California Community Colleges
Engineering Programs
Engineering and pre-engineering programs at community colleges in this state. Calculus, physics, and intro engineering for transfer to four-year programs.
62 colleges · 526 sections · 231 unique courses · Fall 2026 · Updated today
Two distinct engineering pathways run through California community colleges: the transfer-track pre-engineering associate that articulates to a bachelor's in mechanical, electrical, or civil engineering at a four-year school, and the engineering-technology associate (AAS) that prepares students directly for industrial-tech, manufacturing-engineering-tech, and CAD-drafter careers. The 526 sections across 62 California CCs institutions cover both — calculus and physics for the transfer track, applied automation and materials for the AAS.
Engineering proper (the licensed P.E. profession) requires a bachelor's from an ABET-accredited program. CC's role is to provide the first two years at lower cost, especially the heavy calculus and physics sequence that many four-year programs treat as a weed-out. The engineering-technology track is a complete career credential on its own — graduates work as technicians, lab specialists, and field engineers without continuing to a bachelor's.
Colleges offering Engineering
Pick a college to see its full plan — every required course, which ones transfer to the school you want, and what’s open now.
Engineering is a transfer program — community colleges offer the coursework; you earn the degree, and its earnings, at a four-year university. See where it transfers →
Engineering Availability Snapshot
How engineering sections are being offered across 62 colleges in California this term (526 sections total).
Delivery format
- in person413 (79%)
- online69 (13%)
- hybrid30 (6%)
- zoom14 (3%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)175
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)185
- Evening (5 PM and after)95
- Asynchronous / TBA71
Start dates
Sections begin on 27 distinct dates. 61 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 206 distinct instructors across 62 colleges.
Degree requirements by college
Expand a college to see the courses required for graduation. Data sourced from each college's official catalog.
College of the Desert1 program
Recommended Course Sequence
- ENGR 009Introduction to Engineering(3 cr)2 sections+ plan
- CH 001AGeneral Chemistry I(5 cr)4 sections+ plan
- MATH 001ACalculus(4 cr)not offered+ plan
- MATH 001BCalculus II(4 cr)not offered+ plan
- PH 003AEngineering Physics(4 cr)2 sections+ plan
- PH 003BEngineering Physics(4 cr)2 sections+ plan
- PH 003CEngineering Physics(4 cr)not offered+ plan
- CH 001BGeneral Chemistry II2 sections+ plan
- MATH 002AMultivariate Calculus1 section+ plan
- CS 007AComputer Science I(4 cr)3 sections+ plan
- CS 007BComputer Science II(3 cr)1 section+ plan
- DRA 002AutoCAD(4 cr)1 section+ plan
- DRA 011Intro to Sketchup & Revitnot offered+ plan
- ENGR 006AElectric Circuits for Engineering & Science(4 cr)not offered+ plan
- PH 006AElectric Circuits for Engineering & Sciencenot offered+ plan
- ENGR 011Statics(3 cr)1 section+ plan
- PH 011Statics1 section+ plan
- ENGR 012Dynamics(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- PH 012Dynamicsnot offered+ plan
- ENGR 013Materials Science(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- MATH 002BLinear Algebra(4 cr)1 section+ plan
- MATH 002COrdinary Differential Equations(4 cr)1 section+ plan
- MATH 015Discrete Mathematics for Computers(4 cr)1 section+ plan
- MATH 020Programming and Problem Solving in MATLAB(3 cr)not offered+ plan
Source: College catalog
Cuyamaca College3 programs
Evergreen Valley College7 programs
Foothill College2 programs
Fullerton College2 programs
Hartnell College2 programs
Long Beach City College5 programs
Mt San Antonio College16 programs
Pasadena City College5 programs
San Joaquin Delta College11 programs
San Jose City College2 programs
Sierra College1 program
Recommended Course Sequence
39 credits- CHEM 0001AGeneral Chemistry I (OR)(5 cr)7 sections+ plan
- CHEM 0003AGeneral Chemistry I - Part 1and General Chemistry I - Part 25 sections+ plan
- ENGR 0130Statics(3 cr)2 sections+ plan
- ENGR 0140BMaterials Science and Engineering(4 cr)1 section+ plan
- ENGR 0151Engineering Graphics(4 cr)3 sections+ plan
- MATH 0030Analytical Geometry and Calculus I(4 cr)18 sections+ plan
- MATH 0031Analytical Geometry and Calculus II(4 cr)11 sections+ plan
- MATH 0032Analytical Geometry and Calculus III(4 cr)4 sections+ plan
- PHYS 0210Principles of Physics: Electricity and Magnetismand Principles of Physics Laboratory: Electricity and Magnetism2 sections+ plan
- PHYS 0215Principles of Physics: Heat, Waves and Modern Physicsand Principles of Physics Laboratory: Heat, Waves and Modern Physics1 section+ plan
- CHEM 0001BGeneral Chemistry II5 sections+ plan
- ENGR 0095Internship in Engineering (up to 4 units)not offered+ plan
- ENGR 0101Engineering Seminar1 section+ plan
- ENGR 0110Introduction to Engineering Design2 sections+ plan
- ENGR 0137Manufacturing Processes2 sections+ plan
- ENGR 0180Engineering Surveyingnot offered+ plan
- ENGR 0220Programming and Problem Solving in Engineering1 section+ plan
- ENGR 0230Dynamicsnot offered+ plan
- ENGR 0260Electric Circuitsnot offered+ plan
- ENGR 0260LElectric Circuits Laboratorynot offered+ plan
- MATH 0033Differential Equations and Linear Algebra2 sections+ plan
Source: College catalog
Common Engineering courses
- ENGR 1Intro to Engineering(18 sections)
- ENGR 10Digital Logic Fundamentals(17 sections)
- ENGR 010Introduction to Engineering(15 sections)
- ENGR 100Introduction to Engineering(14 sections)
- ENGR B47Introduction to Engineering and Design(12 sections)
- ENGR 110Engineering Orientation and Basic Skills(9 sections)
- ENGR 2Problem Solving in MATLAB(9 sections)
- ENGR 220Program and Prob Solv MATLAB(8 sections)
- ENGR 5Engr As a Profess(7 sections)
- ENGR 312Engineering Graphics(6 sections)
- ENGR 45Materials Science(6 sections)
- ENGR 8Statics(6 sections)
Career outlook for Engineering graduates
Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for the primary career outcome of this program (2024 OEWS release). Compare California’s typical pay to the national picture before choosing where to study.
Wage data reflects all workers in the occupation, not just recent CC graduates — entry-level pay is typically lower. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I become an engineer with just an associate degree?
- Not in the licensed-engineer sense — the P.E. (Professional Engineer) license requires a bachelor's from an ABET-accredited program. But you can absolutely work as an engineering technologist, engineering technician, or specialized field role (CAD drafter, surveying technician, manufacturing technician) with the AAS in engineering technology.
- Does the pre-engineering associate transfer cleanly to a four-year program?
- Largely yes if you follow the structured pre-engineering pathway — Calculus I/II/III, Differential Equations, Physics with Calculus, Chemistry I, and intro engineering. Programs vary in which discipline they're best aligned to (mechanical vs electrical vs civil); confirm with the target four-year school before enrolling. Engineering majors are tightly sequenced and a missing prerequisite can cost a semester.
- What's the difference between engineering and engineering technology?
- Engineering programs focus on theory and design — you'll work as a P.E. designing new systems. Engineering technology programs focus on applying existing designs — you'll work as a technician building, testing, or maintaining systems engineers have specified. Both are good careers; ET grads earn solid wages and don't need a bachelor's.
- Is the math required for engineering at a community college?
- Yes, and that's one of the strongest reasons to start at CC. The Calculus I → II → III → Differential Equations sequence is the same content at CC and four-year, but CC class sizes are smaller and tuition is much lower. Many engineering students who struggled with high-school math intentionally take the calculus sequence at CC before transferring.
Compare Engineering programs in other states
Same comparison view, different state systems. Useful if you’re considering an out-of-state community college or just want to see how California’s engineering programs stack up.
Other programs in California
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.