The Joint NCSU/UNCA Engineering Programs combine expertise from faculty with diverse backgrounds to deliver an undergraduate education immersed in liberal arts traditions. This unique partnership allows students to choose between two Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree pathways: the mechatronics program or the 2+2 engineering program.
Discover more about the engineering programs offered by NC State and UNC Asheville, including admissions requirements and frequently asked questions.
At a Glance
Top 200
–U.S. News & World Report, 2024 Best Colleges
$75,000
100%
SpaceX, Tesla, BorgWarner
Why Study Engineering Jointly With UNC Asheville & NC State?
Explore the Joint Programs – Which Engineering Program is Right for You?
Mechatronics Engineering
The mechatronics major, offered jointly with NC State, takes place fully on UNC Asheville’s campus. Faculty from both universities instruct students on the principles of electrical, mechanical, and computer engineering, blending a liberal arts tradition with the foundations of the discipline. Students graduate with a joint degree from NC State and UNC Asheville. The goal of the program is to produce broadly educated engineers who effectively contribute to the diverse and global modern world.
Pros of the Mechatronics Degree
- Spend more time on our vibrant Asheville campus
- Utilize our state-of-the-art labs
- Develop a diverse skill set sought after by employers
- An interdisciplinary degree to match real-world needs
2+2 Engineering
Students who pursue their engineering degree via the Joint 2+2 Program choose between 14 program areas to concentrate their studies. In the program, students complete the first one or two years of engineering curriculum at UNC Asheville before transferring to NC State to finish their education in two or three more years at NCSU College of Engineering in Raleigh. Since its establishment in 1982, 420 students have transferred and graduated with a joint engineering degree from NC State.
Note that this is not a guarantee of transfer admittance to NCSU, and students are expected to meet NCSU’s transfer requirements to gain acceptance.
This pathway is an ideal choice for those who have not already completed engineering-related courses that qualify for transfer. Those with significant transferable engineering credits should consider applying directly to NC State.
Pros of the 2+2 Engineering Degree
- Start your education at UNC Asheville — close to home and in the mountains
- Learn about different types of engineering before having to commit to one major
- Earn transfer credit for engineering foundation courses with small class sizes
- Earn credit for early NCSU engineering courses while at UNC Asheville, which helps with transfer credibility
Hear From Our Students
“UNC Asheville gives you the freedom to make what you want of its resources. It helped me build award-winning robots + homebrewed electric race cars from scratch … You’re going to be given hard problems, but it’s up to you to take what you can find and meet your deliverables.”
Robert Brenneman
UNC Asheville’s STEAM Studio presented an exhibition featuring a diverse collection of STEAM Studio works “6 years in the making,” intersecting science, engineering, art, and math.
“I knew coming out of high school I liked engineering, but I didn’t exactly know what industry I wanted to work in,” he says. “This work gave me a glimpse of the future. It helped affirm for me that I want to apply engineering to something that benefits the world. Using engineering to better the environment seems like a noble way to spend your life.”
Trevor Goldston, Class of ’25
Asheville is a small town where you can go downtown for an evening or go hiking for an afternoon. It’s a great place nestled in the mountains with a lot of energy between the town and the university environment.”
Robert Brenneman, Class of ’23
“I have known that I wanted to work in space exploration for a long time, so I hope to one day either be a driving force in space exploration or to even be in space.”
Halle Theriault, Class of ’24
Admissions Requirements
Both the mechatronics engineering program and the 2+2 program present exciting opportunities for an enriching education packed with hands-on learning experiences. Consider your academic interests and career goals as you determine which program is the best fit.
Mechatronics Admissions
Prospective mechatronics students should apply to UNC Asheville and express an interest in engineering. By doing so, we can assign an academic advisor and ensure enrollment in the correct classes. Upon completion of the requirements, students may declare their major as mechatronics in the Joint NCSU/UNC Asheville Engineering Program.
We accept transfer credits from other universities, majors, and community colleges as appropriate. Many courses from NC community colleges are transferable, but we urge students to take care in selecting applicable courses for the mechatronics curriculum. We strongly recommend reaching out to the Joint Engineering Program Associate Director to discuss transfer credit options.
2+2 Engineering Admissions
There is no special admission process to the 2+2 Program at UNC Asheville — 2+2 students begin at UNC Asheville with normal UNC Asheville student status. Simply apply to UNC Asheville to get started.
It is important, however, that students state their interest in engineering as early as possible. We highly suggest that students do this on the UNC Asheville admission application or on the form for the Registrar’s Office after acceptance of the offer of admission. By notifying us of interest in the 2+2 program, we can appropriately assign an academic advisor and ensure enrollment in the correct classes.
Tuition
Students pay tuition and fees to UNC Asheville for the time they are taking courses on the UNC Asheville campus. Students who transfer into the 2+2 program pay NC State tuition and fees once they move to the Raleigh campus.
Program FAQs
Start Your Journey Toward a Career in Engineering
The Joint NCSU/UNC Asheville Engineering Programs offer an exciting opportunity to immerse yourself in an engineering discipline while experiencing a liberal arts education. Learn from faculty experts at NC State and UNC Asheville as you prepare for a future in the field.
Have questions about the program or don’t know which path is right for you? Request information or contact the Joint NCSU/UNC Asheville Engineering Program Director for assistance.
