Ready to Learn More?
If you’d like to learn more about the University Transfer - Engineering program, we’d love to talk with you.
We’re here to answer any questions and guide you through our application process step-by-step.
Send us your contact information, and we’ll help you get started right away!
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Program Overview
Engineering is a vast field with various specialties to explore across all industries, from aerospace to automotive, biomedical, civil, computer, electrical, industrial, mechanical and more. Regardless of the specialty, engineers apply mathematics and science to develop solutions to technical problems.
The University Transfer Engineering pre-major program is designed for students who want to earn their bachelor's degree before entering the workforce.
Engineering Pre-Major Program Goals
Madison College offers 70+ credits of math, science, engineering and general education courses that will transfer towards your bachelor’s degree in engineering.
Get a Customized Academic Plan!
With guidance from your engineering advisor, you’ll follow a custom academic plan designed to meet your educational goals, combining relevant engineering coursework with general education requirements.
Explore Engineering Specialties
Whether you’ve already decided on a specific engineering major (computer engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, etc.), or wish to explore the many career options in engineering, Madison College will ensure you’re on the right path.
Courses specifically designed for engineering students will assist you in choosing a career path that aligns with your interests. For example:
- Engineering Seminar – Over 90% of students who take this class “strongly agree” that they feel more informed about engineering, engineering-related programs and the transfer process to earn a bachelor's degree in engineering.
- Introduction to Engineering – Gain insight into engineering through hands-on experience with a real-world engineering design project.
The Introduction to Engineering course includes a hands-on introduction to the technical fabrication skills required to produce a prototype design product. “The time I spent at Madison College completely changed my life, and the experience set me on an academic path I would have never seen for myself. The instructors saw potential in myself long before I did, and their belief in me eventually led to self confidence that allowed for my academic excellence.”
Roman W. Morse, PhD
Postdoctoral Researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)Academic Support and Guidance
Madison College’s engineering faculty are experts in their fields, ready to share their knowledge and experience with you and support you in your academic success.
The engineering faculty will not only support you in the classroom, but also serve as your advisor. Your advisor will be your go-to expert for all questions about your chosen engineering path. Engineering faculty advisors will help you with:
- Questions about your program.
- Choosing the best classes to meet your goals.
- Taking classes in the right order to stay on track.
Many engineering programs at four-year colleges are highly competitive, so when the time is right, we’ll help you apply to multiple transfer institutions.
Modern Learning Facilities
Our classrooms and labs are designed to support technical training that meets current workforce demands. As an engineering pre-major student, you'll have access to state-of-the-art equipment that’s often more advanced than what you'll find at many four-year institutions!
College and University Transfer Pathways
Madison College’s engineering pre-major program provides you with many options for furthering your education and completing a bachelor’s degree.
We have agreements and pathways with many institutions across the region, including UW-Madison, UW-Platteville, UW-Milwaukee and Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE). If you have another engineering school in mind, we’ll make sure you’re taking the appropriate courses that will transfer with you.
Here are some unique pathways available to Madison College engineering pre-major students:
UW-Platteville Pathways
In addition to the on-campus engineering degrees offered at UW-Platteville, students can complete UW-Platteville’s bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Industrial & Systems Engineering at Madison College’s Truax campus through the UW-Platteville Engineering Partnerships (UW-PEP) program. Madison College math, science, and engineering courses are designed to transfer seamlessly to meet the requirements for UW-Platteville’s engineering degrees on-campus or through the PEP program!
UW-Madison Pathways
Madison College’s math, science and engineering courses also transfer directly to UW-Madison’s College of Engineering (COE). In fact, Madison College is the only institution to offer the unique STEP2UW pathway to prepare students for transfer to the College of Engineering.
“Before Madison College, engineering felt theoretical. The core courses I took at Madison College have allowed me to bridge theory to hands-on projects. The opportunities and faculty support were key to my successful transfer to the College of Engineering at UW-Madison with a full-ride scholarship. My main advice for students considering the Engineering Transfer program is to fully leverage the incredible opportunities for hands-on learning and the unwavering faculty support.”
Grace Onesime Zongo
UW-Madison College of Engineering, BS Electrical EngineeringFlexible and Affordable Course Offerings
- Enjoy small class sizes and personal attention.
- Study close to home, whether in Madison or regionally at our Reedsburg, Portage, Fort Atkinson or Watertown campuses.
- Attend full- or part-time.
- Save money with the lowest per-credit tuition in the region.
- Experience a top-quality education that transfers!
Ready to Learn More or Get Started?
Interested students should contact Jennifer Jackowski, Department Chair, at jjjackowski@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6531 to start exploring your pathway in engineering.
If you’re ready to apply, create an account and begin the application process. Select the “Architecture and Engineering” area of study and then choose “University Transfer - Pre-major: Engineering.”
Create an Account and Apply to Madison College
Explore Other Programs for Future Engineers
The engineering pre-major is not the only path to becoming an engineer. Many aspiring engineers choose to begin their careers early by earning an applied associate degree, which allows them to enter the workforce more quickly. They can then continue their education to complete their bachelor’s degree in engineering while gaining practical experience on the job.
Explore these engineering-related programs if you want to start your career sooner.
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Curriculum and Experience
Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2025-2026 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.
Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:
- Progress toward your specific requirements
- Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements
If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.
60 credits minimum to complete the program by satisfying the all requirements as defined.English and Speech (9 credits)Six credits must be in composition - English 1 and one other composition course. Three credits must be in public speaking. (Students should consult with an advisor to determine the best choice for their second composition course.)Composition CoursesPublic Speaking CoursesKinesiology/Health/Wellness (1 credit)Completion of one of the listed courses is required.Kinesiology CoursesMathematics and Natural Science (25-26 credits)Required Mathematics CoursesChoose one of the following options to satisfy the Chemistry requirement.Chemistry Option 1 (complete both courses):Chemistry Option 2 (complete both courses):Choose one of the following options to satisfy the Physics requirement.Physics Option 1:Physics Option 2 (complete both courses):Humanities/Fine Arts (6 credits)Completion of courses from two disciplines is required. Choose courses from the following disciplines: art, art history, drama, film, literature, music, philosophy, world languages, writing and communication, and interdisciplinary humanities. Any remaining credits to fulfill the requirement can be selected from any Humanities and Fine Arts courses offered within the AS degree.Art CoursesArt History CoursesDrama CoursesFilm CoursesLiterature CoursesMusic CoursesPhilosophy CoursesWorld Languages CoursesWriting and Communication CoursesInterdisciplinary Humanities CoursesSocial Science (6 credits)Choose Option #1 or Option #2 to satisfy the requirement.Social Science Option #1Required Economics CoursesSocial Science Option #2Completion of courses from at least two disciplines is required. Choose courses from the following disciplines: anthropology, economics, education, history, political science, psychology, sociology, and interdisciplinary social science.Anthropology CoursesEconomics CoursesEducation CoursesHistory CoursesPolitical Science CoursesPsychology CoursesSociology CoursesInterdisciplinary Social Science CoursesEthnic Studies (One course)Course may also count toward Humanities/Fine Arts, Social Science, or ElectivesWorld Languages (One course)May be met with one year of high school with a grade of "C" or better OR one semester in college. College course may also count toward Humanities/Fine Arts or Electives.See World Languages Courses under the Humanities and Fine Arts Requirement above.If requirement was satisfied with high school courses, email: enrollmentservices@madisoncollege.edu.Engineering Electives (13 credits)Consult with your advisor to determine which courses are best for your intended transfer program.Engineering Elective Choices: -
Admission
To Apply
Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!
International students who wish to apply for, maintain, or transfer their F-1 student visa status to Madison College are required to complete the International Admission Process.
Note: It is recommended to only apply for a semester that has already started if you are currently enrolled in classes or you have verified that classes are still available for that semester.
Application Dates
Spring 2025
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is April 15, 2025
Summer 2025
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is July 15, 2025
Fall 2025
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is November 15, 2025
Spring 2026
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is April 15, 2026
Admission Requirements
All materials must be submitted by the application deadline.
1. Admission Application
The online application allows you to save your work as you complete it and ensures fast, secure delivery to our office.
2. Education Completion
Submit official transcripts from the institutions you attended that indicate one of the following:
- High school completion (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
- GED/HSED completion
- College transcript or Madison College experience showing:
- Completion of an associate degree or higher, or
- At least 30 credits completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale
- The credits must be completed at a single college and cannot be combined with other transcripts
- Any transfer credit listed on a transcript does not count toward the 30-credit minimum
- Credits completed at Madison College are evaluated and do not require a transcript
All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.
Additional Notes
- Class capacity is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis.
- Course prerequisites differ from admission requirements; admission into a program does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses or success in the program. Refer to program curriculum for details.
After Acceptance
Once you are admitted into your program, review the Start of Semester Checklist to prepare for your first day of classes at Madison College.
Questions?
Contact the Enrollment Center at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your University Transfer - Engineering career.
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Transfer Opportunities
UW System Schools
This agreement is in the form of a contract. Students who earn the Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) Degree in one of the LAT Pre-Majors at Madison College, who meet requirements for admission to UW-Madison, contract requirements and who meet specified levels of academic achievement at Madison College will be granted admission to UW–Madison as a transfer student. Admission to UW–Madison under this agreement does not guarantee admission to any specific academic major or program.Eligible STEP2UW candidates include students who qualify as Wisconsin residents for UW-Madison tuition purposes, attended Madison College after graduating from high school, and have not attended any other institution after graduating from high school. The STEP2UW agreement does not apply to students applying to UW-Madison as first-year students, including STEM Academy students. Participating engineering programs include: Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, Environmental Engineering, Geological Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Nuclear Engineering. Students are considered for direct admission to the College of Engineering by applying to UW-Madison’s Office of Admissions and Recruitment with an engineering program listed as their first choice major. Eligible STEP2UW students who are selected for admission to a participating engineering program and meet the requirements below will automatically meet progression requirements to guarantee advancement in their selected engineering program after transfer.AS at Madison College can satisfy majority of gen.ed. requirements (exceptions apply). Also included course-to-course articulation information.Completion of the Associate in Science - Engineering Pre-major meets all of the required coursework for being admitted to UW-Platteville and into either the electrical, mechanical, or industrial and systems engineering program.Students must complete the AA or AS, with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 (2.75 is required for international emphasis), be admitted to UW W and applied to the appropriate journalism emphasis. It is recommended that students take 809172 for their diversity class.Wisconsin Private Schools
MC students who earn an A.A. or A.S. degree who are admitted to Carroll University with at least 52 transfer credits will meet all GE1 distribution components in the gen ed curriculum. Transfer credit may be received for the CCD, GE2 and CCE requirements.Students with an AA, AS or AAS are Advanced Core. Advanced Core requires students to have earned at least 60 credits. Students transferring prior to completion or with less than 60 credits are standard core and credits are evaluated course by course.Students who receive an Associate of Arts or Sciences Degree from Madison College will be guaranteed admission to Edgewood College when students transfer directly from Madison College to Edgewood College within 5 years of completing the Associate Degree. Students who take coursework at another institution between the completion of their coursework at Madison College and their transfer to Edgewood College must meet Edgewood College's transfer student admissions requirements of a cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all college-level coursework. Students must also meet posted admission deadlines.Student who earn an Associate Degree from Madison College can transfer a minimum of 60 credits and a maximum of 72 credits to Lakeland College to be applied to the requirements of the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences degree.Mount Mary University will recognize an earned AA, AS, and AAS degree and guarantee those students junior standing. Outlines main transfer equivalancies.Out-of-State Schools
General university admission is guaranteed upon successful completion of the following conditions: 1) Completion of an associate degree from a regionally accredited higher education institution with a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA (Arizona residents) or 2.50 cumulative GPA (nonresidents) or 2) completion of 24 or more transferable semester credits post-high school with a minimum cumulative transfer GPA of 2.50 and verification of high school graduation or the equivalent. NOTE: Some ASU colleges and schools have additional or higher requirements for admission into their majors.Students who complete any associate degree at Madison Area Technical College will have no additional general education core curriculum requirements to meet but must satisfy the Kirkpatrick Signature Series requirement.Per the agreement, students must complete the associates of arts, associates of science or associates of applied science with an overall GPA of a 2.0 prior to transferring.Students graduating with an associate degree from MATC with a 2.0 GPA or higher are guaranteed admissions into CSU-Global and can transfer up to 64 semester credits from MATC to be applied toward earning a Bachelor’s Degree at CSU-Global.Franklin University will guarantee acceptance of Madison College graduates with an AA, AS, or AAS. Madison College graduates will have junior standing at Franklin University and may transfer up to 94 additional credits toward their baccalaureate degree. -
Career Outcomes
Engineering Pre-Major Program Outcomes
Your engineering pre-major curriculum will blend engineering courses with general education requirements. The 60+ credits you earn at Madison College will prepare you to transfer with junior-level standing to your chosen four-year engineering school.
Customized Transfer Path
If you know the specific engineering major you want to pursue and the college or university where you want to earn your bachelor's degree, we’ll help you take the courses your destination college requires.
Transfer Paths with Partner Schools
We also have transfer paths with partner engineering schools that many Madison College engineering pre-major students take advantage of.
UW-Platteville
Students can earn industrial and systems engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and degrees through UW-Platteville Engineering Partnerships (UW-PEP or PEP). The unique hybrid delivery includes face-to-face and online courses along with hands-on lab experiences.
In addition, Madison College has pathways for transferring to UW-Platteville's College of Engineering, Math, and Science, offering seven engineering degrees featuring several different concentrations which you can specialize in:
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Engineering Physics
- Industrial Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Software Engineering
- Sustainable and Renewable Energy Systems
UW-Madison
Admission to the College of Engineering (CoE) at UW-Madison is very competitive and highly selective. However, eligible Madison College engineering pre-major students have a unique opportunity to participate in the STEP2UW pathway to these CoE majors:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Engineering Mechanics
- Geological Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Nuclear Engineering
Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE)
MSOE is a great option for small class sizes and hands-on learning.
- Biomedical Engineering - General Track
- Biomedical Engineering - AI Track
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Architectural Engineering
- Biomolecular Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Software Engineering
Engineering Technician Apprenticeship
Students who complete Madison College’s University Transfer Engineering associate degree will not only be prepared for transfer but will also be eligible to apply for a job with Alliant Energy. The company offers a four-year Engineering Technician apprenticeship program, with starting wages ranging from $39.08 to $50.10 per hour.
Madison College’s Engineering pre-major will set you up for success!
No matter which path you take – whether following a transfer path with one of our partner engineering schools or designing one unique to your academic and career goals – our engineering pre-major will equip you with the strong foundation you need to succeed.
Your future in engineering starts here, and the possibilities are limitless!