Earlham’s new engineering program is about more than systems and structures—it’s about approaching the messy, complicated problems of our time with a sense of compassion and justice.
Through this program, you will gain the expertise and skills you need to pursue a career in engineering, while benefitting from the perspective-building, life-changing liberal arts education at Earlham provides.
Earlham’s engineering major has been designed to appeal to a diverse range of students, including those who have been historically underrepresented in engineering.
At Earlham, you will expand your knowledge and experience of social, economic and environmental issues. In doing so, you’ll learn how to use engineering to build a better world. Whether traveling the world or working in our community, you will be immersed in the very questions you will later seek to answer.
This is engineering for good.
As a new engineering program, we are not yet accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET), but we are following the necessary path to accreditation after our first cohort graduates and will submit our request for review in fall 2026.
Bachelor of Engineering
To earn a Bachelor of Engineering (designed for ABET accreditation), you must complete the following courses, in addition to general education requirements:
Five core engineering courses (19 - 20 credits)
One of the following two courses:
Eight core mathematics and basic science courses (30 credits)
A minimum of 20 elective credits
- A required independent research project or internship, which must be pre-approved by the program, and may be accomplished as a research class in Physics, Earth and Environmental Science, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, as a summer research experience on-campus or off-campus, as an approved Ford/Earlham research project, or as an internship with an engineering company.
- Elective courses:
- ENGR 251: Socially Responsible Engineering
- ENGR 300: TBD
- ENGR 301: Geotechnical Engineering
- ENGR 302: TBD
- ENGR 303: Signals and Systems
- ENGR 304: TBD
- ENGR 305: Strength of Materials
- ENGR 306: Engineering Thermodynamics
- ENGR 307: Advanced Topics in Engineering
- ENGR 374: Engineering Fluid Mechanics
- ART/ENGR 308: TBD
- ART/ENGR 309: TBD
A year-long capstone project (5 credits)
Bachelor of Engineering Studies
To earn a Bachelor of Engineering Studies (not designed for ABET accreditation), you must complete the following courses, in addition to general education requirements:
Four of the following core engineering courses (16 credits)
Six core mathematics and basic science courses (22 credits)
A minimum of 16 elective credits
- A required independent research project or internship, which must be pre-approved by the program, and may be accomplished as a research class in Physics, Earth and Environmental Science, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, as a summer research experience on-campus or off-campus, as an approved Ford/Earlham research project, or as an internship with an engineering company.
- Elective courses:
- ENGR 251: Socially Responsible Engineering
- ENGR 300: TBD
- ENGR 301: Geotechnical Engineering
- ENGR 302: TBD
- ENGR 303: Signals and Systems
- ENGR 304: TBD
- ENGR 305: Strength of Materials
- ENGR 306: Engineering Thermodynamics
- ENGR 307: Advanced Topics in Engineering
- ENGR 374: Engineering Fluid Mechanics
- ART/ENGR 308: TBD
- ART/ENGR 309: TBD
A year-long capstone project (5 credits)
- 91% of work seekers who majored in the natural sciences between 2018-2022 were employed, pursuing graduate school or volunteering within six months of graduation.
- Students who wish to pursue a career in engineering will need to follow the steps below after completing their 4-year BA in Engineering, which will be evaluated for accreditation by ABET in 2026-2027.
- First, take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam (either during your senior year or shortly thereafter) to become classified as an “engineer intern” or “engineer in training."
- For some disciplines (chemical, civil, electrical or mechanical), your next step is to pursue Professional Engineer (PE) licensure.
- Students interested in PE licensure would need to complete at least 4 years of post-college work experience in their chosen engineering discipline.
- They must also pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam, which must be done after they pass the FE.
- PE licensure is legally required for consulting engineers and private practitioners who are in responsible charge of work, whether principals or employees. Licensure is also required in a number of government positions.
- Licensure requirements can differ from state to state.
Students who earn a non-ABET accredited degree (such as the BA in Engineering Studies) may be ineligible for licensure or may have a significantly more complicated path to licensure, likely involving additional preparation after earning a BA. Students interested in pursuing licensure should plan on earning the BA in Engineering.