3-2 engineering program? Good idea or just a joke?

<p>I'll be attending Fordham University in the fall, and I'm looking at their engineering program. Its a bachelor's degree in physics from Fordham and then a degree in applied physics from Columbia university. What I'm wondering is if the physics degree from Fordham would be highly regarded or just be looked at as a Pre-engineering degree for the Columbia one. Anyone know about how these "pre-professional" degrees, as they're called, fair in the job market and for graduate school admission? I just don't want to be fooled into thinking I'll be coming out with this great resume and then find out the money wasn't worth it.</p>

<p>It is what it is. It will look like a physics degree from Fordham. It will not look like a pre-engineering degree for Columbia. The program gives you two degrees, each of which hold as much weight as if they were obtained on their own.</p>

<p>I say its not a joke, but not worth it. For the same investment (time and money), you could just get your physics degree from Fordham and then do a 1-year masters in engineering at a number of schools. At least here, there is a 1-year Masters of Engineering where a physics degree is almost always acceptable as far as gaining admission for most disciplinary areas. Caltech and MIT offer 1-year MS/SM degrees, too. Princeton offers a 1-year MEng. </p>

<p>So, in 5 years, you get a BA in Physics from Fordham and a masters in engineering from the school of your choosing. Or you can not get to spend your senior year with all your friends from undergrad and spend 5 years for a BA in physics and a BS in engineering. Seems like a rather easy choice...</p>

<p>Oh, and thats without mentioning the fact that you'd be able to test out your job prospects before getting roped into extra years of study. If, with just you BA in physics, you get a job that you want, then you have that option. The 3-2 program wouldn't allow that.</p>

<p>2 bachelor's degrees is not the best route to take. If you really want the 3+2 program for engineering, I would say do the Columbia degree in an engineering major and not applied physics. Generally, a bachelor's degree and a master's degree are better than 2 bachelor's degrees and can be completed in the same time. Many schools have 5 year B.S./M.S. programs and as live- mentioned, there are 1 year master's programs. You could also get the bachelor's degree at Fordham and then consider starting your career or graduate school for a master's degree. Doing the standard bachelor's and master's degrees would usually take 6 years-less if you take summer classes or already have credits.</p>