Introducing the Integrated Business and Engineering Bachelor’s Program

Valpo’s College of Engineering is partnering with the College of Business to offer an interdisciplinary bachelor’s degree program for students interested in both subjects, beginning fall 2019. The integrated business and engineering degree will prepare students for a multitude of careers on the business side of technical companies or for graduate studies in areas like business administration and project management.

There is a growing need for graduates who can combine creative thinking with technical knowledge. A recent study from Burning Glass Technologies reported that jobs that utilize both creative thinking and analytical problem solving represent some of the fastest growing and highest paying occupations. Additionally, these positions are less likely to become automated by machines or programs, indicating job security. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows a solid job outlook as well, with a projected 7% percent increase in jobs from 2016 to 2026.

The program will feature coursework in business, engineering, math, science, and general education. Students are able to earn up to two minors, one in engineering and one in business. Dedicated faculty in the College of Business and College of Engineering are well prepared to educate students in the classroom and beyond. Valparaiso University is one of only a handful of universities nationwide to offer an integrated degree in business and engineering, creating an opportunity to recruit and enroll a new group of students seeking this unique pathway.

Upon graduation, students will be ready to start a career in such areas as technical sales, business development, technical support, brand management, application engineering, production planning, operations analysis and management, purchasing, project management, and plant accounting.

The College of Engineering also recently introduced an engineering PLUS program, designed to allow students to graduate from one of its bachelor’s degree programs in four years and supplement their major degree with a desirable complementary major or minor by adding 9 credit hours of coursework in the summer between their freshman and sophomore years. And, the College of Business has recently launched programs in supply chain and logistics management as well as aviation.