Two of Worcester’s oldest institutions of higher education have announced a new partnership to strengthen collaboration and provide new pathways for students. Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) President Grace Wang and Holy Cross President Vincent D. Rougeau signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on combined bachelor’s/master's degree programs.
These programs will provide opportunities for Holy Cross students to complete their Bachelor of Arts degree at Holy Cross and their Master of Science (M.S.) or Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) degree at WPI in an accelerated 4+1 model.
“For many years, WPI and Holy Cross have worked cooperatively on common goals and to engage in topics of mutual interest – and to drive positive changes in the best interest of higher education in Central Massachusetts. Now we are expanding our partnership, reflecting the innovative spirit of our respective institutions to foster an even closer network of collaboration,” Wang said. “This partnership will provide pathways for Holy Cross students to pursue graduate studies in a distinctive STEM institution while enriching WPI with exceptional graduate candidates.”
“We are delighted to collaborate with WPI on these innovative educational programs,” Rougeau said. “This partnership helps us expand our curriculum by connecting our model of outstanding liberal arts education with graduate training at one of the nation’s great technological universities. At the same time, we are able to work together to deepen our shared commitment to Worcester as a great place to live and learn.”
Holy Cross juniors majoring in mathematics and computer science or physics will be eligible to start the path toward completing the 4+1 program.
Initial M.S. and M.Eng. degree programs at WPI participating in this partnership are mechanical engineering and electrical and computer engineering, with more offerings in computer science, mathematics, physics, neuroscience, business and sustainability to be available in the near future.
Faculty and administrators from Holy Cross and WPI will be working together to build out the program offerings over the next several months.
