One of the strengths of the CEE Department is the diversity of learners in our program, including a strong contingent of post-baccalaureate (or "post-bac") and transfer students. Students who have already earned a regionally accredited bachelor's degree or the equivalent are considered post-baccalaureates. We offer individualized support to ensure you'll succeed in CEE.
Bachelor's or Master's?
Prospective post-bac students should first consider whether a Master’s degree or second Bachelor’s degree is the most appropriate for their situation. If you don’t have an existing degree in engineering or closely related field, a second Bachelor’s degree will likely be the preferred (and shortest) path. Licensure as a professional engineer is generally required for a career in civil or environmental engineering and there are important implications to consider. For more details, please review this our website on "Qualifying for Admission to the Graduate Program without a Bachelor's Degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering".
When seeking a Bachelor's degree, PSU general education requirements are waived for post-bac students with the following exceptions:
- WR 227: Writing as Critical Inquiry (only required for post-bac students who do not hold a degree from an institution where the language of instruction is English)
Transfer Credits
The CEE Department has predetermined course transfer agreements with certain local community colleges. Post-bac students do not need a transfer evaluation conducted by for courses completed at the following community colleges:
- Chemeketa Community College
- Clackamas Community College
- Clark College
- Mt. Hood Community College
- Portland Community College.
The transfer guide for these colleges can be found on the Local Community College Transfer Guide. A minimum of 45 credits must be taken at PSU to award a B.S. degree.
Transfer Analysis
Post-baccalaureate course plans are highly individualized, and some coursework from a prior degree may apply to the BSCE or BSENVE program - however, PSU does not automatically run a transfer analysis on transcripts. After admission to PSU, students who plan to transfer credits from other institutions will need to request a transfer evaluation through an advisor, and provide syllabi for all courses to be reviewed.
Students who completed a degree in a field closely related to civil or environmental engineering should schedule an appointment with the CEE Undergraduate Advisor, Mary Ann Triska, to discuss transferrable credits.
Students who have completed a degree in a field that is not closely related to civil or environmental engineering should schedule an appointment with the Pathway Advisors in MCECS Student Services.
FAQs
How long does it generally take to earn a post-bac BSCE or BSENVE degree?
Depending on your math placement or previous math experience, a student can take between 3 and 4 years to complete a degree if they are able to attend full-time. Once admitted to PSU, you can work with one of our engineering advisors to develop a course plan specific to your experience and needs.
Can I take some courses at community colleges?
Yes, students can complete the lower division (100 and 200 level) math, science, and engineering requirements at PSU or at other local transfer institutions. Upon applying for PSU, please request a transfer analysis from the CEE Undergraduate Advisor or Pathway Advisors to ensure all applicable credits are properly applied to your major requirements.
Do I pay graduate tuition as a post-bac?
Post-bac students are charged the undergraduate tuition rate for all 100-400 level courses at PSU. Graduate tuition rates are applied to all 500 level courses for Post-bac students.
Why can't I register for classes?
The PSU registration system does not always recognize transferred courses when performing prerequisite checks. If this occurs, please complete the CEE Course Override Request Form. Our staff reviews requests with frequency and will be in touch shortly with a response. Be sure to login to your PDX Gmail account to access this form.
Are there any special Financial Aid considerations?
Students should speak directly with the PSU Financial Aid office to find out what their options are.