Degree Programs at Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester Polytechnic Institute appears in our ranking of the 50 Most Technologically Advanced Small Colleges.
Science and math are just a few of the subjects that students can study at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute. More than 30 majors are available for undergrads, including management information systems, environmental engineering, chemistry, and applied physics. In the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Business, majors complete a business core and take classes in computer science, calculus and math. General business, financial technology, innovation for social change and business analytics are the concentrations available in the major. Undergrads can pick minors in biochemistry, data science, computer science and other subjects too.
With more than 40 traditional and online programs designed for graduate students, the institute can help students earn their advanced degrees too. The Master of Science (MS) online programs include majors in mechanical engineering, robotics engineering, power systems management, and power systems engineering. Another online MS program is in biology and biotechnology. In the online program, students do not need to do a thesis but they will need to take classes that demonstrate their research skills. Some of the institute’s traditional graduate programs include majors in biomedical engineering, business administration, chemical engineering, computer science, supply chain management, and marketing and innovation.
Various certificate programs are also available from the institute, both on-campus and online. Students with an undergraduate business degree can enroll in the business certificate program to learn about user experiences. They take four classes, including UX Applications and UX Research Methods. In the online fire protection engineering program, students can earn a graduate certificate or an advanced certificate. They learn how to design and build fire protection systems, the basics of installing those systems and how to assess properties for risks. Worcester Polytechnic Institute offers certificates in marketing and innovation, systems engineering, electrical and computer engineering and other fields.
About Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private university that serves as a research institute in Worcester, Massachusetts. Established in 1865, it was the brainchild of two men, both of whom worked in the city’s manufacturing industry. They created a school that included apprenticeship programs for students to give them the field training that they needed to work in the manufacturing field. After receiving a land grant and receiving funding, the two solicited help from more than 200 local citizens to build the campus. Though mechanical and civil engineering were among the popular programs originally available, the institute later added programs in finance and business. Also known as WPI, it now ranks as one of the top polytechnic institutes in the country.
WPI has a large campus in Worcester that is conveniently located near restaurants and other resources for students. They can reach many of those locations within a short walk of the campus. Students complete at least four terms of classes each year, which includes seven-week classes. They have the option of taking classes during two short sessions in the summer too. The institute only offers A, B, and C grades and has an NR rating if students score lower, which means that they do not receive credit for their work. WPI also expects students to do research work and offers opportunities for them to partner with local employers and organizations to gain more experience. More than 6,000 students study on the main WPI campus and at the institute’s research centers.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute Accreditation Details
With accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and its Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE), WPI has the regional accreditation needed for students who want to get financial aid. They can use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and answer a few questions every year to get an aid package. Students can use the same accreditation to transfer credits to and from WPI too.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute Application Requirements
WPI recommends that prospective students look at its programs and requirements to make sure that they understand the basics of each program. The institute expects students to do projects based on their classes. They can also download an app for Google and Apple devices to take a virtual tour of the WPI campus. The institute only accepts applications submitted through the Common Application. Students will then submit a school transcript along with a letter of recommendation from a guidance counselor. WPI requires a letter of recommendation from a high school teacher too and encourages students to have this letter written by a science or math teacher. Students can self-report their ACT or SAT scores on the application, but WPI gives them the option of providing an official test score later. The institute also offers on-campus interviews with admissions counselors.
Though WPI has a rolling admissions policy for graduate students, it recommends that they apply by January first for the fall semester and October first for the spring semester. They need to submit all required information within 30 days of finishing the application. The institute asks for both a $70 application fee and transcripts from any colleges or institutes where students earned credits. Future graduate students also need to submit three letters of recommendation and may need to provide an official GRE score too.
Tuition and Financial Aid
New students at WPI pay a $200 orientation fee, which is only due in the first semester. All undergrads pay tuition and fees of $54,346 each year. Room and board at the institute cost around $15,700 a year too. Graduate students pay $1,566 per credit hour, which comes to $28,188 each year for full-time enrollment. They may need to pay $1,252 a year for health insurance too. Students get a 30 percent discount on their tuition costs if they take classes in the summer.
The Global Scholarship is just one type of financial aid that is available for students. They get up to $5,000 that they can use to work on projects and attend classes at any affiliated campus or center. Both fellowships and assistantships go to graduate students but require that they apply for each one. Undergrads can get work-study and scholarships based on their need or merit. To qualify for merit scholarships, the institute requires a minimum score of 40 on the IB diploma test. Students can get up to $20,000 a year in scholarships. Any student who submits the FAFSA when applying to Worcester Polytechnic Institute can get financial aid.