Students at Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduate school examine a device in a lab
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Exclusive Info Session | May 19, 2025
What's Different About a WPI Graduate Degree?

At a Glance

Available degrees: certificates, masters, PhDs; STEM-designated

Format: on campus and online

Avg. credits required: 30 

Avg. completion time: 2 years

Location: Worcester, MA

Next start date: August 21, 2025

#1

best online master's in engineering programs

Forbes (2023)
#4

best online master's program

Fortune (2024)
#18

for 40-year long-term return on investment (ROI)

U.S. News & World Report (2025)

Join a Program That's Made for This Moment

Think back to the tech you were using in high school—your phone, your go-to apps, your favorite platforms. No one had even heard of ChatGPT yet. A lot’s changed in just a few years, hasn’t it?

Anticipating how new advancements in tech will shape future workforce demands, Worcester Polytechnic Institute has added 15+ new graduate programs since 2020. These expanded degree offerings are in fast-growing fields like AI, fintech, explosion protection, and more—giving our graduate students a competitive edge like no other.

Don't just get ready for the future of work. Get ahead. 

Explore Industry-Connected Programs

 

Below, take a look at some of our most established and popular programs in areas where WPI is a global leader:

 

Biology, Biotechnology & Life Sciences (Certificate, MS, and PhD)

Worcester County is the hub for life sciences, with big names like AbbVie, Bristol Myers Squibb, Insulet, and more carving out a foothold in WPI's backyard. For current and aspiring scientists, there’s no better place to start your career in life sciences. 

We offer master’s degrees, PhDs, and certificates in the following programs:

  • Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
  • Biology and Biotechnology (Thesis)
  • Biomanufacturing
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Bioscience Management
  • Biochemistry
  • Biotechnology (Non-Thesis)
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Chemistry
  • Chemistry (Medicinal Plant Focus)
  • Life Sciences Management
  • Neuroscience
Computer Science (Certificate, MS, and PhD)
  • Combine core CS competencies with research in areas like artificial intelligence, data mining, learning sciences, game development, mobile computing, and security.
  • Our interdisciplinary curriculum empowers you to build a career in an exciting field such as medical technology, systems security, intelligent tutoring, health informatics, data mining, and more.
Data Science (Certificate, MS, and PhD)
  • WPI is one of the top six U.S. colleges with a master's in data science program that prepares students for high-paying, future-proof careers (Analytics Insight, 2025).
  • In this program, you’ll deepen your in-demand skills sought by employers in deep learning, machine learning, MLOPs, big data, reinforcement learning, generative AI, social media analytics, natural language processing, and more.
Robotics Engineering (Certificate, MS, and PhD)
  • Robotics engineering at WPI is more than building robots. It’s creating software to operate them, understanding how they communicate, and studying the ethical implications of using robots in a human world.
  • Robotics are transforming whole industries—from manufacturing and transportation to energy and healthcare to security and national defense. Be at the forefront of building, testing, and researching in our high-tech Autonomous Robotics Collaboration (ARC) Lab or Humanoid Robotics Lab.
Systems Engineering (Certificate, MS, and PhD)
  • Demand is soaring for systems engineers as organizations across industries are recognizing that complex engineering projects must be holistically designed and managed for the best outcomes.
  • In this program, you’ll learn to use the latest modeling and simulation tools and apply engineering methods to manage system costs, schedules, and performance. Advance toward your professional certification with courses approved by the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE).

 

NEW—These recently added programs prepare students for an increasingly competitive, STEM-focused market:

 

Artificial Intelligence (Certificate and MS)
  • Prepare for the AI career opportunities of the future. Build in-demand skills sought by employers in machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, generative AI, robotics planning, computer vision, responsible AI, and other areas.
  • Become career-ready with a custom degree in one of thirteen specializations, including AI & Security, AI & Health, AI & Software Systems, and many more across industries. An AI in Business graduate certificate is also available.
Explosion Protection Engineering (Certificate and MS)
  • The global need for explosion prevention and protection is higher than ever. Build skills in this high-growth field with applications in agriculture, chemical process safety, distilling, electric vehicles, energy storage, hydrogen fuel, manufacturing, mining, space exploration, transportation, and more.
  • Master the latest industry standards and best practices through a carefully curated curriculum designed in consultation with leading experts in the field.
Financial Technology (Certificate, MS, and PhD)
  • Advance your career by mastering critical aspects of fintech, including predictive analytics and programming applications for quantitative risk management, financial forecasting, corporate innovation, and financial modeling.
  • Mix finance principles, technology applications, data analytics, and regulatory frameworks to become an in-demand, forward-thinking professional.
  • Land a role on the rise as an AI and machine learning specialist in financial services, a blockchain developer and strategy consultant, a fintech product manager, or a regulatory technology specialist. 
Global Health (MS)
  • Address real global health challenges using the latest technology—including AI-assisted medical treatments, cloud computing, data analytics, and mobile health apps.
  • Build knowledge and skills across disciplines, ranging from AI and data science to social and natural science to engineering solutions—and support global health in the ways you’re most passionate about.
  • Prepare for career opportunities in a variety of domains, including healthcare, federal and state offices, non-profit and private foundations, research and development, and technology. 
Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Analytics
  • Meet the growing demand for professionals who steer data-driven decisions at the intersection of business, management, analytics, and strategy.
  • Prepare for a leadership role in analytics, project management, product management, or another emerging field. More than two-thirds of WPI MBA graduates report getting a promotion.
  • In this STEM-designated program, you can choose from concentrations in Applied Business Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Data-Driven Strategic Management, Marketing Analytics, or Operations Analytics.

Experience the WPI Difference

Project-powered excellence. Human-centered STEM. Real ROI. 

 

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Two students carry a large device inside a lab at WPI

Returns That Last a Lifetime

Build personal relationships with peers, advisors, and mentors. Join our active network of 40,000+ successful alumni who are leading innovation across industries. Hit the ground running with a higher-than-average starting salary: $96,180 for WPI Class of 2023 master's recipients.

 

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WPI graduate student holding up a robotic hand

Real-World Applications

Transform theory into practice through our project-based learning approach, which emphasizes practical skills, in-depth problem solving, and human-centered solutions. Work with partner organizations to examine real challenges in your industry.

 

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A graduate student in WPI's data science program writes on a whiteboard while other students and faculty watch

Personalized Learning Pathways

Make your degree yours. Design your own educational journey with customizable curricula and interdisciplinary tracks. Choose a specialization tailored to your career goals. 

 

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Worcester Polytechnic Institute students and a professor stand together inside a materials science lab

Premier Research Opportunities

Collaborate with leading researchers on work that matters at our Carnegie Research 1 (R1) institution. Make real contributions to publishable papers. Work with professors, not just for them.

 

R1 Designation

Worcester Polytechnic Institute is one of only 187 institutions in the U.S. with the R1 designation, given to those with the highest levels of research activity and doctorate production.

A Worcester Polytechnic Institute researcher wears augmented or virtual reality goggles while testing autonomous vehicle technology
A group of artificial intelligence faculty and students at Worcester Polytechnic Institute sit at a table and look at a large screen displaying data
Two researchers in a biomedical engineering lab at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Meaningful Outcomes

WPI alumna Morgan Stanton wearing a lab coat

Morgan Stanton '14 (PhD), CEO, Opal Therapeutics:

Having that experience of multidisciplinary work [at WPI] definitely shaped my approach to the complicated problems we’re trying to solve at Opal. One discipline isn’t going to cut it.

Katelyn Tropeano

Katelyn Tropeano, MS student, Business Management:

Group projects have allowed me to meet and connect with many of my classmates. The projects have also allowed me to work with real companies and startups that have given me great insights into what it takes to run a business, which one day I would like to do.

Amir Abdollahpour, PhD student in mechanical engineering at WPI

Amir Abdollahpour, PhD student, Mechanical Engineering:

My advisor, Professor Mortazavi, has been incredibly influential in my journey at WPI. He is both kind and supportive, creating an active and positive atmosphere within our research group. His guidance inspires both scientific curiosity and personal growth.

Exclusive Info Session | May 19, 2025
What's Different About a WPI Graduate Degree?

In this webinar, you will:

  • Hear from current WPI grad students and recent alumni about their experiences
  • Learn about our nationally recognized ROI and high starting salaries
  • Get to know your opportunities for internships and real-world capstone projects
  • See which leading companies hire WPI graduates
  • And more!

At WPI, we believe in the transformative power of our graduate education because we see its impact every day. Our community of leaders and innovators are at the forefront of solving tomorrow’s challenges by bringing humanity to STEM. Join us.