The applied physics major is recommended for students aiming to go into the workforce after graduation, as well as those who intend to go to grad school for engineering. There is a high degree of flexibility in the choice of advanced courses, and the emphasis is on a practical approach.
Concordia’s physics department offers three dual-degree 3+2 pre-engineering programs in partnership with the at North Dakota State University in Fargo, the at Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana, and the at Washington University in St. Louis.
Students will complete three years of coursework at Concordia, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in applied physics. The next two years of study will be at one of our partnering institutions listed above, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering.
Starting in Fall 2026, pre-engineering students can choose the accelerated 3+3 master’s degree pathway from the at Washington University in St. Louis. After completing a bachelor’s degree in applied physics from Concordia, they will enter WashU (typically after their junior year) to complete an engineering master’s degree in just three years. (The 3+2 dual-degree option resulting in a bachelor’s degree in engineering from WashU is ending after the 2025-26 academic year.)