Pre-Engineering Program

      

LAUNCH YOUR ENGINEERING CAREER AT DMACC

With DMACC's small class sizes, free tutoring, affordable tuition, and seamless credit transfer DMACC will help you launch your pre engineering career. You can take Iowa State University's Engineering Basic Program at DMACC, 32 credit hours that make up the entire first year regardless of the engineering discipline you plan to pursue. Or you can choose to complete your Associate in Science (AS) degree at DMACC before you transfer by completing 64 credit hours.

Not planning to attend Iowa State University? Many of these same DMACC classes transfer to the University of Iowa, or other engineering schools. Physics, Calculus, English, etc…these are core classes at any engineering college…. that you can take at DMACC.

The engineering field includes a wide range of opportunities for people who are mathematically and scientifically inclined. DMACC's class sizes are often smaller than those at colleges and universities that offer engineering programs, providing a high level of support while building the foundation for your academic and professional career.

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About the Program:

Career Examples
What You'll Do
Core Job Skills
Average Salary

Pre-Engineering Career Examples

  • Industrial Engineer
  • Mechanical Engineer
  • Civil Engineer
  • Electrical Engineer
  • Agricultural Engineer
  • And many others​

What You'll Do

  • Make decisions and solve problems
  • Analyze data or information
  • Think creatively
  • Communicate
  • Update and use relevant knowledge
  • Monitor processes, materials, or surroundings

Core Job Skills

  • Analytical thinking
  • Attention to detail
  • Innovation
  • Dependability
  • Cooperation

Average Salary (Iowa)

  • $72,000 per year

EXPLORE MORE PROGRAMS:

Advanced Manufacturing

Applied Engineering Technology

Robotics

CAD Technology

Civil Engineering Technology
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Welding

Tool & Die

Water Environmental Technology

Electronics Engineering Technology

Architectural Technologies

Pre-Engineering

FIND YOUR BEST FIT, TAKE THE QUIZ

    ​Student Testimonials

    Drew, ​Engineering Major
    Plans to transfer to Iowa State University to pursue construction engineering
    Going to DMACC to fulfill the general education classes that every engineering student needs is one of the College’s best-kept secrets. Smaller classes give you a chance to get a good foundation and build confidence that you will succeed. I also saved a lot of money by going to DMACC. The communication between DMACC and Iowa State is top-notch. It is so easy, whether it’s sending transcripts or transferring credits. All of the classes directly link to classes at ISU. It makes it very easy and a lot less stressful.

    ​The Honors Program is a great way to show learning by doing projects. It provides challenge and an opportunity for critical thinking. It’s a good resume-builder. Professor Nancy Woods is so hands-on. She genuinely cares about her students, nothing like I had ever experienced. She’s always working to provide students with opportunities like research and scholarships… just to get us ahead.

    Axl, ​​Engineering Major
    Plans to transfer to Iowa State University and pursue civil engineering with an environmental focus
    I’m a first-generation college student. At DMACC, it’s nice to have program-specific counselors and academic advisors who know what they’re talking about. They know what classes you should be taking to get your degree and to transfer.

    After my parents moved to Iowa from southern California, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. Friends told me: ‘DMACC’s a good school. You should try it.’ I didn’t know what program to pursue. I earned good grades in STEM classes and knew I wanted to do something environmental - or renewable-focused. With advice from DMACC professors, I decided engineering is best place for me. I’m glad I listened. It’s changed my perspective on school.

    ​I like DMACC’s small classes. I have one-on-one relationships with many of my professors.
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A conversation with Grace Oviatt... a DMACC graduate who transferred to ISU and earned a degree in Engineering.

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Tell us about yourself, your journey to DMACC, and what you’ve done since?

I am currently 26. I enrolled at DMACC after some internal debating. I graduated a year early and was thinking of potentially going to ISU to study engineering. Because of some financial issues though, I decided DMACC might make more sense to me.  They have a dual enrollment program with ISU. I attended the Boone Campus because it was close ISU. I lived in Ames and commuted. It was an awesome situation. I tried out for the cross-country team and ended up receiving a scholarship. DMACC has a ton of different scholarships to apply for. Financially it made so much sense for me.

My ISU engineering advisor told me the strongest engineering students were those who went to DMACC first. DMACC’s science and math professors were just unbelievable. They took time to make sure I had the foundation I needed to be successful when going on to ISU’s program. I went to DMACC for a year-and-a-half. I didn’t earn an AA degree, but I was ready to transfer to ISU. At ISU, I majored in Industrial Engineering and minored in engineering sales. I graduated in 2016 and have been working for TraneTM, a commercial Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) manufacturer, helping to  design and sell HVAC equipment all over the state of Iowa. Trane is located in Des Moines. The company hadn’t hired a sales engineer in about 10 years. I was the first female hired in this position. I credit a lot of that to DMACC. The classes and teachers there set me up for success.

What do you want others to know about your experience at DMACC? Why should they consider enrolling?

The teachers at DMACC made ALL the difference. They care so much about their students and want to see them succeed. Personal attention is something you can get always get at a university. I had a professor who went above and beyond – Nancy Woods, a physics professor in Boone. She sought me out for a scholarship she thought I’d be good at and I received, and she edited my papers. She has done that for many other students as well. She’s had students apply for and win scholarships all over the US. Finances aside, you won’t find a better faculty committed to see you succeed. I ended up on a full-ride to ISU because of the attention DMACC faculty gave me.

What are the three things that you feel make DMACC the go-to-college-of choice?

I would say:

  • Individual attention
  • Faculty
  • The price tag…the opportunity to get an amazing education for an affordable cost is unbelievable.

What do you think are some people’s misconceptions of DMACC?

Because it’s a community college, some people think it’s easier or that people are going there because they couldn’t go anyplace else. The fact is that you’re able to succeed because you have so much attention and so much help. My ISU advisor told me the strongest engineers come out of DMACC because the faculty is able to take time with you and teach the fundamentals. Some also think you won’t have the college experience at DMACC. But, you absolutely do. I met some of my lifelong friends who I cherish there. I had a complete blast and loved my time there. You can do both there especially if you live in Ames and attend DMACC’s Boone Campus.

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