There are several options for combining a Middlebury degree with study in engineering. The most common is simply to complete a Middlebury B.A. in one of the sciences—normally physics for electrical engineering, computer science or physics for computer engineering, chemistry for chemical engineering, etc. At the same time, one should be sure to get a broad general education in science by electing cognate science courses, particularly in physics, mathematics, and computer science. A course in economics is recommended, and biology and/or geology are also valuable for some fields. After completing the Middlebury degree, students commonly move directly into a master’s (or Ph.D.) program in engineering. Strong students have been accepted into engineering programs at top schools such as M.I.T., Caltech, Cornell, R.P.I., University of Wisconsin, Washington University, and many others. It usually takes two years after the B.A. to complete an engineering master’s degree, though sometimes this can be accelerated a bit.

Students who have taken this route tell us that they have found themselves very well prepared for graduate school. The fact that they have a solid liberal arts background, with significant emphasis on writing and analytical thinking, puts them in a very strong position—both in their graduate programs and even more so in their eventual careers.

Dartmouth Dual-Degree Program

Another option is a dual-degree program. The one that the most students have pursued recently is with Dartmouth. In this program, one usually spends the junior year studying engineering at Dartmouth, returns to Middlebury for the senior year, graduating with a B.A., and then goes back to Dartmouth for a fifth year and a second degree, a bachelor of engineering (B.E.). Some students who do this also stay for one additional (sixth) year and get a master’s. This is an excellent program that numerous students have pursued. Interested students should take the pre-requisite courses for the Dartmouth program during their first two years and should apply to Dartmouth by February 1 of their sophomore year. Although admission to the Dartmouth program is not guaranteed, Middlebury students with good science grades have an excellent record of being accepted. Financial aid is transferable to Dartmouth for a limited number of students on a competitive basis for their junior year. Learn more about the Dartmouth Dual-Degree Program.

Columbia Combined Plan Program

The other dual-degree program, or combined-plan program, is with Columbia University in New York City. In this programs, a student completes the first three years at Middlebury, and in the third year applies to transfer for the final two years of study. At the end, the student receives two degrees: a B.A. from Middlebury, and a B.S. from the engineering school. Since students considering these programs will need to complete all the Middlebury distribution requirements and most of those for a major, plus pre-requisites for an engineering program, within three rather than four years, it is important to plan carefully starting from the first year at Middlebury. Learn more about the Columbia Combined-Plan Program.