The Global School
The Global School Mission
The Global School is founded on WPI’s half-century of leadership in global project-based learning. The Global School embodies WPI’s commitment to empower our faculty, students, communities, and collaborators to address urgent local and global challenges. Our distinctive interdisciplinary programs immerse students in real-world projects that foster purpose-driven global learning and collaboration.
This generation of science and engineering students, social innovators, and business leaders must understand the complex interactions of technology and society in a rapidly changing world. This calls for education in inclusive globally minded approaches informed not only by cutting-edge technologies, but also by the social sciences, humanities, arts, and business. The Global School empowers this kind of integrative education and inspires collaboration for a better world.
The faculty in our Department of Integrative and Global Studies are experts in project-based learning and social sciences. We teach the first year Great Problems Seminar and advise team research projects at more than fifty global project centers through our award-winning Global Projects Program. We also offer interdisciplinary graduate programs that center the critical knowledge, collaborative mindset, and interactive methodological tools needed for meaningful community partnerships.
Global School faculty also have substantial research grants to work on major global challenges, from climate adaptation to public interest technology. You can join us in our Global School Forum where we engage with cutting-edge global research that addresses the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals including topics such as health, energy, environment, food, water, and climate change.
Our Degree Programs
MS in Science and Technology for Innovation in Global Development
The global MS in science and technology for innovation gives students the opportunity to explore and apply knowledge in design thinking, global technology and development, and technological and scientific innovation to create real change with and within communities. Working collaboratively, student teams, faculty, and community partners identify and work to implement sustainable solutions that promote resilience and change that makes a positive difference for people.
MS in Global Health
From biomedical devices to mobile health apps to telemedicine, technology is reshaping every aspect of global health. At WPI, we approach everything—including our global health program—with a STEM focus, making it the ideal place to study. As an institution that believes in turning knowledge into action, our program also provides opportunities to further health equity and social justice.
Media Coverage
See More Media CoverageCalendar
See More EventsProject Work in the Global School
The Global School rests on a foundation of extraordinary project work conducted over the past half century and is bolstered with WPI's academic offerings and The Global School's intensive, field-based research approach. To prepare for meaningful careers where they can make real change in the world, students, faculty, and community partners collaborate on team-based, interdisciplinary projects that address real issues in more than 50 communities from the local Worcester region to as far away as Australia. This approach of co-creation transforms lives with ethical and sustainable solutions.
Students work with the university's Global Experience Office to ensure they are fully prepared for their global projects.
Great Problems Seminar Celebrates 15 Years
WPI's Great Problems Seminar (GPS) immerses first-year students in university-level research for complex global challenges. This signature program recently marked 15 years of preparing students for developing ethical global solutions, and it also has a new director.
Research in The Global School
Every student at WPI participates in The Global School research throughout their years here and particularly with their work in the Global Projects Program. The Global School crosses all disciplines to create a network of rich research opportunities and results that foster community-based action. Drawing on deep area knowledge and concern for social justice, our interdisciplinary research, in collaboration with governments, NGOs, and other global organizations, uses design thinking to develop solutions that support community needs and aspirations.
The Student and Alumni Perspective
Alum Success Story: Jacob Morse '21, MS '23
Jacob wants to help cities adapt to climate change
Student Impact
Martin Thulani Milanzi Brings STEM to Refugees in Zambia
Fulbright Scholar Solange Uwera's Path to WPI
Uwera came to WPI as a Fulbright Scholar and is finding an ideal fit between her ambitious academic pursuits and her varied personal interests.
Project Work Offers an Immersive, Interdisciplinary Experience
Making a Difference in Armenia
Through a partnership with the American University of Armenia and driven by alum Mike Aghajanian '80, WPI students have worked on projects that make an impact at one of WPI's newer project centers.
A Sweet, Interdisciplinary Experience
The Switzerland Project Center is one of the few to host both Interactive Qualifying Projects (IQP) and Major Qualifying Projects (MQP).
Student Project: Living With Fracking in Albania
This student team won first place in the President's IQP Awards for their project highlighting fracking's impact on women in Albania
Global Impact: White Mountains, New Hampshire Project Center
Building Confidence While Helping the Environment
WPI’s First Project Center
WPI's Washington DC project center celebrates its 50th year
Lifelong Impact of Project Work
Discover the long-term professional and personal impact of project-based learning (PBL)
Q&A with Colin Watters, Director of Global Risk Management
Answers to questions about ways to keep travelers safe
Dominic Golding
Learn more about the teaching professor of The Global School and director of the London and Nantucket project centers
Do you need more information?
For international research opportunities or institutional collaborations with The Global School contact Dean Mimi Sheller.
For Global Projects Program partnership or project sponsor opportunities, contact Associate Dean Kent Rissmiller.
For graduate studies information in The Global School, contact Professor Sarah Strauss.
For graduate admissions information, contact Graduate Admissions.
For general information, contact Dawn Farmer.
Four Schools. One WPI.