Special Academic Opportunities
Four- and Five-Year BA/MA Programs
The four-year bachelor's/master's programs are designed to enable exceptional undergraduates to earn two degrees simultaneously during their period of study at Brandeis. In the five-year bachelor's/master's program, the bachelor's degree is conferred at the end of the fourth year, and the requirements for a master's degree are satisfied with one additional year of study at the graduate level. Refer to the current University Bulletin for participating programs.
Students who are interested in these opportunities should contact the Undergraduate Advising Head for their department no later than second semester of their sophomore year. Additional information on the regulations for a dual BA/MA program can be found in the University Bulletin.
Columbia University School of Engineering Combined Degree Program
Brandeis University and the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science of Columbia University offer a dual degree program whereby students complete three years of course work for a bachelor's degree (BS or BA) at Brandeis, then spend two years at Columbia University to complete the requirements for a second bachelors degree (BS).
Students who matriculate in Summer 2026 or later now have the ability to major in Engineering Science at Brandeis. This major provides a firm Engineering foundation in many of the subject areas of the Columbia 3+2 program. The Columbia program is best suited for students interested in majoring in subjects unavailable at Brandeis, such as Operations Research and Industrial Engineering. For more information about the Brandeis Engineering Science major, please visit the
website and contact Prof. Jonathan Krones (jskrones@brandeis.edu).
Students interested in the Columbia Combined Degree Program should consult the campus liaison as soon as possible in order to plan their curriculum to meet Columbia prerequisites. Interested candidates must apply to the program in the spring semester of their third year at Brandeis for admission to Columbia University in the subsequent fall semester.
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In order to apply, Brandeis students need to complete:
- all general Brandeis University requirements for graduation,
- choose any major offered at Brandeis and complete all the requirements associated with that major,
- earn a minimum of 96 credits at Brandeis, and
- choose an engineering discipline that will be pursued at Columbia and complete all the foundational, major-specific, and non-technical prerequisite courses associated with this discipline. Although Columbia reviews applications holistically, they recommend that students earn a minimum overall GPA of 3.30 and a B or higher in all prerequisite math and science courses.
These students are eligible to declare a major in Engineering Science at Brandeis. Students interested in pursuing an engineering degree are strongly encouraged to explore this major and to contact Prof. Jonathan Krones (jskrones@brandeis.edu) for more information.
The Columbia 3+2 program is most appropriate for students interested in courses of study unavailable at Brandeis, such as Operations Research and Industrial Engineering. Students pursuing this opportunity should know that admission to the Columbia 3+2 program is not guaranteed, and that they must enter a competitive admissions process, whereby candidates will be reviewed considering overall academic preparation and fit for Columbia. Columbia issues a Curriculum Guide each fall, and we will create a Curriculum Guide equivalent. Columbia recommends that students have a minimum overall GPA of 3.30 and a B or higher in all prerequisite math and science courses. Students apply in their third year at Brandeis, and we anticipate acceptance rates for each engineering track will vary from year to year depending on the applicant pool.
Please note: Engineering courses taken at Brandeis will not count towards the required coursework for the Columbia 3+2 program.
These students are unable to declare a major in Engineering Science at Brandeis, and may apply to the Columbia Combined Plan Program. Students pursuing this opportunity should know that admission to the Columbia 3+2 program is not guaranteed, and that they must enter a competitive admissions process, whereby candidates will be reviewed considering overall academic preparation and fit for Columbia. Columbia issues a Curriculum Guide each fall, and we will create a Curriculum Guide equivalent. Columbia recommends that students have a minimum overall GPA of 3.30 and a B or higher in all prerequisite math and science courses. Students apply in their third year at Brandeis, and we anticipate acceptance rates for each engineering track will vary from year to year depending on the applicant pool.
Curriculum Guide
Students should refer to the Curriculum Guide below with Brandeis equivalent courses for the academic year they entered Brandeis. This guide will outline which courses need to be taken at Brandeis to be considered for admission. We have also created a planning worksheet that is helpful for students, which is included on the last page of the Curriculum Guide.
FAQs
The Columbia program has compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions.
Official Program Liaison
Students should contact Brian Koslowski for further information.
Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering Certificate in Engineering
Olin College offers a five-course Certificate in Engineering for students at Brandeis as part of a special collaboration. This certificate is not equivalent to an engineering degree, but represents a substantial investment in engineering courses that could help students pursue a wider field of postgraduate opportunities in industry or graduate school. The courses of study are designed to provide the student with a fundamental understanding of an engineering field, and typically consist of courses ranging from introductory engineering courses to advanced courses. One of the five courses may be an approved Brandeis course with the remaining four taken through cross-registration at Olin.
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Engineering Design
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Materials Engineering
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Bioengineering
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Electrical and Computer Engineering
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Mechanical Engineering
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Engineering Systems