Pre-Engineering

Pre-Engineering

Complete OCC's Pre-Engineering Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree! Become an Engineer.  

The Pre-Engineering program provides students with the academic foundation needed for transfer to a bachelor’s degree program in engineering science. OCC offers three engineering focus areas – Electrical/Computer, Mechanical/Civil, and Other option. 

Take a deep dive into the engineering field. 

Register for National Signing Day 2025

Are you starting this program in Fall of 2025? If so, you qualify to participate in OCC’s National Signing Day.  Be celebrated, meet faculty and students, sign your letter of intent, get OCC branded merch. Sign up today. Registration closes April 1.

An In-Demand Career with Good Pay 

Overall engineering jobs are projected to grow 4 percent over the next 4 years. Employees retiring and growth in this area is contributing to this increase. This will result in around 200,900 openings each year. This is according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting. Explore local jobs.

Job Market Outlook

Get Started in Engineering Quicker

Students who complete the degree are well qualified to work at an entry level position within the electrical, mechanical, computer, or industrial industry, and should consider applying for summer employment to gain practical experience. 
 
By registering with Handshake, you can get access to job postings in the community. Use your OCC student ID and password to register.

Go on to Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree

Save almost half your engineering degree cost. We offer you more engineering courses than other similar programs. Universities that have a formal articulation with OCC allow for more than 62 credits to be transferred and accepted into their engineering programs. 
 
Meet certain universities’ GPA requirements and qualify for their transfer scholarships. 

This program has transfer agreements in place with several of the top 4-year programs in Michigan.  

Some or all Pre-Engineering courses transfer to the following universities (and others): 
  • Kettering University
  • Lawrence Technological University
  • Michigan State University
  • Oakland University
  • University of Detroit – Mercy
  • University of Michigan – Dearborn
  • University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
  • Wayne State University 
Students are strongly encouraged to work with an advisor at the desired transfer institution and an OCC counselor to select courses that will maximize transferability. Some 4-year universities will accept upwards of 80+ transfer credits and Pre-Engineering students should strongly consider taking the maximum number of transferable credits at OCC prior to transferring.

Students must meet the requirements set by the institution to which they plan on transferring to. Completing the Pre-Engineering degree does not guarantee acceptance at another college or university.
Did you know?

Become an Engineer: Rewarding Credentials & Plan Opportunities 

It’s the perfect time to begin your journey to become an engineer, and we’re here to help. Whatever your age or experience, we teach you what you need to know to be successful in a 4-year program. 

Pre-Engineering Program Directory, James O'Connor, writing out equations on a whiteboard

Associate Degree 

Learn what you need to know about pre-engineering by earning an associate degree. With it comes opportunities to continue your education at a 4-year institution and earn a bachelor's degree. 

Degree Program 

Depending on the track you select, if you go full-time you can earn an Associate Degree in four semesters.

Program Plans 

The Other Option includes students pursuing degrees in Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Embedded Systems Engineering and others disciplines. Students falling under this category should consult with their desired 4-year university and determine which additional courses from the following disciplines are transferable: CIS,  BIO, CHE, and additional MAT courses.

For more information and to find out what program is best suited for you, speak with James O’Connor, the Program Director. 

Let’s Go! 

Ready to begin your studies? Get started now:  

  • Apply to OCC. If you’re not already an OCC student, create a profile and complete our online application. 
  • On the application select the degree program ‘Pre-Engineering’. 
  • Existing OCC students can update their academic program using the Change of Program Form.