Huntington Beach, Calif. — Golden West College (GWC) is launching a new Associate of Science in Engineering program beginning in the 2025–26 academic year. This addition comes in response to a growing demand for accessible, high-quality engineering education and will strengthen the transfer pipeline to top four-year universities, including Cal Poly Pomona, UC Irvine, UC San Diego, and others.
With engineering among the most lucrative and in-demand career fields, the new program provides students with a competitive advantage. Completion of an Associate of Science in Engineering degree is often a key requirement for transfer into a bachelor’s degree program in the field.
“This program has been years in the making,” said Dr. Jennifer Kalfsbeek-Goetz, Vice President of Instruction at Golden West College. “We already offered all the necessary coursework, including math, physics, and engineering. The next step was to structure those offerings into a formal degree program that positions our students for seamless transfer and long-term success in the field.”
The program offers a strong foundation in general engineering concepts without requiring students to choose a specialization. Upon transfer, students can then pursue focused areas such as mechanical, civil, electrical, or biomedical engineering based on their interests and career goals.
As part of GWC’s commitment to affordability and access, all math and engineering courses in the program have been designated as Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) and utilize Open Educational Resources (OER). This approach removes the financial barrier of costly textbooks and allows students to focus on learning without added expenses.
Golden West’s Engineering program includes rigorous instruction in mathematics, physics, and introductory engineering courses designed to prepare students for the analytical and problem-solving demands of the profession. The curriculum aligns with transfer requirements at multiple California State University (CSU) and University of California (UC) campuses.
“Engineering is more than equations and blueprints, it’s about building a better future,” added Dr. Kalfsbeek-Goetz. “This new program reflects Golden West’s mission to provide upward mobility through education, giving students the tools they need to transform their lives and contribute meaningfully to their communities.”
