The College of Engineering was established on July 23, 1963 starting with a one-year general engineering course. Two years later, it started offering its first major program, which is Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. This program was given government recognition immediately after graduating the first batch of Civil Engineering graduates who achieved 100% passing in the Civil Engineering Board Examinations. This initial success of the college led to the offering of other engineering degree programs including Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, Environmental and Sanitary Engineering and Industrial Engineering. To date, the College of Engineering maintains and continues to strengthen five (5) major degree programs, with government recognition, as follows: Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, 1968; Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, 1969; Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, 1969; Bachelor of Science in Indusr ial Engineering, 1986; Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering, 1991; Master in Engineering Programs major in Electrical and Industrial Engineering, 2001; Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, 2002; and Bachelor of Science in Architecture in 2003.

The first Dean of the College of Engineering was Engr. Teresito Remollo who laid down the foundation for the College of Engineering in its early stage of development. His achievements from the time he assumed the position in 1968 and until his retirement in 1985, gained the recognition for HAU as a foremost engineering school in the region. The work he started was continued by his predecessors. He was succeeded by Engr. Geromin T. Nepomuceno, Jr. who was Officer-in-Charge of the College from 1985-87. Engr. Renato Santiago held the position of Officer-in-Charge from 1987-1990 and Engr. Abigail Arcilla was the Acting Dean from 1990-1992. Engr. Ruby P. Henson held the position of the dean from 1992-1999. The Engr. Roman A. Palo was the dean of the college in 1999 to 2005. Engr. Abigail P. Arcilla, assumed the position of the dean in 2005 to the present.

In all its years of existence, the College of Engineering has been committed to the objective of "providing well-rounded professional training to students who can make a definite contribution to the industrialization and economic progress of the Philippines through applied Science and Technology." Hence, the curricula for the different programs are so designed not only to conform to CHED, DECS-TPEAE curricular guidelines but also to ensure that Engineering graduates have the necessary academic background in terms of knowledge both in the technical and social disciplines as well as field experience for the specific area of specialization. In line with this, engineering graduates are required to undergo apprenticeship in the industries to enhance their field of experience.

The training that engineering students obtain is further enriched by their involvement in extra curricular activities and this is made possible through membership in student organizations. There are six (6) student organizations based in the college most of which are accredited student chapters of national professional organizations

These are the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, PICE; Integrated Institute of Electrical Engineers, IIEE; Integrated Electronics and Communications Engineers of the Philippine, IECEP; Philippine Institute of Industrial Engineers, PIIE; Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers, PSME; and PI Society- a math-oriented organization. The realization of the objectives of the college is evidenced by the growing number of engineering graduates and professionals that the institution has produced. The college also boasts of a number of engineering board topnotchers.

The College of Engineering has gone a long way since 1963. The four-storey building for the college marks the genuine commitment of HAU in strengthening engineering education. The edifice, named the Sacred Heart Building houses lecture rooms, an audio visual room, and all the engineering laboratories as follows: Soils, Material Testing, Hydraulics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Chemistry, Physics and Computer laboratories, the latter including a CADD Center. Alongside the continuous upgrading of facilities, the college plans to pursue a comprehensive faculty development program in line with the objective of upgrading instruction. The college also exerts considerable effort in keeping up with the technological pace through the application of computer technology in instruction and research. Aware of the existing resources and the demand of the external environment the activities and programs of the college are being expanded so as not to be limited to the traditional academic scope but will consider the demands of the external environment through academe-industry linkages and other forms of community involvement.

In April 1995, the programs in the College of Engineering attained FAAP second-level (II) accreditation status through PAASCU. PAASCU Re-accreditation was attained in the school year 1998-1999. The Commission on Higher Education awarded the two programs from the College of Engineering, namely: Electrical and Industrial Engineering departments as the Centers of Development (COD) in the region. PAASCU Level III Accreditation was granted in the School Year 2004-2005 for CE, EE, IE & ME.

The College of Engineering and Architecture realizes the importance of its role in present times of making engineering education relevant as it continues to support national development efforts.