Program Overview

King’s College offers 3+2 Dual Degree Engineering Programs in collaboration with the University of Notre Dame and Washington University in St. Louis. In these programs students study for three years at King’s College taking mathematics, science, pre-engineering and liberal arts courses, and then transfer to Notre Dame or Washington University for two years to complete engineering courses in their chosen fields. Upon successful completion of the program, students receive both a B.S. from King’s College (in Physics, Chemistry, Environmental and Ecological Sciences or Computer Science) and a B.S. in Engineering from Notre Dame (in Aerospace, Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Environmental or Mechanical Engineering) or Washington University (in Biomedical, Chemical, Computer, Electrical, Environmental, Mechanical or Systems Engineering).

The 3+2 Engineering program at King’s takes an interdisciplinary approach to exposing students to the transferable skills of liberal learning valued in a King’s College education. The knowledge, skills, and dispositions students acquire by virtue of the Core liberal arts curriculum at King’s will enhance their ability to be successful contributors within their chosen engineering field. During the three years at King’s, students take a variety of liberal arts courses that develop skills in written and oral communication, moral reasoning, and critical thinking. Employers value the liberal arts/engineering combination since students possess not only technical skills, but also the ability to write proposals, make presentations, and broadly understand engineering systems and the role of technology in our changing society.

The 3+2 program at King’s is unique for several reasons. At King’s students will be studying within a science field and will receive a B.S. in Physics, Chemistry, Environmental and Ecological Sciences or Computer Science upon successful completion of their 5 years of study. In addition, there is a First-Year Engineering Seminar, where the different engineering disciplines and career options are explored to help students choose the track that is right for them, and a second year Systems Design course.

The program at King’s College was started in Fall, 2013, and to date 38 students have successfully completed their five years of study and have graduated from the program. There are 12 students currently studying at Notre Dame and Washington University, with an additional 19 students currently at various stages of program progression at King's.

The University of Notre Dame Program

King's students in the 3+2 program will transfer to The University of Notre Dame in one of seven engineering tracks – Aerospace, Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Environmental or Mechanical Engineering – and will receive a B.S. from King's in the disciplines specified below:

B.S. Physics from King's:

  • Aerospace Engineering track
  • Mechanical Engineering track
  • Civil Engineering track
  • Electrical Engineering track

B.S. Chemistry from King's:

  • Chemical Engineering track

B.S. Computer Science from King's:

  • Computer Engineering Track

B.S. Environmental and Ecological Sciences from King's:

  • Environmental Engineering track

Applying to Notre Dame

Students applying for transfer admission to the University of Notre Dame should apply to Notre Dame after the fall semester of their 3rd year. They must have satisfied King’s College academic guidelines, as well as the following criteria:

  • Cumulative grade-point average (G.P.A.) of at least 3.6 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants with grade-point averages between a 3.0 and 3.6 will be considered if they have a strong recommendation from the program coordinator as to why the student should be admitted with a grade-point average lower than 3.6. However, no student below a G.P.A. of 3.6 should assume they will gain admission.
  • Cumulative technical grade-point average of at least 3.6 on a 4.0 scale. The technical G.P.A. will be calculated from math, physics, science, and engineering courses appearing on the student’s transcript. Those with cumulative technical grade-point averages between a 3.0 and 3.6 will be considered if they have a strong recommendation from the program coordinator as to why the student should be admitted with a grade-point average lower than 3.6. However, no student below a G.P.A. of 3.6 should assume they will gain admission.
  • A grade of at least C in all courses; a B or better must be earned in courses that transfer to satisfy Notre Dame degree requirements (per Notre Dame Undergraduate Academic Code). For all courses where a student does not earn the minimum grade (C or B), at Kings’ discretion, the student may retake that course in an attempt to:
    • earn a C and remain eligible for this program; or
    • earn a B and allow the course to transfer to the Notre Dame transcript.
If a student repeats a course, consistent with Notre Dame’s Undergraduate Academic Code, both grades will be used to calculate the student’s G.P.A. (overall and technical required in paragraphs 1 and 2).
  • At least 62 semester credit-hours of work that can be transferred to satisfy Notre Dame engineering degree requirements
  • Demonstrated commitment to the community values and standards of conduct of both Notre Dame and King’s College, as determined by Notre Dame’s sole discretion

More information on the engineering programs at the University of Notre Dame is available here.

The Washington University in St. Louis Program

King's students in the 3+2 program will transfer to Washington University in St. Louis in one of seven engineering tracks – Biomedical, Chemical, Computer, Electrical, Environmental, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering – and will receive a B.S. from King's in the disciplines specified below:

B.S. Physics from King's:

  • Biomedical Engineering track
  • Electrical Engineering track
  • Mechanical Engineering track
  • Systems Engineering track

B.S. Chemistry from King's:

  • Chemical Engineering track
  • Environmental Engineering track

B.S. Computer Science from King's:

  • Computer Engineering Track

Applying to Washington University in St. Louis

Students applying for transfer admission to Washington University In St. Louis should apply to Washington University after the fall semester of their 3rd year. They must have satisfied King’s College academic guidelines, as well as the following criteria:

  • A G.P.A. of B+ (3.25/4.0) or better, both overall and in science and mathematics courses (technical) is required for admission to the Dual Degree Program. Applicants with lower G.P.A.s are considered on a case-by-case basis
  • Only courses with grades “C” or better will receive transfer credit
  • Institutional Endorsement Certifying Aptitude for Engineering Study and Receipt of a Second Degree. The 3+2 Engineering Program Director must certify aptitude for engineering study, which he or she will be requested to do after you submit your Online Application. This will attest you are expected to complete a bachelor’s level, non-engineering degree at your current institution no later than receipt of the engineering degree from Washington University.

Options to pursue Master’s Degrees at Washington University:

  • Engineering Undergraduate Degree (2-year option): Students enroll into the Washington University Engineering Dual Degree Program as traditional undergraduate Dual Degree students, taking two years to earn an undergraduate engineering degree. After completing one year at Washington University, qualified students may optionally apply for admission into an engineering master’s program. Admitted students are then classified as graduate students during their third year at Washington University; these students may be eligible for graduate aid during the third year based upon their first-year undergraduate Washington University G.P.A..
  • Engineering Undergraduate & Graduate Degrees (3-year option): After completing 90 credits at King’s College, students enroll directly into both an engineering master’s program and an undergraduate engineering program at Washington University. Students earn both engineering degrees and are classified as graduate students for all three years at Washington University. A minimum G.P.A. of 3.25 is typically required for entry into the program. For all students admitted, tuition is reduced: 50% the first year, 55% the second year and 60% the third year.

For more information on the engineering programs at Washington University in St. Louis visit this page.

Progression Criteria

Academic standing within the engineering program will be reviewed each semester by the Program Director. Admission to the University of Notre Dame or Washington University requires a minimum Overall and Technical GPA after five semesters of college study at King’s College. Students will be reviewed to monitor academic progress, provide tutoring and mentoring, make students aware of opportunities to study at University of Notre Dame and/or Washington University, maintain interest and enthusiasm in their course of study, and to discuss academic alternatives for those who may fail to maintain the required GPA or prescribed course of study.

The Minimum Progression Requirements include:

YearFall Semester Spring Semester
 Overall GPATechnical GPA*Overall GPATechnical GPA*
13.002.903.103.00
23.203.103.253.20
33.303.253.303.25

Note - No course grade may be lower than a C in order to transfer to Notre Dame or Washington University

* Technical GPA: based on grades in engineering, computer science, mathematics, chemistry and physics courses required by the 3+2 curriculum