Engineers work for the benefit of humankind and our world by applying knowledge of the mathematical and natural sciences in ways that responsibly utilize the materials and forces of nature.
At Seattle Pacific University, our Engineering programs provide a supportive environment for integrating the Christian calls for service and stewardship together with engineering problem-solving skills with a focus on critical thinking and communication.
As an SPU engineering student, you will develop these skills through an academically challenging curriculum with hands-on, design-oriented applications in a Christ-centered community supported by a dedicated and easily accessible faculty. With these foundations, you will be well prepared to engage our culture’s technical challenges to change the world for the benefit of humankind and God’s creation.
Find out more about this department’s mission, vision, and learning outcomes.
Incoming Freshmen
If you are a recent high school graduate and intend to enter the Engineering Program, in addition to meeting all the general SPU admission requirements, you should present a high school record showing four years of mathematics — one year each of physics and chemistry, and three years of a particular foreign language.
Those students entering with deficiencies should consult an engineering advisor for a program of preparation for the Engineering curriculum.
Introduction to Engineering and University Seminar
As an incoming freshman, you are required to take either the engineering University Seminar “Engineering Matters” or EGR 1402 “Introduction to Engineering I.” Students who take a different University Seminar or the University Scholars Seminar must also take EGR 1402 “Introduction to Engineering I.”
Transfer Students
If you are a transfer student, you should have at least a 2.75 transfer GPA; a 3.0 is preferred. Transfer work will be evaluated by the Engineering Department to determine if you need to take EGR 1402 “Introduction to Engineering I” or EGR 3402 “Introduction to Engineering II.”
More information on preparing to transfer to SPU to study engineering is available in the Engineering Department’s transfer student guide (PDF).
Electrical Engineering (BS)
The BS in Electrical Engineering program provides students with a strong foundation to design and analyze electrical and electronics systems. The BS in EE degree is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET .
- A minimum of 130 credits are required for this major, including 64 upper-division credits.
- Chemistry: You must score 75 percent or higher on SPU’s Chemistry Placement Test or complete CHM 1100 “Introduction to Chemistry” or CHM 1211 “General Chemistry.”
- Your completed coursework must include EE 2726 “Circuits I,” or a course taken at SPU requiring “Circuits I” as a prerequisite, prior to applying to this major.
- A minimum of 65 credits are required for this minor, including 24 upper-division credits.
Flex BSEE Degree Program for Full-time Working Students
SPU offers a unique opportunity for you to earn your BS in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) degree in our Electrical Engineering program while working full time. This program is specifically designed to address the needs of working students through its technologically enhanced learning environment.
If you are interested in the Flex Program, you are strongly advised to contact the Electrical Engineering chair (bolding@spu.edu) for details. Completion of a direct transfer AA degree through Washington community colleges is highly recommended. See the transfer student guide for more information.
General Engineering (BS)
The BS in General Engineering program provides you with a strong foundation to design and analyze a large range of engineering systems. Concentrations are available in Mechanical Engineering and Appropriate and Sustainable Engineering, or you may complete the major without a concentration.
- The Mechanical Engineering concentration provides you with a foundation to design and analyze mechanical and thermal systems.
- The Appropriate and Sustainable concentration is a direct response to our Christian calls for stewardship of our planet and service to the poor. Here, we seek to address our environmental footprint in the developed world through sustainable engineering solutions while addressing the needs of the world’s poor through development of appropriate technology.
The BS in General Engineering degree is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
- A minimum of 130 credits are required in this major, including 59–64 upper-division credits.
- Chemistry: If you intend to major in General Engineering, you must complete CHM 1211 "General Chemistry I."
- Prior to applying for an Engineering major, your completed coursework must include either EE 2726 “Circuits I” or EGR 2891 “Statics,” or a course taken at SPU requiring “Circuits I” or “Statics” as a prerequisite.
- A minimum of 62 credits are required for this minor, including 33 upper-division credits.
Computer Engineering (BS)
The BS in Computer Engineering program provides you with a strong foundation to design and analyze computer hardware and low-level software. The BS in Computer Engineering degree is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
- A minimum of 131 credits are required for this major, including 59 upper-division credits.
- Prior to applying to this major, your completed coursework must include EE 2726 “Circuits I” or a course taken at SPU requiring “Circuits I” as a prerequisite.
- A minimum of 39 credits are required for this minor, including 15 upper-division credits.
3:2 Transfer Program (Physical Sciences Major)
To offer the advantages of combining Christian liberal arts with Engineering majors not offered at SPU, SPU has dual-degree agreements with Washington State University, the University of Washington, and Columbia University.
These agreements allow you to complete three years of study at SPU and two years at the partnering school, resulting in a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Sciences from SPU and a Bachelor of Science from the participating engineering school.
During the three years spent in residence at SPU, you satisfy both the requirements for the SPU Bachelor of Arts degree and many fundamental requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree by taking the core Christian foundations, liberal arts, and prescribed courses in chemistry, physics, mathematics, and engineering.
If you fulfill the entrance requirements of the partner university, you may then transfer to the participating university. At that university, you will spend two years taking upper-division engineering courses to complete the second degree.
The Physical Sciences (3:2 Engineering) major Capstone requirement can be met by completing one of the following:
- At the University of Washington: ME 495, CEE 441, CEE 442, CEE 444, CEE 445.
- At Washington State University: CE 465, ME 416,CHE 451, B E 411
- At Columbia University: Contact your SPU engineering advisor.
- By meeting an approved course that includes a major design experience based on the knowledge and skills acquired in earlier coursework and incorporating appropriate engineering standards and multiple realistic constraints.
Apply to the Major or Minor
Your performance during the first two years will be used as an indicator of the promise of success in engineering.
- Application for admission to an Engineering major should be made in the Winter Quarter of your sophomore year., using the Major or Minor Application form and on the SPU engineering site’s Academic Resources page.
- Transfer students will be evaluated for major admission on a case-by-case basis.
- You must complete the major requirements in effect in the SPU Undergraduate Catalog for the year of your admittance to the major.
Humanities and Social Science Requirements
To satisfy ABET accreditation guidelines, all electrical engineering students must take at least 24 credits of philosophy, religion, history, literature, fine arts, sociology, psychology, political science, or foreign languages other than a student’s native language(s). These courses satisfy a General Humanities and Social Science Accreditation requirement.
- Students who take the full SPU Core and Exploratory General Education program more than meet this requirement.
- If you are a transfer student, you should carefully select your courses to ensure they fulfill the 24-credit humanities and social science requirement both in breadth and depth. See your assigned General Education academic advisor to ensure this requirement is met.
Internship Program
All Engineering majors are required to participate in an engineering-related internship with industry or another career entity.
- Your internship must include a minimum of 200 hours of work. In most cases, you will be paid by the employer.
- Normally, students complete internships during the summer between their junior and senior years.
- The Engineering Department will provide information to help you find internships, but you are individually responsible for locating and completing an appropriate internship.
Fundamentals of Engineering Exam
- All Engineering seniors are urged to take the Washington State Department of Licensing Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. Those passing the test are certified by the state of Washington as licensed engineers-in-training.
- Electrical Engineering and General Engineering majors are required, as a graduation requirement, to take and pass an online practice version of the FE exam. Passing this practice version is defined as earning a score of 50 percent or higher on each of the sections applicable to the degree program in which the student is enrolled.