Senior Peter Hatfield wants to be an engineer. Although the University of Richmond does not offer the option to major in engineering, students like Hatfield can begin entry into that field of study by participating in the pre-engineering program.

“There are two paths into engineering from UR, the combined dual-degree program with Columbia or getting a master’s degree or Ph.D. in engineering after receiving the UR bachelor’s,” said physics professor Jack Singal, who serves as the University’s pre-engineering advisor.

Dual Degree with Columbia University

The dual-degree program with Columbia began in 2002 and offers a 5- or 6-year option, meaning students can complete their degree in a major of their choosing at Richmond in three or four years before earning a second bachelor’s in engineering at Columbia in two years. While at Richmond, they fulfill the requirements for the Richmond degree and prerequisites for admission into the Columbia School of Engineering and Applied Science. They must maintain a B average or better in their pre-engineering science or math classes while at UR. An overall GPA of 3.3 or better is highly recommended.

“Initially, I came to UR with the plan to do finance, but I always knew I was interested in engineering,” Hatfield said. “So, when I came across the program, I thought it would be a good fit.”

He hopes to get a job in electrical engineering and then use his math-econ degree and experience to move into the business world. “I believe the technical knowledge and problem-solving skills that arise in engineering are somewhat missing in the business world. In my mind, someone who knows both the business side and the production/technical sides would be an asset to any company,” Hatfield said.

While the 3-2 program made the most financial sense, he chose the 4-2 because he wanted the traditional undergraduate experience. “It was hard to comprehend leaving all my friends a year early and not being a part of all the ceremonies and other activities with them,” he said.

Thirty-seven students have received dual degrees from UR and Columbia since the program began. Math major and physics minor Ziyi “Michael” Wang is in New York studying applied math through the 3-2 program. He will receive his degrees from both UR and Columbia in Spring 2026.

“I wanted to try a different college format since UR is a liberal arts college, whereas Columbia is a relatively large university with many master’s and Ph.D. students. And it’s in New York, so I might be closer to the job market and opportunities,” he said.

Graduate Studies in Engineering

Students at UR aiming for master’s or doctorate degrees in engineering can also benefit from pre-engineering advisement.

Daniel Kliebhan, a 2024 alum who majored in physics and minored in mathematics, is currently attending Durham University in England, pursuing a master’s degree in biomedical engineering. His current university is significantly larger — approximately 20,000 students — and he often reflects on his time with the Richmond physics staff.

“In many of my engineering classes, the purpose is to learn how to do things and less about how they work or a deep understanding of things,” he said. “When I studied physics at UR, there was a higher value on understanding how things work and how equations are derived.”

Kliebhan mentioned that the smaller class sizes at UR allowed him to receive more personal assistance when he needed it. 

Students benefit from their experience at UR. "They have a liberal arts background providing them unique perspectives and insight into how their engineering fits into the world," said physics chair Christine Helms. "In addition to the breadth of their education, they also receive excellent preparation in math and science courses and great research opportunities."