How Dual Enrollment Offers a Flexible Approach to Engineering Studies

Even with AI changing how almost every industry approaches math and science, there’s still a need for talented, inspired engineers to solve complex problems. Will your student be one of them?

Perhaps you’ve already researched and even received conflicting advice on how to go about setting your student on the right path. Should they go directly into a STEM program? Get a liberal arts start? No matter which of the options you decide upon, dual enrollment can help you get there with more certainty and a lower overall tuition bill than more traditional methods.

Here are a few options for your student, along with how dual enrollment fills in the gaps.

Four-Year Engineering Path: Direct and Intensive

If your student chooses an engineering program at a state university or similar, they may see the most direct route to an engineering career. These programs are typically ABET-certified (check to be sure) and prepare students for immediate entry into the workforce upon graduation.

Courses are structured, focused primarily on math and science, and begin with Calculus I or similar. Students may have to take pre-calculus or trigonometry before they enroll, and they often don’t get as much exposure to literature or the arts as other majors might. Depending on the engineering focus (civil vs. chemical, for example), they will take more chemistry, physics, electronics, or materials science courses. 

Pros: ABET-accredited programs meet professional standards and get access to labs, equipment, and materials unique to their focus. Co-ops, if the student gets accepted to one, offer exposure to real-life engineering scenarios.

Cons: Because these programs have so many prerequisites and focus solely on engineering topics, students must know early on if they want to be an engineer. It’s very difficult to change study paths once underway. Demanding coursework and limited flexibility can be stressful for even high-achieving students, making this path best for only the most committed. 

The Liberal Arts Science Path: Flexibility with Focus

A liberal arts education with a science focus provides a broader educational foundation while still preparing students for STEM careers or graduate programs. This approach offers greater flexibility for students who are interested in science but want to keep their options open.

Liberal arts science programs typically require students to complete coursework across multiple disciplines while concentrating in a specific science area. Common science concentrations include:

• Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics
• Environmental Science, Earth Science
• Biochemistry, Biophysics
• Data Science, Computer Science

These programs often require fewer specialized prerequisites than engineering programs, allowing students more time to explore their interests. Students typically complete general education requirements in humanities, social sciences, and arts alongside their science coursework.

Pros: The liberal arts model complements a classical education model of homeschooling and develops critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills valued across many careers. This path offers multiple exit points and career options. Graduates can pursue graduate school in various STEM fields, professional programs (medicine, law), or careers that value analytical thinking and communication skills. The broader education also prepares students for interdisciplinary careers that combine science with policy, communication, or business.

Cons: Because many liberal arts programs aren’t ABET-accredited, students may still need to complete extra coursework to qualify for certification to work as engineers in many states. That’s why some colleges only refer to their programs as “pre-engineering” or as the core science explored during the four years (Chemistry, for example.) Students may spend more years in school – and ultimately, more money – taking this path over the direct engineering program offered by many state schools. 

How Dual Enrollment Supports Both Paths

Students can use dual enrollment to complete general education requirements early, freeing up valuable time and course slots once they reach college. If a student chooses a rigorous engineering program, having composition, fine arts, and foreign language credits already completed means they can dive directly into core engineering coursework from day one. For students pursuing liberal arts science degrees, these same credits provide a solid foundation and head start toward graduation.

Dual enrollment also allows students to tackle essential math and science prerequisites before college. Completing courses like statistics, chemistry, or biology in high school means students enter their chosen program better prepared and potentially ahead of schedule.

Testing the Waters Without Full Commitment

College-level coursework gives students a realistic preview of academic expectations and rigor. This experience helps students determine whether they have the interest and aptitude to focus intensively on STEM subjects throughout their college years. Students can discover their true passion for engineering or science before making a full four-year commitment to these demanding fields.

Reducing Risk and Cost

Dual enrollment serves as a safety net against choosing the wrong major. Students who find advanced math or science more challenging than expected can adjust their college plans accordingly, rather than struggling through an engineering program that may not be the right fit.

Financially, dual enrollment makes practical sense. Prerequisites and general education courses can significantly increase the cost of early college semesters. By completing these requirements in high school, students can reduce both the time and expense of earning their degree.

The Bottom Line for STEM Students

For those uncertain about their career direction, dual enrollment provides a low-risk opportunity to experience college-level STEM courses. Students can gauge their interest in advanced mathematics and science before committing to a specific four-year program. Also, research shows that dual enrollment STEM courses increase student interest in STEM careers. This early exposure helps students make more informed decisions about their college majors and career path.

New for fall 2025, Briar Cliff University (BCU) offers the best of both worlds – a supportive private, liberal arts environment and a rigorous ABET-accredited degree program. Thanks to their partnership with University of North Dakota, students can enroll with BCU and take advantage of all it has to offer, while completing an UND engineering curriculum online. Better yet? BCU is a TEL Education partner school, so your highschooler can start earning BCU transcript credits they can later use for their engineering degree – if they choose that route!

Ready to get started? See our full catalog of BCU course options.

Looking for more resources? Be sure to check out the rest of our homeschool dual enrollment articles!