School of Engineering

About the school

The Catholic University of America was set up in 1887. It is a privately owned Catholic university in Washington, DC. The Catholic University of America - School of Engineering began in 1930, although the first engineering programme started here in 1896, shortly after the university was founded.

The Catholic University of America’s School of Engineering aims to nurture students' minds to use their technical knowledge and analytical skills to create engineering solutions that serve humanity. Students can expect a personalised research and learning environment, focused classes, more significant interaction between students and teachers, and a supportive faculty assisting students to be future leaders in the engineering world.

Where is the school located?

Life at the School of Engineering

The Catholic University of America’s School of Engineering provides exceptional facilities and assistance to graduate students for conducting extensive research, imbibing excellent learning outcomes from professional programmes, and fostering internship and employment opportunities. The institute also offers students a supportive community where wellness, safety, and personal growth are priorities.

• Housing Housing services at the institute offer the students various on-campus options, including conventional residence halls with access to a shared community kitchen and bathroom. The housing options are assigned to students on a first-come, first-served basis. When students want to opt for off-campus housing options in Washington, D.C., they can get assistance via a search portal.

• Meals From sushi, bagels, pizza, burritos, and take-out options to dine-in options, international students can discover an extensive selection of culinary choices provided by Dining Services at Catholic University. Additionally, diverse meal plans cater to various preferences and needs.

• Transportation There is no shortage of conveyance facilities at the school:

Bike racks are distributed across campus, with an expanding network The Metropolitan Branch Trail along John McCormack Road connects Fort Totten Metro, Catholic University, and the surrounding area The campus shuttle operates on weekdays with a set route and on-demand pickups Capital Bikeshare offers bikes at various stations, including the campus entrance CUA is accessible via Metrobus routes and the Brookland/CUA Metrorail stop Reservable vans are available for official university use The SmartBenefits programme provides transit and parking cost savings A TransitScreen displays real-time transportation information ZipCar, with reduced fees, is offered for car sharing on campus

Additional benefits of studying at the School of Engineering

In addition to academics, students can partake in cultural, social, and intellectual activities like theatre visits and art museum trips. On-campus involvement includes joining Engineers Without Borders, a humanitarian organisation, and participating in the student-led Student Mentoring Programme.

Its strategic location near Washington, D.C.'s Metro Red Line grants convenient access to prominent government labs and engineering firms like NASA, the National Science Foundation, and the National Institutes of Health.

Admissions criteria

The university's master's degree requirements apply to all programmes in the School of Engineering, except for foreign language competency and comprehensive examination. The minimum requirement for eligibility for a specific programme is completing an approved study programme, which should be at least inclusive of 30 semester credit hours. Based on their criteria, some programmes may need the semester credit hours to go above 30. Two options are available:

Non-thesis option: Achieve required credit hours through coursework Thesis option: Write an approved thesis after receiving topic approval and earn six credit hours. This count is added to the required semester credit hours for a programme

Application Requirements:

Evaluation of English Proficiency through a language test. The acceptable test scores are as follows: TOEFL 580 (paper-based) or 237 (computer-based)
Unofficial transcripts, to be considered during the assessment process Submission of official transcripts from prior educational institutions Online application with no associated application fee

Recommended documents in support of the application:

Statement of professional goals Curriculum vitae (CV) or resume One letter of recommendation

(An electronic recommendation form will be forwarded directly to the individual designated by the student as their recommender through the application.)

Costs:

Those planning to come to the U.S. for studies at The Catholic University of America and require University sponsorship for F-1 or J-1 status need to demonstrate their capacity to finance the expenses associated with their education Full-time and part-time students in this engineering school can expect the cost to be approximately $1,850/credit hour

Job placements

The School of Engineering focuses on equipping students with both technical and soft skills for successful engineering careers. The coursework emphasises working on real projects to hone engineering skills and essential abilities like communication and teamwork.

The college faculty and alumni provide networking opportunities, internships, and research experiences. Whether in D.C. or nationwide, engineering internships are encouraged to gain hands-on experience.

The Catholic University Centre for Academic and Career Success aids in connecting students with employers for internships and jobs, providing interview preparation and networking support. Employer presentations are also organised for students seeking career opportunities.

Every Friday during the semester, the School of Engineering arranges employer presentations targeting engineering students looking for internships or permanent employment opportunities after graduation. As per 2018–2020 data, 70% of students sought employment after their engineering studies.