mathematics, physics, and science coursework during your first two years of college. You will study engineering fundamentals while also completing CCU's distinctive biblical studies or liberal arts core curriculum, giving you both technical knowledge and a Christ-centered worldview.

The pre-engineering associate degree is ideal if you desire CCU's strong foundation in both engineering education and Christian values, but want to pursue an engineering concentration not currently offered at CCU. Upon graduating with this pre-engineering degree, most students transfer their credit hours to an affiliate university or other universities to complete their bachelor's degree in their chosen engineering field. This program consists of carefully planned coursework that prepares you to succeed when you transfer to complete your engineering major at another institution.

In the pre-engineering program at CCU, you will complete essential mathematics and science courses that prepare you for an advanced engineering curriculum at a transfer university. Your coursework includes calculus, differential equations, chemistry, and physics courses that teach you the basic principles underlying all engineering fields. You will also study computer-aided design and engineering applications, learning to use industry-standard software tools that engineering students need throughout their careers. These pre-engineering courses emphasize hands-on learning in purposefully small classes and laboratories.

Through the School of Science and Engineering, you will engage in problem-solving activities that help you understand engineering thinking and value creation. The pre-engineering curriculum integrates liberal arts education with technical coursework, developing your critical thinking and communication skills alongside your mathematical and scientific understanding. You will receive academic advising from staff who help you plan your coursework strategically, ensuring a smooth transfer to your chosen engineering school. This pre-engineering education prepares you not only with technical skills but also with character development and ethical leadership grounded in Christian principles.

A pre-engineering degree from CCU is specifically designed as a foundational pre-engineering associate degree that prepares you for transfer to complete your bachelor degree in engineering, not for immediate employment. The associate degree provides the essential mathematics, physics, chemistry, and introductory engineering courses required during your first three years of study. To work as a professional engineer and access engineering careers, you will need to complete your engineering degree at another college or university that offers your desired engineering major after transferring your credit hours from CCU.

However, qualified students who complete the pre-engineering program will be well-prepared to pursue a bachelor's degree in diverse engineering fields including biomedical engineering, civil engineering, aerospace engineering, industrial engineering, chemical engineering, or mechanical engineering at affiliate universities or other engineering programs. Once you complete your four year degree program at your transfer institution, you will have excellent career opportunities. The foundation you build through your pre-engineering education at CCU prepares you for success in your engineering major and future engineering career.

The best engineering field for you depends on your interests, skills, and career aspirations. The pre-engineering major at CCU prepares students for transfer into various engineering disciplines, each offering unique opportunities. If you enjoy designing mechanical systems, solving problems related to energy and motion, and working with physical devices, mechanical or aerospace engineering might suit you. For students interested in circuits, power systems, and electronics, electrical engineering provides exciting possibilities. Those passionate about healthcare applications should consider biomedical engineering, which combines engineering concepts with medical innovation.

Students interested in optimizing processes and managing complex systems often pursue industrial engineering, while those concerned with infrastructure and construction may prefer civil engineering. If you enjoy chemistry and materials science, chemical engineering offers diverse applications in pharmaceuticals, energy, and environmental fields. Your academic advisor at CCU will help you explore engineering fields, understand different engineering concentrations, and plan coursework that aligns with your chosen engineering discipline. The pre-engineering curriculum provides flexibility, allowing you to prepare for admission to various engineering programs at your transfer university while building a strong foundation in the core mathematics and science courses required across all engineering majors.

The pre-engineering program at CCU is designed specifically to prepare you for seamless transfer to a university offering your desired engineering major. The program consists of carefully selected courses in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and engineering that match the core curriculum requirements at most engineering schools. You will complete approximately 60 credit hours over three years at CCU, fulfilling general education requirements alongside essential math and science prerequisites. CCU's faculty provide academic advising to help you plan your coursework based on the specific admission requirements of engineering programs at your target transfer universities.

Your pre-engineering education includes both CCU's distinctive biblical studies or liberal arts core and the technical foundation needed for engineering success. This combination prepares you not only academically but also spiritually, equipping you to be salt and light at other universities when you transfer. The School of Science and Engineering maintains small class sizes where professors know you personally and can write strong recommendation letters for your transfer applications. You will develop relationships with fellow pre-engineering students who share your faith and academic goals. Upon completing the associate degree, students transfer with solid preparation in the basic principles of engineering, mathematical reasoning, and scientific understanding needed to excel in upper-level engineering courses at their chosen four-year college.

Computer Aided Design and Engineering Applications introduces you to industry-standard CAD software used by engineering professionals to create technical drawings, 3D models, and engineering designs. You will learn to visualize and communicate engineering concepts through digital tools, developing skills essential for mechanical engineering, civil engineering, aerospace engineering, and other engineering disciplines. This hands-on course teaches you to solve problems using computer technology while applying engineering design principles to real-world projects.

Chemistry for Engineers provides the chemical knowledge specifically relevant to engineering fields, covering topics like materials science, thermodynamics, and molecular behavior that engineering students need. You will study how chemical reactions and material properties affect engineering applications across biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, environmental engineering, and industrial engineering.

Studying pre-engineering at CCU offers you the unique advantage of beginning your engineering education in a Christ-centered environment before transferring to complete your degree. The School of Science and Engineering emphasizes character development alongside technical excellence, preparing you to be a moral and ethical leader in your future engineering career. You will study alongside fellow Christian pre-engineering students who share your values, forming friendships and accountability relationships that support your faith and academic growth. The small classes and accessible faculty provide personalized attention often unavailable at large engineering schools, giving you strong preparation in the basic principles of engineering, mathematics, and science.

CCU's pre-engineering program prepares you with both technical skills and biblical worldview integration, teaching you to articulate a Christian perspective on issues in science and engineering. The purposefully small laboratories invite hands-on learning that instills mastery of fundamental concepts. Upon completing your associate degree, many students transfer to their chosen affiliate university or engineering school with solid academic preparation, spiritual maturity, and the confidence to represent Christ faithfully. This foundation positions you for success in your engineering major and eventual engineering career, whether you pursue biomedical engineering, civil engineering, mechanical fields, electrical systems, chemical applications, aerospace engineering, or industrial engineering. The combination of rigorous pre-engineering education and faith formation at CCU equips you to impact the world through engineering with both competence and Christian character.