Pre-Baccalaureate Studies in Engineering
Forge your path to engineering excellence with Pre-Baccalaureate Studies in Engineering. Build your foundation.
Overview for Pre-Baccalaureate Studies in Engineering
The pre-baccalaureate studies program is available to students who are accepted by RIT's National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) and are close to, but not fully ready for, direct entry into a baccalaureate-level program through one of the other colleges of RIT. It is a bridge program for qualified students, based on academic transcripts, scores on admissions tests, and other evidence that supports a reasonable expectation of success in baccalaureate course work. Qualified students who are undecided as to a program of study may choose the career exploration studies program.
Enrollment in the pre-baccalaureate studies program is appropriate for students who need to further develop mathematics, English, or discipline-related skills. The academic program is flexible and individualized and allows students to focus on needed skills while concurrently progressing toward their chosen field of study. Students may take courses taught by NTID faculty, as well as entry-level courses taught in other RIT colleges. While in the program, students receive academic advising as well as career counseling.
Students cannot receive a degree in pre-baccalaureate studies. Rather, they will apply for admission into a baccalaureate program as soon as they are academically ready and the college offering their chosen baccalaureate program reviews their application for admission. After completing an entire academic year in the program, a student must transfer to a degree-granting program in NTID or one of the other colleges of RIT.
-
Apply for Fall 2026
First-year students can apply for Early Decision II by Jan. 1 to get an admissions and financial aid assessment by mid-January.
Curriculum for 2025-2026 for Pre-Baccalaureate Studies in Engineering
Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements
Admissions and Financial Aid
Specific English, Mathematics and Science Requirements and other Recommendations
Students entering pre-baccalaureate studies in engineering will typically be required to have:
- English: Placement into a First Year Writing course, such as FYW: Writing Seminar (UWRT-150), or Critical Reading and Writing (UWRT-100).
- Mathematics: Placement into NTID’s Advanced Math (NMTH-275) course or higher, such as Pre-calculus (MATH-111).
- Science: Readiness after a single NTID science course, Concepts of College Physics (NSCI-270), for entry into RIT's College of Science Physics I (PHYS-111) course.
- ACT (optional): The ACT middle 50% composite score is 18-21 (20 Math, 18 Reading).
Financial Aid and Scholarships
100% of all incoming first-year and transfer students receive aid.
RIT’s personalized and comprehensive financial aid program includes scholarships, grants, loans, and campus employment programs. When all these are put to work, your actual cost may be much lower than the published estimated cost of attendance.
Learn more about financial aid and scholarships
Contact
Department of Engineering Studies