Undergraduate Frequently Asked Questions

We have compiled a list of some of the most commonly asked questions during campus visits by prospective students and their parents.

Visit the About the Fulton Schools page to learn about the Fulton Difference, statistics about the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, and much more. For degree-specific information, visit our Undergraduate Degree Programs page. 

1. What high school classes should I take if I want to be an Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering student?

Please visit the ASU Freshman Admission Requirements and Timelines page for detailed information on ASU’s admission policies. Additionally, please see the Fulton Schools Undergraduate Admission Criteria for information on specific Fulton Schools degree program requirements.

2. Will I be taking any first-year classes that explain the different majors in engineering?

Fulton Schools students are required to take two introductory courses during their first year. They teach the students about the opportunities that various degrees offer and types of career paths that are available. Additionally, most students gain an understanding of the other majors through communicating with other students in their engineering residential communities as well as in their other classes which often contain students of many different engineering majors. Student organizations and professional societies also offer excellent opportunities to mingle with other engineering and technology students.

3. Do I need to enroll in a specific major when I enter the Fulton Schools?

The Fulton Schools ask first-time freshmen to declare a major. However, many students change majors after the first, second, or third semester, so your choice is not permanent. Talk about your uncertainty with your advisor when you enroll for classes during freshman orientation. They can best advise you regarding what classes to take and how to investigate the other engineering majors offered by the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.

4. I am taking AP classes and plan to take the AP exam. Will the AP credits transfer to ASU?

Please check ASU’s Credit by Examination page for information on the course credit granted for AP tests and other such examinations. You can also view the 3+1 Path tools to see how different course credit is mapped into our degree programs.

5. Will my Physics dual enrollment course apply to my major?

Please see question #12 for information regarding dual enrollment courses.

6. Can I get a degree in four years?

Yes, each major in the Fulton Schools requires 120 credit hours of coursework. This means that as long as you take an average of 15 credit hours per semester (an average courseload) you may complete your degree in four years. Some students even complete both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years with our Accelerated (4+1) Programs. View our complete list of degree programs with accelerated options.

7. Can undergraduate students get internships?

Internships allow our students to learn new technical as well as non-technical skills, make contacts in industry and develop ideas for projects and papers in their courses. Undergraduates have the opportunity to participate in summer and academic year internships through several programs. The Fulton Schools Career Center hosts career fairs twice a year on the Tempe and Polytechnic campuses for both undergraduate and graduate students. Companies from in-state as well as out-of-state attend the career fair in hopes of recruiting students for internships and full time employment. Students can utilize Handshake to preview the companies that are attending the career as well as view the company’s description, type of engineering or technology discipline, and type of employment offered. Students can also network with employers directly through Handshake. The Fulton Schools Career Center acts as a personal resource for career development.

8. How do the Fulton Schools of Engineering work with Barrett, The Honors College?

In fall 2019, 28 percent of Barrett, the Honors College students were in the Fulton Schools of Engineering. Barrett, The Honors College students must take a two-semester course, The Human Event, their first two semesters and complete a thesis before they graduate. They must also complete a number of honors credits which can be gained through completing extra projects given by professors and taking specific honors courses. These extra projects provide a deeper focus into a course’s material and provide valuable experience to the student. Furthermore, the Barrett residential community contains several floors dedicated solely to Fulton Schools students. This allows the Fulton Schools students living in Barrett to maintain their own residential community and experience similar activities as their counterparts living in the Fulton Schools residential halls.

9. What qualifications do I need to be admitted?

The Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering has stricter admission requirements than many of the other colleges at ASU. For details regarding admission to ASU, please see question 1 above. For a detailed explanation of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering Admission requirements, please view our Admission Requirements page.

10. How do I figure out what major I want to pursue?

Selecting a major can be difficult. Luckily, during your first two or three semesters as an ASU engineering student, it is still feasible to switch majors and maintain a four year graduation schedule. We recommend doing some research into each of the majors while looking for topics or areas that spike your interest leading to a career you would like to devote your life towards. Reviewing the degree videos and major maps listed on our Undergraduate Degree page can assist you in learning about the different degree options available. Engineering and technology degrees can be challenging, but they can also be incredibly satisfying if you have an earnest desire to pursue your targeted degree.

11. What is special about the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at ASU?

Undergraduate degree programs at the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering immerse students in a range of engineering and technology disciplines as well as relevant interdisciplinary studies. We provide a stimulating learning and research environment where students are encouraged to achieve academic success through exposure to a diversity of viewpoints and teaching styles. Our programs prepare students for successful careers or graduate-level studies, with a focus on innovation and societal impact.

We believe that students need more than traditional coursework to be competitive and successful in their career. We encourage our students to customize their experience both inside and outside of the classroom through our Fulton Difference experiential opportunities. Some of the Fulton Difference programs include:

12. I have taken some dual enrollment courses. Will they transfer to ASU and apply to my major?

This depends on the school from which the dual enrollment credit was received and the course. You can review the Accelerated Programs to see how some courses are accepted into our degree programs. You can also check with a Fulton Schools academic advisor (see Fulton Schools Advising) for information on your specific dual enrollment situation. Many times in order for credit to transfer, a transcript will need to be sent from your original school to ASU.

13. How many students are in the Fulton Schools?

Our community has grown to approximately 30,297 students (undergraduate and graduate) from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and 156 countries. The Fulton Schools have attracted a record number of incoming first year students in each of the last six years. We are continually growing both our student body and faculty base. Please visit the Fulton Schools Overview for current data and statistics about the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.

14. How do I apply for scholarships?

The Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering offers many merit and need-based scholarships to undergraduate students. Scholarships are offered on an annual basis, and are funded by a variety of sources, including private donors, corporations and alumni, with amounts ranging up to $10,000 per academic year. You may find more information at: Fulton Schools Scholarships.  There are other scholarships at ASU with more specific criteria, varying deadlines and application requirements. The best way to find any relevant scholarships is to use the ASU Scholarship Search.  We also encourage all students applying for scholarships to submit a Free Application for Financial Aid, or FAFSA, so they can be considered for financial aid.

15. How do I change my major?

Students interested in changing their major to one of the degree programs within the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering must meet the Fulton School admission requirements for transfer students. Change of major is not guaranteed, and students interested in changing majors are encouraged to make an appointment with an advisor in the program of interest to discuss the probability of success and to develop a plan of action to ensure successful advancement to upper-division courses. Many Fulton Schools students switch between engineering and computing majors in their first several semesters.  However, keep in mind that after those first several semesters, it becomes increasingly difficult to change majors and still graduate in four years. Learn more about transferring to the Fulton Schools.

16. Do I have to live on campus?

The Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering expects all of its first year students to live on-campus their first year. After that students are free to explore alternate housing arrangements. If desired, students can live on-campus for their entire undergraduate career. Learn more about Fulton Schools Residential Communities on both the Tempe and Polytechnic campuses.