Western Michigan University and Aquinas College are partners in an innovative engineering program that melds a liberal arts education rooted in the Catholic and Dominican tradition with the resources and expertise of a major public research university. Degrees are available in industrial and entrepreneurial engineering and in civil engineering, and both are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
General education and prerequisite courses are taught by Aquinas faculty. Engineering courses are taught by WMU faculty. Students graduate with both an associate of arts degree from Aquinas and a bachelor of science degree in engineering from WMU.
Why Study Engineering?
- You get to solve BIG problems that impact societies unlike any other career!
- Careers in engineering are among the most sought-after, well-paying fields in the world. They are challenging and creative, and tend to have high job satisfaction.
- Engineers, scientists and technologists learn skills that are transferable to multiple industries, making them marketable worldwide.
- Opportunities are global – you can choose where to apply your skills. Live where you want!
- Degrees in engineering and science provide preparation for other professional degrees like law, medicine and business.
Why AQ?
Excellent teaching and mentoring at a Catholic liberal arts college with small classes and many opportunities for personal attention and tutoring.
Strong STEM (science, engineering, technology, and math) programs with dedicated professors and all lectures and laboratories taught by professors (no TAs).
Private liberal arts college education at the cost of in-state tuition.
Highly rated college for sustainability, with exciting opportunities for student participation, creativity, and initiative.
Integration of the liberal arts with STEM, which is a selling point with employers.
Beautiful campus on a wooded setting with trails, ponds and access to Fisk Lake.
Only a 10 minute drive from downtown Grand Rapids.
Small, accessible campus with a strong community life.
Many opportunities for service work and internships.
Involvement in student sports and clubs and study abroad opportunities.
Why WMU?
All engineering programs are accredited.
WMU is a Carnegie-class research institution providing opportunities for master’s and PhD tracks.
Elson Floyd Hall, located at the Business Technology Research Park on WMU’s Parkview Campus, is a $100 million research facility with 75 labs available to our students.
With 3,000 students, Floyd Hall provides a small-college feel while WMU provides the resources and experiences that come with a large university.
Learn from faculty who are some of the best minds in their fields and are committed to advancing both academic and career opportunities for students.
Get involved! WMU has nearly 400 student organizations, with over 30 committed to engineering and applied sciences.
Our pedagogy is that students learn engineering by doing engineering. You will have hands-on opportunities immediately.
Career pathways are global, and we boast a 92-percent post-secondary success rate. Our Career Advising team hosts industry leaders for presentations, helps with resume review, interviewing practice sessions, and salary negotiation strategies. The college hosts an engineering career day each fall, bringing more than 140 companies to campus.
Our Industrial and Entrepreneurial Engineering program is one of the first accredited programs in the nation that combines a traditional industrial engineering program with an entrepreneurial focus, where engineering design, creativity and innovation are emphasized throughout the curriculum.
The STEM Talent Expansion Program (STEP) provides free tutoring in science, mathematics and engineering courses.
If you are interested in our program or have questions, please contact the Admissions Office at (616) 632-2913 or email admissions@aquinas.edu.