WGU Engineering Programs (EE Degree Options)
WGU offers a bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering, not electrical or traditional engineering degrees such as civil or mechanical engineering. The program may fit students who want to build software and value flexible, competency-based study. Before applying, compare the degree with your career goal, confirm current program details, and get a transfer-credit evaluation.
A useful planning benchmark: WGU’s standard full-time undergraduate minimum is 12 competency units in each six-month term. That tells you the basic pace, but not how long your degree will take. Your remaining courses, study time, prior learning, and ability to show mastery all matter.
That distinction matters when you are comparing colleges. “Engineering” can mean software design, electrical systems, structures, or other fields, and those paths do not lead to the same coursework or credentials. I help students start with the job they want, then check whether a program’s degree title and accreditation match it.
WGU Software Engineering Admissions, Program Scope & Accreditation
WGU’s relevant undergraduate option is a B.S. in Software Engineering. It focuses on software work, not electrical, mechanical, civil, or general engineering. WGU is institutionally accredited, but that does not mean this specific degree is ABET-accredited. Check current program and accreditation records before applying.
First decide which kind of engineering you mean
Software engineering centers on designing, building, testing, and maintaining software. Electrical engineering focuses on electrical and electronic systems. Civil and mechanical engineering are different disciplines with their own technical study and career paths.
If you want to create apps, develop software systems, or work in a software-focused role, WGU’s degree may be worth comparing with other software programs. If you want to design circuits, power systems, roads, or machines, compare programs in that field instead. Do not rely on a shared word in the degree name to tell you the programs are equivalent.
Check accreditation for your intended path
WGU is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Institutional accreditation applies to the school. Programmatic accreditation applies to a particular degree program and is a separate check.
ABET accredits specific programs, not every program at a school. If an employer, graduate program, or licensing path requires ABET accreditation, search ABET’s current directory for the exact program. Do not assume the Software Engineering degree meets a requirement for engineering licensure. Licensure rules depend on the field and jurisdiction.
WGU generally does not use SAT or ACT scores as a universal admission requirement. Admission still depends on the current eligibility rules for the program and a review of your education history. Ask WGU admissions about any missing requirements or readiness steps.
Degree Curriculum, Transfer Credits & Graduation Requirements
The published bachelor’s plan is about 120 competency units (CUs), but your individual plan may differ after transfer review. CUs are WGU’s measure of course credit. Before enrolling, request an official transcript evaluation so you know which requirements remain and what the school will accept.
Compare the curriculum with your goals
Review WGU’s current catalog for the exact program title, course list, and any available track options. Do not assume that a Java or C# track is available now just because you saw it mentioned elsewhere. Ask the school to confirm the current options and how they affect your course plan.
Look closely at the balance of programming, software design, testing, and other required subjects. Then compare that curriculum with entry-level job descriptions or graduate programs you may want to pursue. A degree is one part of preparation; projects and practice can also help you show what you can do.
Get transfer answers in writing
Send official transcripts for evaluation before enrollment. Transfer credit is not guaranteed, and a course that sounds similar may not replace a WGU requirement. Your evaluation and degree plan set the remaining requirements.
| Planning question | What to verify | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| How many CUs remain? | Official transfer evaluation and degree plan | Sets your course load and planning estimate |
| What will each term cost? | Current tuition and fees | WGU charges by six-month term |
| Which track or courses apply? | Current catalog and program adviser | Avoids planning around outdated options |
| What aid rules apply? | FAFSA and current financial-aid policies | Aid eligibility and renewal have conditions |
Save the evaluation and ask how long it remains valid. If you later add transcripts or change your plan, ask whether the evaluation or degree requirements could change.
Competency-Based Learning, Student Support & Academic Success
WGU uses competency-based education: you move forward by showing that you understand the course material, rather than by following only a fixed classroom schedule. This can offer flexibility, but it also asks you to manage your time and keep making progress across each six-month term.
Plan pace and cost together
Undergraduate students generally need at least 12 CUs per term to meet the standard full-time pace. Some students complete more, but that is not a guaranteed outcome. A faster projected finish does not lock in your total tuition.
Because tuition is charged by six-month term, a slower pace may mean paying for more terms. Make a conservative estimate using your official degree plan and WGU’s current tuition and fees. Include time for work, family care, writing, programming practice, and unexpected delays.
If you use federal financial aid, complete the FAFSA and review WGU’s current satisfactory academic progress (SAP) rules. SAP is the standard a school uses to check whether a student is making enough progress to remain eligible for aid. Confirm how the policy applies to your enrollment and pace.
Build a routine before the first term
Ask your enrollment contact how mentor support works and how often you can expect to check in. Then make a weekly study plan with blocks for reading, coding, practice, and assessments. If a course gets stuck, contact your mentor early rather than waiting until the end of the term.
A simple progress check can keep a flexible schedule from becoming an unclear one:
- At the start of the term, list the courses and required assessments in your degree plan.
- Each week, record what you completed and what is still blocking progress.
- At regular mentor meetings, review pace, course choices, and support needs.
- Before the term ends, confirm the next set of courses and your financial-aid standing.
Software Engineering Career Pathways, Hiring Signals & Outcomes
A software engineering bachelor’s degree is designed for software-focused study, but it does not guarantee a job or a particular salary. Employers set their own requirements. Compare the degree with the roles you want, then build evidence of your skills through projects, work experience, and other relevant practice.
Turn coursework into evidence
For software roles, a portfolio can help you show how you approach a problem and improve a solution. Follow the program’s rules for projects and academic work. Keep notes on what you built, the tools you used, and what you learned from testing or revision.
As you near graduation, review job postings in the locations and industries you may consider. Note repeated requirements, such as particular languages, tools, or experience. Use that information to guide additional learning, but do not treat one posting as a promise of what every employer expects.
Before applying to graduate school or a specific job, confirm that the degree meets that institution’s or employer’s stated requirements. For roles that require an accredited engineering degree or a license, verify the exact criteria directly with the employer or licensing authority.
Two planning scenarios
These examples are illustrative, not reports of actual WGU students. They show why the target role should guide the school choice.
| Student’s goal | Practical next step |
|---|---|
| Build software applications and systems | Compare WGU’s current Software Engineering curriculum, transfer plan, and total term-cost estimate with other software degrees |
| Design electrical hardware and seek an engineering path tied to licensure | Compare electrical engineering programs and verify ABET status and local licensing requirements |
I use this question early with families: “If you finished this degree, what work would you want to be able to do?” A clear answer makes it easier to spot a mismatch before you invest time and tuition.
A Practical Decision Plan for Applicants and Transfer Students
A good decision rests on four checks: career fit, admission readiness, transfer credit, and a realistic budget. Complete them in order. This helps you avoid choosing based only on a degree title, a short completion estimate, or an assumption that past credits will transfer.
Use this sequence before you enroll:
- Name the target role. Decide whether you want software work or a hardware-focused engineering path.
- Check program scope. Review WGU’s current catalog, degree title, course plan, and any track choices.
- Confirm admission steps. Ask admissions which program requirements apply to your background.
- Request transcript review. Get the official transfer evaluation and remaining degree plan.
- Model time and cost. Use remaining CUs, current tuition, fees, and a cautious pace estimate.
- Check aid and accreditation. Complete the FAFSA if appropriate, review SAP rules, and verify any required program accreditation.
- Plan your career evidence. Identify projects, internships, or experience that could support your applications.
For families, compare the total plan, not just the first term. For transfer students, do not assume that credits will shorten the degree until the official evaluation confirms how they apply. Your next step is to get that evaluation and compare the resulting plan with your career goal and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
These answers summarize the main checks for students comparing WGU’s software degree with other engineering options. Program names, tracks, admission rules, tuition, and accreditation listings can change, so confirm details in WGU’s current catalog and the relevant official directory before making a decision.
Does WGU offer an electrical engineering degree?
WGU’s relevant undergraduate engineering option is a B.S. in Software Engineering. It is not an electrical engineering degree.
Is WGU’s Software Engineering degree ABET-accredited?
Do not assume it is. Check ABET’s current directory for the exact program if accreditation is important to your plans.
Is WGU institutionally accredited?
Yes. WGU is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. This is separate from program-level accreditation.
How many competency units does the degree require?
The published plan is about 120 CUs. Your transfer evaluation and individual degree plan determine how many requirements remain for you.
Can transfer students bring in credits?
They may be able to, but acceptance is not guaranteed. Request an official transcript evaluation before enrolling.
Does WGU require SAT or ACT scores?
WGU generally does not use these tests as a universal admission requirement. Check the current eligibility rules for your program and background.
How long does the degree take?
There is no fixed completion time for every student. Pace depends on remaining courses, demonstrated mastery, and how much time you can study.
How many CUs should a full-time undergraduate complete each term?
The standard minimum is 12 CUs in a six-month term. Completing more may be possible, but it is not guaranteed.
Can this degree qualify me for engineering licensure?
Do not assume so. Confirm the degree and accreditation requirements with the licensing authority for your field and jurisdiction.
What should I check before accepting an offer or enrolling?
Review the current curriculum, admission requirements, transfer evaluation, tuition and fees, financial-aid rules, and any accreditation needed for your career goal.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Christopher Langston. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
