STEUBENVILLE, OH—In a move strengthening its commitment to academic excellence and an authentic Catholic mission, Franciscan University of Steubenville has expanded its Dual-Degree Engineering Program to include two new options for students.

Under the terms of a new 2+2 agreement with The Catholic University of America (CUA) and the addition of a fourth program to the existing 3+2 agreement with the University of Notre Dame, Franciscan engineering students can enjoy the benefits of Franciscan’s authentically Catholic formation and environment before transferring to earn a bachelor of science in engineering from one of the two universities.

According to Dr. Justin Greenly, assistant professor of engineering, the new agreements will give students the best of both worlds—Franciscan’s strongly Catholic core curriculum and excellent science classes as well as the advanced training and state-of-the-art facilities offered at some of the nation’s leading engineering schools.

“They get the formative aspects of the Franciscan education, paired with the technical aspects here, and then the additional technical experience elsewhere,” said Greenly.

The two new programs join existing engineering dual-degree programs offered in conjunction with the University of Dayton, Gannon University, and the University of Notre Dame. Currently, Franciscan offers a 3+2 option for engineering students who transfer to Notre Dame and study civil, aerospace, or mechanical engineering. The new agreement has expanded to cover chemical engineering.

“I have every reason to believe it will be popular because it is an in-demand option for prospective students,” said Greenly, himself a chemical engineer.

Franciscan students who choose to enter into the 3+2 program with Notre Dame earn a BS in math from Franciscan, and, provided they meet the program’s requirements, including earning an overall 3.3 GPA or higher, they are guaranteed acceptance into one of Notre Dame’s engineering programs.

The new agreement with CUA covers biomedical, civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering. Students are guaranteed acceptance into the CUA School of Engineering provided they fulfill the program requirements, including earning an overall 3.2 GPA or higher at Franciscan. Like Franciscan’s other 2+2 programs with Gannon University and the University of Dayton, the agreement with CUA offers students the opportunity to earn an associate degree from Franciscan before earning a BS in engineering.

Engineering jobs continue to be in high demand, with starting salaries for engineering majors among the highest salaries for new college graduates. A recent study from the Collegiate Employment Research Institute found that electrical, chemical, computer, and mechanical engineering students can expect an average salary of $59,610 or higher after completion of a bachelor’s degree.

“There is a constant demand for every discipline of engineering,” said Greenly. “Every year, engineering graduates need to replace an aging and retiring workforce. This is an opportunity for our program. Our students will have job offers and will have successful careers right out of college.  Franciscan University is focused on educating the next generation of technically competent and morally well-formed engineers.  I am excited to be a part of that.”

Known for combining technical inquiry with a creative bent, Notre Dame’s School of Engineering is regarded as one of the top engineering programs in the country. Approximately 98 percent of Notre Dame engineers pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, compared to 74 percent nationally.

The Catholic University of America’s School of Engineering offers students the chance to learn and work in Washington, D.C. With job-training opportunities offered through government agencies such as the FDA, NIH, and NASA, students have the chance to transition their classroom technical training to real-world applications while still pursuing their undergraduate education.

For more information on Franciscan University’s Dual-Degree Engineering Programs, including sample course lists, please visit the Franciscan University engineering webpage.