Franklin & Marshall College

Cooperative engineering programs begin with a three or four year program at Franklin & Marshall. Engineering schools require a specific background in physics, mathematics, and chemistry, coupled with a varying number of courses in the humanities and social sciences. In addition, F&M stipulates that students attain an acceptable level of progress toward fulfilling graduation requirements before leaving the college.

After attending Franklin & Marshall and with the recommendation of the engineering committee, and the approval of the students major department, the student transfers to one of the five affiliated engineering schools for two years of concentrated study in the chosen engineering field. After successfully completing this five or six year program, two degrees are conferred: a bachelor of arts with a major in the student's chosen field from F&M and a bachelor of science in engineering from the cooperating institution.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the advantages of the Cooperative-degree program?

• Student acquires a broad liberal arts background from a school dedicated to that type of education
• Student acquires a focused technical education from a school dedicated to that type of education
• Student gains flexibility to change career direction without any loss of time
• Student increases breadth of future choices of discipline
• Student utilizes the ability of the College, because of its small size, to assist the student to develop personally and to prepare for a career.
• Student has time to mature and grow self-confidence before selecting an engineering field of specialization

What schools can you transfer to for the Engineering Degree?

Franklin & Marshall is affiliated with the following schools:

• Case Western University (Cleveland, Ohio)
• Columbia University (New York, New York)
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy, New York)
• Washington University (St. Louis, MO)

How does financial aid work?

Students in the cooperative-degree program are treated as transfer students to the affiliated engineering schools. Therefore, Franklin & Marshall College financial aid packages DO NOT transfer. Students must apply for aid with their engineering school of choice.

Some of the affiliate schools offer special scholarships for cooperative-degree students, but availability changes from year-to-year. Please talk to the F&M Engineering Liaison or the websites below for current scholarship information.

What are the requirements for the Program?

The courses required of students during their time at F&M vary slightly by choice of engineering school and field of engineering, but in general include the following:

1. Mathematics through calculus and differential equations: MAT109, 110, 111, 229;
2. Physics through modern waves: PHY111, 112, 223
3. Chemistry: CHM111
4. Introductions to computer science, economics, and writing

In addition to the above coursework, to receive the recommendation of the engineering committee, students must complete the following:

1. 24 courses at F&M, including a major (some departments allow a course taken at the engineering schools to fulfill the F&M major).
2. Foundations, Distribution, and Language requirements.

Current information from the Engineering Programs.

For the most current information on cooperative-degree plans from our affiliate schools please use the links below.

Case Western Reserve

Columbia University

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Washington University in St. Louis

Are there other options, like graduate school?

Often students who are considering the cooperative-degree program as a 3-2 option decide to complete their four-year B.A. programs at F&M, while retaining an interest in engineering. Such students may transfer to one of the cooperating schools under the 4-2 plan. While the 4-2 plan requires an extra year it makes options like double majoring and study abroad much easier to schedule.

Of course, students who complete their B.A. at F&M may apply for graduate schools in engineering without the cooperative-degree program. In recent years, these students have a 100% success rate at being admitted to various engineering schools.