What are the options for transferring engineering credits between colleges?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the challenges of transferring engineering credits between colleges, particularly for students enrolled in engineering technology programs. The participant, a high school senior, seeks advice on taking foundational engineering, physics, and math classes at their current school to facilitate a future transfer to a college offering a Mechanical Engineering (ME) degree. Key points include the importance of verifying credit transferability with the target institution and ensuring that the current school is ABET-accredited. The consensus emphasizes the necessity of a well-structured academic plan to avoid complications in credit recognition.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of ABET accreditation standards
  • Familiarity with the differences between engineering and engineering technology
  • Knowledge of foundational engineering courses (e.g., basic electricity, calculus)
  • Awareness of credit transfer policies between colleges
NEXT STEPS
  • Research ABET accreditation status of your current and target institutions
  • Consult with academic advisors at both colleges regarding credit transfer policies
  • Identify and enroll in foundational courses recognized by Mechanical Engineering programs
  • Develop a comprehensive academic plan to streamline the transfer process
USEFUL FOR

High school seniors aspiring to pursue engineering degrees, current college students in engineering technology programs, and academic advisors assisting students with transfer processes.

Jakecrews28
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Ok so I'm a senior in high school right now. I want to be a mechanical engineer and would like to get my masters and I also love physics but I'm going to a school that only offers engineering technology and physics (I understand the basic difference between engineering and engineering technology I think). It's to late to transfer to another school this semester so I'm stuck at this school. I love the school I'm going to go to though and would like to know what you guys would recommend me to do. Is there anyway I could stay at the school I'm going to go to for a year or two and just take the basic engineering, physics and math classes that could transfer to another college? Hopefully this is enough information but I'll answer any questions.
 
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It's not clear that the classes you'll be taking for an Engineering Tech degree will be the same as those required for a Mechanical Engineer.

If you have a school in mind to which you wish to transfer for your ME degree, you should discuss with that school if the engineering tech courses are acceptable to them and if these credits will transfer. There's no upside in spending a lot of time enrolled at one school if your work isn't recognized at another school.

You should have made a better academic plan about attending college. It saves a lot of time and money.
 
I know, honestly I didn't know it was engineering technology, I thought it was engineering. At this point I'm just trying to clean up my mess.

Im thinking I can take the classes at the school I'm going to go to, that the other school that does offer an engineering major, makes engineering majors take the first semester. Then I could transfer to that school as soon as possible.

Does that seem to be my best bet?
 
I don't think there was a generic "Engineering" degree. The major branches of engineering, civil, mechanical, electrical, etc., share the basic courses for the first two years or so, but then in the last two years, typically, courses concentrating on a particular branch of engineering are usually taken. For instance, MEs and EEs will both take a basic electricity course, but then the EEs will take further courses in electrical engineering and electronics which an ME might not take.

Like I said previously, I don't think there is a generic answer to your original question. You will have to deal with your two schools and find out from them if you can transfer your credits from one school to the other, or if you will be required to re-take some introductory courses should you transfer.

Engineering degrees must be granted by schools accredited by ABET and it's not clear if the school where you are taking Engineering Technology is accredited by that body. It would be one of the things I would check.
 

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