Transfer Students
Welcome to Western Washington University’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering! We’re excited that you’re considering joining our community, or that you’ve already decided to continue your journey with us. Transfer students are an essential part of our program, and we know that making the move to a new university can feel both exciting and overwhelming. Our goal is to make your transition as smooth as possible so you can focus on what matters most: your education and future career.
We strongly encourage you to familiarize yourself with degree requirements early, so you can make the most of the credits you’ve already earned and stay on track toward graduation. Whether you are still exploring your options or are already admitted and ready to begin, this page will give you the tools you need to get started with confidence.
How our program is different
Unlike many engineering programs in the State of Washington where students may not begin their engineering coursework until the third year, Western’s Electrical and Computer Engineering program introduces students to engineering courses in their first and second years. This structure gives students earlier exposure to the discipline and more time to build hands-on skills in labs and projects. Because community colleges generally do not offer these specialized courses, most transfer students enter our program on a “2+3” path, spending three years at Western after completing their prerequisites. While this can pose planning challenges, it also means transfer students gain deeper engagement with faculty, more time for internships and research, and a stronger foundation for professional success.
Questions? Want to meet?
Prospective students and transfer students are encouraged to contact EECE@wwu.edu with advising questions, or schedule a meeting with our pre-major advisor (in-person or virtual).
Major-Ready Pathways for EECE
In order to complete the EECE degree in three years at WWU, transfer students should complete the following course equivalencies prior to arriving at WWU:
| Subject | WWU Course Number | Common Course Number |
|---|---|---|
| Calculus I | MATH 124 | MATH& 151 |
| Calculus II | MATH 125 | MATH& 152 |
| Linear Algebra | MATH 204 | (varies) |
| (Calculus-based) Physics I | PHYS 161 | PHYS& 221 |
| (Calculus-based) Physics II | PHYS 162 | PHYS& 222 (see CCN note below) |
| Programming | CSCI 141 | CS& 131 or 141 |
| Circuits | EECE 111 | ENGR& 204 |
In addition, it is highly recommended that transfer students also take (Calculus-based) Physics III prior to arrival at WWU, which is PHYS 163 at WWU (typically equivalent to PHYS& 223).
While the Common Course Numbers (CCNs) used by community and technical colleges in Washington are listed above for convenience, there can be variation so please use the Transfer Equivalency Guide tool to determine whether the courses at a particular college are indeed equivalent to the required WWU courses. For example, at some colleges (including Centralia College, Pierce College, Skagit Valley College, South Puget Sound CC, and Whatcom CC), the CCN equivalent to Western's PHYS 162 is instead PHYS& 223.
A note about EECE 111 - Circuit Analysis
While many circuits courses at community colleges in the State of Washington require Calculus III as a prerequisite, WWU's EECE 111 circuits course does not. Because EECE 111 is usually offered remotely over the summer at WWU, it may be more efficient for some students to take EECE 111 at WWU the summer right before planning to transfer to WWU if they have the other 6 classes completed.
Have additional space in your schedule?
If you have room in your schedule prior to transferring and want to get a jump on your studies, the highest priority would be taking Physics III (PHYS 163-equivalent) as mentioned above. Beyond that, students with space in their schedules could consider taking a course equivalent to MATH 224 (Calculus III), MATH 331 (Differential Equations), or an additional math or basic science course (such as Calc IV or Chem I).
Transfer Process
There are three steps in the transfer process:
- Apply to WWU.
- After acceptance to WWU, declare as an EECE Pre-Major. Optionally, you may also want to schedule a meeting with the Pre-Major Advisor to discuss your plan of study and transferred courses.
- Apply to the EECE major. Please note that applications are accepted in early June and mid-August. At the time of application, the seven required pre-major courses listed above must be completed or in-progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
The answer to this question is very individual and dependent on so many things. The EECE major accepts applications in early June and mid-August for fall entry into the EECE major. It is strongly recommended to speak to the department about your particular plan; see the contact information above to book a meeting with an advisor or email us.
Assuming you have completed all of the pre-major classes listed above, and you are accepted into the EECE major, expect to spend three years at WWU, as most of the required coursework is not offered at other institutions.
We do not directly admit students into the EECE major, so transfer students must follow the three steps listed above in the Transfer Process section. As shown, students may apply to the major after they've been admitted to the university and after they've completed all of the required foundational courses.
While many Electrical and Computer Engineering programs in the State of Washington require Calculus III prior to being admitted to the major, EECE at WWU does not require this course before applying to the major. Most of our students take Calc III during their first year in the major.
EECE 111 is generally offered over the WWU summer session in the remote format. Many transfer students take this course the summer before starting at WWU. These students typically apply to the major during the August major application cycle.
An Associate in Science Transfer (AS-T) degree is the most efficient degree to pursue at the community college level because the plan of study most matches the foundation courses in our department. It is recommended but not necessary to complete the degree before transferring to WWU.
Transfer students should note that having a completed DTA or AS-T degree does not automatically mean they will be able to complete a program in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department in two years. What is most important for students planning to transfer to Western is to successfully complete required major prerequisite and core coursework that will transfer to Western and can be counted towards major requirements. See Advising links below.
For students transferring from Washington community colleges and public baccalaureate institutions in Washington, Western's Transfer Course Equivalency Guide is a useful tool for assessing what coursework will transfer directly to Western.
Note: While some math and science courses may be not transfer directly, our department may still accept them for major requirements. Contact the pre-major advisor for assistance using the contact information listed at the top of this webpage.
Out of state and private in-state institutions have not been evaluated for their courses and how they transfer to WWU. If you would like our department to take a look at an engineering course(s) you are transferring in to determine equivalency please email the department at EECE@wwu.edu. Please include the course syllabus with your request.