Academics

students working

At WPI learning has always been about combining theory and practice. WPI graduates emerge ready to take on critical challenges in science and technology, knowing how their work can impact society and improve the quality of life. WPI's 18 academic departments offer 70+ undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science, engineering, technology, business and management, the social sciences, and the humanities and arts, leading to the BA, BS, MS, ME, MBA, MFA, and PhD. Our world-class faculty is both renowned and accomplished--and they are accessible, priding themselves on the quality time they invest in their students. 

While our foundation has held firm, we pride ourselves on continuing to modernize the curriculum and our teaching practices. The prestigious 2016 Bernard M. Gordon Prize for Innovation in Engineering and Technology Education is a nod both to our history and to our future, recognizing WPI’s project-based curriculum developing leadership, innovative problem-solving, interdisciplinary collaboration, and global competencies.  Arguably every student who attends WPI learns to think like an engineer; these days there is just as much attention to assuring our students think like entrepreneurs.

 

WPI is known for what it does best—delivering an education that is project-based, globally engaged, and built on its founding approach of theory and practice. WPI doesn't work the way other universities work, and that makes all the difference. Our students graduate fully prepared to step into challenging roles because they have powerful knowledge, and they know how to apply it. Armed with value creation skills and entrepreneurial mindsets, they leave WPI ready to make changes in the world that have a positive impact. 

Our Schools

WPI students and faculty collaborate across 18 academic departments in four schools.

Academics By the Numbers


18

academic departments

70+

degree programs

13:1

students-to-faculty ratio 

2,062

graduate students

5,246

undergraduate students

598

full- and part-time faculty (2022)

Undergraduate Education

Our curriculum and degree requirements are designed to help students graduate as thoughtful global citizens, ready for impactful personal and professional lives—and to find and fulfill their passions along the way.   

The WPI Plan

Through WPI's signature approach to undergraduate education, known as the WPI Plan, students learn how to learn by applying classroom experiences in research and projects that challenge them from a proficiency, social, and global perspective.
Global Project

Hands-on Learning

Through a project-based education, students discover the value of learning by doing. They take the hypothetical and make it real, applying skills and concepts from the classroom to real problems, leading to real-world experience and impact.

Find Your Program

At WPI you will be encouraged to branch out, cross disciplines, and experiment, whether in pursuit of a bachelor's degree, a double major, a BS/MS, a specialized minor, or even designing your own major.

Graduate & Professional Education

WPI offers graduate study leading to the master of science, master of engineering, master of mathematics for educators, master of business administration, and the doctor of philosophy degrees. Degrees may be available full-time, part-time, and online.

Graduate Degrees

At WPI, your work isn’t based on your discipline—it’s based on you. You bring your focus and your passion, and we help you find a way to change the world with it.
system dynamics

Certificates

WPI’s innovative graduate certificate programs help technical and business professionals keep up to date with advances in technologies and business practices without a commitment to to a graduate degree program.

Online Programs

With personalized support and greater flexibility, our online graduate programs give working professionals access to WPI’s distinctive project-based education––and the real-world knowledge and skills needed to go further in their careers.