What You’ll Study in the Three-Two Engineering Program
Receive a robust liberal arts education and take advanced science courses through the engineering dual degree program at Reed College. Learn at Reed for three years and then spend two years studying an engineering field at one of our partner institutions. With the 3-2 program, earn a bachelor’s degree from Reed in your major and another bachelor’s degree from the cooperating institution in engineering, electrical engineering, or a related engineering field.
Roadmap to the Engineering Dual Degree Program at Reed
The 3-2 program is a unique opportunity that combines Reed’s rich liberal arts tradition with focused coursework on engineering-specific topics. During your first three years, explore the arts, humanities, and social sciences, enroll in fundamental science courses, and take advantage of research opportunities that prepare you for more advanced engineering classes.
Year One
Lay the Foundation
Take required mathematics and science courses, such as Calculus, Linear Algebra, and General Physics I and II.
Immerse yourself in Reed’s signature first-year course, Humanities 110. This yearlong interdisciplinary class builds your writing and critical thinking skills while helping you explore humanity’s history, cultural shifts, and current issues.
Year Two
Build Research Skills
Begin to take your Reed major courses, some of which may overlap with additional classes you need for your engineering degree, such as chemistry and advanced math and physics.
Sophomore year is a great time to start planning for summer internships or research opportunities that help you build skills for future projects and your career. Our faculty work closely with undergraduate students on various projects, and you can also find opportunities outside of Reed’s campus. Reed College offers grants and fellowships to help fund your summer work.
Year Three
Take the Junior Qualifying Examination
Continue in your major courses and expand your scientific knowledge with more math or science classes that equip you for your engineering degree. During your junior year, apply to the 3-2 program.
As the culmination of your Reed degree, take the junior qualifying examination in your major department. Depending on your major, you may write a research paper or answer a series of quantitative or essay questions.
Year Four and Five
Enter an Engineering Program
Upon successful acceptance into the 3-2 program, start a new chapter at the partnering engineering school, where you will study for two years. Equipped with a solid foundation in both the liberal arts and scientific knowledge, excel in the advanced engineering classes that await you.
Even as you embrace your new academic home, remember you are always a Reedie. Your liberal arts education at Reed College continues to enrich your perspective, fostering problem-solving and outside-the-box thinking that sets you apart as a well-rounded professional.
Why Enroll in the Three-Two Engineering Program at Reed College?
Partnerships with Prestigious Institutions
Through our dual degree program, you can earn a bachelor's degree in engineering from one of the following prestigious schools with esteemed engineering programs:
- California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
- Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
The Best Liberal Arts Education
The world needs adaptable innovators who can solve complex problems that transcend academic boundaries. Get practice in bridging the gap between disciplines with Reed’s emphasis on the humanities. For three years, dive into our rich liberal arts tradition, honing critical thinking and communication skills that set you apart in your academic and career journey.
Hands-On Research Experience
Research is at the heart of Reed’s academic ethos. Our faculty are at the forefront of their fields, and their research is supported by grants from esteemed organizations like the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.
As a student, you can collaborate directly with our distinguished faculty, even coauthoring papers. Work in labs, perform fieldwork, and analyze data as part of your undergraduate education. Gain invaluable research experience that prepares you for your future.
Careers for Engineering Dual Degree Graduates
With their advanced problem-solving and research skills, Reed alumni who participate in the 3-2 program find success in graduate programs and careers:
- Associate professor of education, Harvard University
- Chief financial officer, Molekule
- Electrical engineer, Max Planck Institute for Physics
- Managing director, Partner, Menlo Ventures
- President, Kansas Software Technologies
- Radiation oncologist, GenesisCare
- Senior software QA engineer, Sound Transit
- Systems design engineer, KLA-Tencor
Volunteer at a Nuclear Research Reactor
Did you know Reed is home to the only nuclear research reactor at a liberal arts college? As a Reed student, you have the opportunity to utilize the reactor for independent projects, particularly through your chemistry and physics classes. You can even volunteer to help operate the reactor, gaining valuable lab skills.
