
About the College
Academic Programs
- Construction Management
- Engineering with Civil, Industrial, and Robotics & Automation Concentrations
- Electrical Engineering with Comprehensive, Electric Power & Energy, and Computer Engineering Concentrations
- Electrical & Computer Engineering Technology
- Engineering Technology - Applied Systems Technology Concentration
- Engineering Technology - Technical Operations Concentration (Hybrid/Distance)
- Mechanical Engineering


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµCollege of Engineering and Technology offers programs that connect with the
following degrees and concentrations:
Undergraduate Degrees
Construction Management (BS)
Engineering (BS)
—Civil Engineering
—Industrial Engineering
—Robotics & Automation
Electrical Engineering (BSEE)
—Comprehensive Electrical Engineering
—Computer Engineering
—Electric Power & Clean Energy
Electrical & Computer Engineering Technology (BSECET)
Engineering Technology (BS)
Engineering Technology (BS) Online/Hybrid
—O±è±ð°ù²¹³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô²õ
Mechanical Engineering (BSME)
Graduate Degrees
Engineering Technology (MS)
Construction Management (MS) Online
Academic accreditation is a voluntary process undertaken by colleges and universities to ensure that a program or institution meets established quality standards for post-secondary education. Visit our college's accreditation webpage to learn more about our ABET accredited programs.
Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµAdmissions is the best source of information for admissions requirements and resources for prospective transfer students, including agreements with other schools and transfer guides. If you are considering transferring to Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµnow or in the future, we encourage you to contact Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµas early as possible for a one-on-one discussion about your plans, your individual experience, and your coursework to ensure your credits transfer smoothly when you enroll at WCU. For more information, email Gretchen Dietz, director of the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµEngineering Discovery program, at gdietz@wcu.edu.
Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ is committed to providing high-quality, affordable education for anyone who wishes to pursue a degree. Read more about how N.C. Promise Program, the Catamount Commitment scholarship program, Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµScholarships and Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµFinancial Aid help make Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµmore affordable for students. Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ offers numerous scholarships supporting a wide variety of students and fields of study, and students submit one application to be considered for WCU-administered scholarships. Additional Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµengineering and technology-related scholarships are available as students progress through the curricula. Scholarships are available for engineering and technology students from external organizations (such as professional societies) that can help cover the costs associated with completing your degree at WCU. (In 2022-23, 48% of undergraduates completed their degree from Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµwith $0 debt!)
Also, check out College of Engineering and Technology program-related scholarships.
As a Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµstudent, you will have the opportunity to take advantage of a wide range of support services designed to help you succeed, including Tutoring Services, the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµCenter for Career and Professional Development, and Counseling & Psychological Services.
Starting in Fall 2025, our Engineering Discovery program will introduce an expanded common first-year experience for new students that will offer additional support. As part of Engineering Discovery, you will be able to:
- Get to know your fellow students and build a strong community.
- Explore how your unique interests and strengths align with various engineering and technology degrees and career paths.
- Become familiar with Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµservices such as advising, mentoring, and other support services.
- Engage with industry to explore real-world experiences.
- Join student organizations and clubs, and participate in college events that will complement your education.
Through these activities, you will develop a sense of belonging and a clear direction for your education and future career at WCU.
The Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµCollege of Engineering and Technology curriculum is designed to provide extensive hands-on learning experiences. We offer a five-course sequence of project-based learning embedded within the curriculum. As a student you’ll have access to a large Makerspace featuring 3-D printers and other equipment as well as discipline-specific labs, ensuring you gain practical, applied experience. In our curricula, students generally participate in at least one lab or lab-based course every semester, utilizing equipment and facilities they may encounter in industry. Additionally, there are numerous opportunities for hands-on learning through service learning initiatives in which students apply what they are learning to a project that serves our community.
Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµhas numerous and diverse campus activities, student clubs and organizations, and a residential Honors College. Student clubs and professional organizations connected to the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµCollege of Engineering and Technology currently include:
- ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers)
- ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers)
- CARGO (Catamount Amateur Radio Group)
- Computer Engineering Club
- Construction Management Association of America (CMAA)
- CME Outreach (Construction Management and Engineering Outreach)
- Engineers League
- IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)
- SME (Society of Manufacturing Engineers)
- SWE (Society of Women Engineers)
- NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers)
- Sigma Lambda Chi (National Honor Society for Students in Construction-Related Curricula)
- SHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers)
- SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers)
- Tau Alpha Pi (National Honor Society for Engineering Technologies)
- Tau Beta Pi (The Engineering Honor Society)
Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµhas a reputation as a national leader in undergraduate research and hosts an annual Undergraduate Research Expo that typically features more than 200 student presentations working with more than 60 faculty sponsors. Research for Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµCollege of Engineering and Technology students is strongly encouraged and varies widely based upon student interest. Our students get to know our faculty members, which often leads to students becoming involved with undergraduate research with faculty members.
Students also participate in service learning and community engagement projects that provide learning experiences and benefit the community.
Yes! Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµstudents are encouraged to gain international experience in their fields. Study abroad programs are available, and Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµis a member of the program, and students can access 40 schools across the globe that are vetted and offer engineering courses. Our students have participated in semester abroad programs with institutions in countries including Bulgaria, Ireland, South Korea and Australia. Our students also have the opportunity to participate in faculty-led study abroad programs, in which a member of our faculty will organize and lead a group of students overseas to complete engineering classes abroad. Faculty-led travel experiences are typically 2.5-weeks long courses offered in the summer and are eligible for financial aid.
Our students are well-prepared to enter the workforce and accept jobs with a range of companies and industries locally, regionally and nationwide. Recent graduates report that the current job market is very strong.
How do our students connect with future employers? Resources to assist students with their job search include the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµCenter for Career and Professional Development, which hosts multiple job fairs annually that help students find internships and jobs, and Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµCollege of Engineering and Technology industry partners regularly participate in those events.
Who are the college's industry partners? Our Kimmel School of Construction Management has a vibrant corporate partners program. Visit the KSCM Corporate Partners page to see a list of current corporate partners. In the School of Engineering + Technology, industry partners sponsor the required two-semester capstone projects that students complete. Students meet with and build professional connections with their capstone project sponsors, and some have gone on to receive and accept offers of employment from their capstone project sponsors. Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµcapstone project sponsors have included AEGIS Power Systems, Alltec, Alontree Company, Army Research Office, Corning, Cultivated Cocktails, Cummins, Dampp-Chaser Corporation, Danfoss, Duke Energy, Fleet Readiness Center, Freudenberg Performance Materials, GE Aerospace, Haakon Industries, Harris Integrated Solutions, Integral Electrics, Linamar, Kearfott, Kubota, Meritor, Pre-War Guitars, Raumedic, RMS Energy, Siemens Energy, Smith Systems, SonicAire, T&K Utilities, ThermoFisher Scientific, and U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Learn more about recent Engineering Capstone Projects.
Want to read about some of our graduates working in the field? A story in Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµMagazine highlighted our college alumni working for the Naval Air Systems Command’s Fleet Readiness Center East, Moog Inc., T&K Utilities, and Corning Optical Communications.
Mission & Vision
The College of Engineering and Technology, one of WCU's six academic colleges, offers programs in engineering, technology and construction management. The college is committed to its statewide mission for education and its regional mission for engagement. The college provides innovative undergraduate and graduate level academic programs in Construction Management and Engineering and Technology for students in an environment that supports economic development, professional development, and involvement with businesses and industries. It fulfills its academic missions through teaching and learning, scholarship and discovery, and service and engagement.
The College of Engineering and Technology’s vision is to become a national model for applications-focused engineering and technology education and a leader in project based learning.
Office of the Dean
| Name | Area of Specialization | Phone | Office |
|---|---|---|---|
| Randy Collins; Dean | Electrical Engineering | 828.227.2159 | Belk 161B |
| Paul Yanik; Interim Associate Dean | Electrical and Computer Engineering | 828.227.2166 | Belk 161A |
| Brittney Buchanan | Business Officer | 828.227.2434 | Belk 161 |
| Alyssa Dunn | Executive Assistant | 828.227.2159 | Belk 161 |
| Olivia Tucker | Administrative Support Associate (SET & KSCM) | 828.227.2775 | Belk 220 |
| Jason Ottie | Technology of Instructional Engineering Services (TIES) | 828.227.2748 | Belk 270 |
| Teresa Tate | Marketing & Recruiting Coordinator | 828.227.2161 | Belk 362 |
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