Program Overview

Manufacturing Engineering Admissions

Admissions Information

Admission to the Manufacturing Engineering major is a two-phase process. After acceptance to Western Washington University, students declare as a Manufacturing pre-major and then apply to the full major once requirements are met.

What is a Pre-Major?

Manufacturing pre-majors must complete a set of foundational courses in math, physics, chemistry, and engineering principles. Depending on when students are able to begin calculus, these foundational courses take up to 5 quarters to complete at Western Washington University. Foundational coursework may also be taken at community colleges or other institutions.

When Do Students Apply to the Major?

The Manufacturing program accepts applications during spring quarter every year. Upper division coursework begins in fall quarter and is restricted to students who have been accepted into the full major.

What is Used to Determine Acceptance to the Major?

Admission to full major status is determined by academic performance in the courses listed below, required short answer questions, and other factors. Neither completion of the foundational courses nor attainment of any specific GPA guarantees admission.

How Many Majors Are Accepted Every Year?

Thirty-two students are typically accepted into the program each year and they begin major courses fall quarter. While admission decisions are based primarily on cumulative GPA in the foundational courses, successful completion of other required major courses, GPA in the major, and overall GPA are also considerations.

Admissions Statistics

Students with a GPA of 3.0 and above are typically admitted, while students with a GPA of 2.5 to 2.99 are strongly encouraged to apply. The Admissions committee considers the overall GPA, grades in any major course, and the required short answer questions. The overall competitiveness of admission depends on the total number of applications received, as well as the general strength of the applicant pool, and it can vary from year to year.

Required Courses to Apply

• ENGR 101 - Engineering, Design, & Society
• ENGR 114 - CAD
• ENGR 115 or 104 or 197D - Intro to Engineering & Design
• ENGR 170 - Intro to Materials Science & Engineering
• ENGR 214 - Statics
• ENGR 225 - Mechanics of Materials
• CHEM 161 - General Chemistry I
• CSCI 141 - Computer Programming
• MATH 124 - Calculus I
• MATH 125 - Calculus II
• MATH 224 - Multivariable Calculus & Geometry
• MATH 204 - Linear Algebra
• MATH 331 - Differential Equations
• MATH 341 or 345 - Statistics
• PHYS 161 - Physics w/ Calculus I
• PHYS 162 - Physics w/ Calculus II
• PHYS 163 - Physics w/Calculus III

Students May Be Currently Enrolled In

Students may be currently enrolled in no more than three of the required courses when they apply for major admission. Students may carry forward two of the italicized courses to the major. A final decision on applications may be delayed until receipt of final grades for in-progress courses. Students must obtain at least a C- in the above courses and an overall GPA in them of 2.0 or higher to be considered.

Recommended Coursework, But Not Required to Apply

• MATH 331 - Differential Equations
• MATH 345 or 341 - Engineering Statistics
• PHYS 163 - Physics w/ Calculus III
• ENGR 225 - Mechanics of Materials

Transfer Students

A student that will be transferring to Western Washington University will be designated as a pre-major and will need to apply to the major. Transfer students who believe they are ready to apply to the MFGE major should reach out to the program for confirmation of eligibility and questions.

Accepted Students

Students who are accepted must register for MFGE 231, MFGE 250, and ENGR 351/352 for fall quarter before the end of Phase II registration. Students who do not register by the end of Phase II registration may lose their major status. Students need to have a plan to complete the following classes by fall quarter junior year: MATH 331, MATH 341/345, PHYS 163, and ENGR 225.