Pathway to engineering degree gets boost from Viterbo-WTC partnership

Those interested in an engineering degree now have a way to save money if they stay in the area.

Western Technical College and Viterbo University has announced a partnership to offer similar courses the first two years. Incoming freshmen can start on the degree at WTC before finishing out at Viterbo.

“Our cost per credit is much lower than any of our other institutions in our area,” Dr. Mike LeDocq of Western said. “Potentially, a student could save thousands of dollars completing their engineering degree by starting at Western first.”

Part of the reason for the program is a way to draw in a more diverse crowd, growing the pool of students who could acquire such a four-year degree.

LeDocq adds that the move came at the request of businesses.

“We’ve gotten a lot of feedback from our local employers saying they’re going to need more engineers in the next 5-10 years,” he said.

Students can begin the program at Western now and have those credits transfer to Viterbo as juniors.

Those students enrolled in the pathway program will complete 64 credits, enrolling in classes such as Basic Engineering Design, Sketching and AutoCAD and Calculus.

Following successful completion of classes at Western, students will transfer, with junior standing, into Viterbo’s new engineering bachelor’s degree program.