Graduate Student Experience

What’s it like being a graduate student at WPI?

At WPI, you can expect a well-rounded graduate education and student experience that prepares you for the future of work. You’ll elevate your STEM expertise while developing the professional skills that make you stand out.

As a WPI graduate student, you will…

Make your degree yours by customizing your plan of study.
Gain vital professional experience in the field through internships, co-ops, and corporate partnerships.
Immerse yourself in meaningful, impact-driven research.
Receive 1:1 support from career counselors, academic advisors, and Student Success managers.
Learn how to use your STEM expertise to solve real, urgent problems in the world.

WPI student in a white lab coat uses high-tech equipment in a materials science lab

RJ Franzen BS, MS '25

BS in Chemical Engineering; MS in Chemical Engineering with a concentration in Advanced Process Engineering

Active fraternity member RJ seeks to make a difference in the community while applying his skills learned inside and outside the classroom. [...]

STUDY

Make Your Degree Yours

Flexible programs: One thing that distinguishes WPI Graduate & Professional Studies from other graduate schools is the ability to customize your plan of study with your pick of electives.
Custom capstone: Complete a thesis or capstone project that’s actually relevant to your career goals and interests.
Online or on campus: Choose a program that fits your schedule.

View STEM-Designated
Graduate Programs

Two WPI students collaborate on a piece of technology in a photonics lab

At WPI, graduate students are key contributors to a vibrant research community, working alongside faculty, top research institutions, and corporate partners. This collaboration, combined with a focus on interdisciplinary skills, equips you to tackle complex challenges from multiple perspectives—making you highly sought after by employers.

Learn About WPI Graduate Research Search for Graduate Fellowships

Learn From World-Class Faculty

Craig Shue

Professor & Department Head, Computer Science

I am interested in computer networking and security. Given the significance of the Internet in our economy and society, I am interested in improvements and studies that can have a real-world impact. My recent work has focused on how to make both enterprise and residential network [...]

Donald Gelosh

Director, Systems Engineering, Graduate & Professional Studies

Dr. Don Gelosh is Director of Systems Engineering Programs for WPI. In this role, Dr. Gelosh works closely with WPI’s faculty in the development of systems engineering programs. Dr. Gelosh also works with an external Systems Engineering Advisory Council and fosters partnerships a [...]

Adrienne Hall-Phillips

Associate Professor, The Business School

Being an educator is more than just distributing facts and figures; it's demonstrating the importance of this knowledge in a way that can be relevant for every learner. It's not truly knowledge until the student can grasp and apply it. I consider myself to be an advocate for know [...]

Ali Rangwala

Professor, Fire Protection Engineering

  Professor Rangwala’s research interests include problems related to industrial fire and explosion problems. He has worked on topics such as deflagration of combustible dust clouds, ignition behavior of combustible dust layers, in-situ burning of oil, spread of an oil slick [...]

Elke Rundensteiner

Professor, Computer Science, Program Head, Data Science, Computer Science

As founding Head of the interdisciplinary Data Science program here at WPI, I take great pleasure in doing all in my power to support the Data Science community in all its facets from research collaborations, and new educational initiatives to our innovative industry-sponsored an [...]

Craig Shue

Professor & Department Head, Computer Science

Donald Gelosh

Director, Systems Engineering, Graduate & Professional Studies

Adrienne Hall-Phillips

Associate Professor, The Business School

Ali Rangwala

Professor, Fire Protection Engineering

Elke Rundensteiner

Professor, Computer Science, Program Head, Data Science, Computer Science

Craig Shue

Professor & Department Head, Computer Science

A WPI student wearing a suit stands behind a table and presents their innovation

As a WPI graduate student, you will not only develop the multidimensional skillset that top companies are demanding, but also get the hands-on career support you need to land that promotion or enter the workforce with confidence.

Resources to Help You Prepare for Life After Graduation

To best prepare our graduate and postdoctoral students for the rapidly evolving and increasingly competitive future of STEM, we offer a number of professional development programs throughout the year.

These programs are free of charge and open to WPI graduate students and postdocs from all disciplines.

→ View all programming

The HCDC helps students explore possible career paths, connect with employers and alumni, gain insights into the labor market, prepare for interviews and salary negotiations, and much more.

→ Check out career resources

Handshake, a career platform accessible to WPI students, is where you can apply to internships, co-ops, and jobs that match your career goals and interests. You can also sign up to attend career fairs, workshops, networking events, and more.

→ Explore Handshake

For international students in the Business School at WPI who crave admissions and career support tailored to their specific needs, the Interstride portal offers job searching, networking, and career building opportunities. It also helps lessen the many practical and social hurdles international students experience when transitioning to the US.

→ Find out more about Interstride

You can minimize your graduate school costs and engage in meaningful teaching or research with a graduate assistantship from WPI. These positions are awarded on a competitive basis.

→ More info about graduate assistantships

International graduate students at WPI stand in front of a large map and point to their countries of origin

International Student Life

Join a Multicultural Community

The Office of International Student Life (ISL) will help you find housing in the US, adjust to a new environment, cultivate new friendships, and much more. With our help, WPI will become your home away from home before you know it.

See International Student Resources

A smiling therapy dog visits WPI students on Wellness Day, held once per term

Student Support

Helping Hands Everywhere You Turn

Our kind and supportive community has your back. You’ll get direct assistance and abundant resources to help you not only succeed but thrive:

Campus-Wide Wellness Days
Center for Well-Being
Academic Coaching
Student Ambassadors
Student Success Team

View Graduate Student Resources

Student Success Team

Manage Graduate School With Less Stress

At WPI, every graduate student gets connected with a member of the Student Success team. As your first point of contact on campus, your Student Success manager supports you from matriculation to graduation. They’ll help you balance school and life as a working professional, register for courses, connect to wellness resources, and much more.

Meet the Student Success Team

International Student Life

Join a Multicultural Community

The Office of International Student Life (ISL) will help you find housing in the US, adjust to a new environment, cultivate new friendships, and much more. With our help, WPI will become your home away from home before you know it.

See International Student Resources

Student Support

Helping Hands Everywhere You Turn

Our kind and supportive community has your back. You’ll get direct assistance and abundant resources to help you not only succeed but thrive:

Campus-Wide Wellness Days
Center for Well-Being
Academic Coaching
Student Ambassadors
Student Success Team

View Graduate Student Resources

Student Success Team

Manage Graduate School With Less Stress

At WPI, every graduate student gets connected with a member of the Student Success team. As your first point of contact on campus, your Student Success manager supports you from matriculation to graduation. They’ll help you balance school and life as a working professional, register for courses, connect to wellness resources, and much more.

Meet the Student Success Team

International Student Life

Join a Multicultural Community

The Office of International Student Life (ISL) will help you find housing in the US, adjust to a new environment, cultivate new friendships, and much more. With our help, WPI will become your home away from home before you know it.

See International Student Resources

Enjoy Endless Things to Do

For graduate students at WPI, getting involved and staying active in the community couldn’t be easier. Options include:

Discipline-specific organizations
Department-sponsored events
Socials, outings, and events organized by the WPI Graduate Student Government
International clubs and events sponsored by the Office of International Student Life
Faith-based clubs
Arts, culture, food, and nightlife in Worcester, the second-largest city in New England

Partake in Programs & Events

Graduate students play an active role in the larger WPI community, and they also get to enjoy their own dedicated programs. Here’s just a small sampling of annual events for WPI graduate students:

Orientation
Start-of-the-Year BBQ
Graduate Research in Innovation Exchange (GRIE) poster presentations
Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) competition
PhD Weekend
Graduate Alumni Career Panel
Commencement

WORCESTER, MA

Find Your Fit in Our Flourishing City

Did you know that Worcester is the second-largest city in New England? A booming college town with over 38,000 students, it’s also a growing hub for industries like bioengineering, drug manufacturing, healthcare, and technology. Take advantage of networking and internship opportunities, the resources of other institutions, and the expanding international community. Conveniently travel to nearby Boston, Providence, and New York City.

Discover Central Massachusetts

What’s it like being a graduate student at WPI?

Student Spotlight

Make Your Degree Yours

Get a Transformative STEM Education

Whether you’re on a thesis or non-thesis track, you’ll gain lots of practice collaborating with peers and faculty from different disciplines. This will prepare you to solve problems from multiple perspectives and be an effective team member in your future workplace on day one.

Take Graduate Courses Online Without Sacrificing Quality

When you enroll in an online graduate program at WPI, you’ll receive the same prestigious education that you would receive on campus, only with greater flexibility. In many cases, if a course has a lab component, you’ll be able to access our on-campus labs without a problem.

Read More:

Solve Problems and Make an Impact

Learn From World-Class Faculty

Build the Career of the Future

As a WPI graduate student, you will not only develop the multidimensional skillset that top companies are demanding, but also get the hands-on career support you need to land that promotion or enter the workforce with confidence.

Resources to Help You Prepare for Life After Graduation

Read More:

Join a Multicultural Community

The Office of International Student Life (ISL) will help you find housing in the US, adjust to a new environment, cultivate new friendships, and much more. With our help, WPI will become your home away from home before you know it.

Helping Hands Everywhere You Turn

Our kind and supportive community has your back. You’ll get direct assistance and abundant resources to help you not only succeed but thrive:

Manage Graduate School With Less Stress

Join a Multicultural Community

The Office of International Student Life (ISL) will help you find housing in the US, adjust to a new environment, cultivate new friendships, and much more. With our help, WPI will become your home away from home before you know it.

Helping Hands Everywhere You Turn

Our kind and supportive community has your back. You’ll get direct assistance and abundant resources to help you not only succeed but thrive:

Manage Graduate School With Less Stress

Join a Multicultural Community

The Office of International Student Life (ISL) will help you find housing in the US, adjust to a new environment, cultivate new friendships, and much more. With our help, WPI will become your home away from home before you know it.

Enjoy Endless Things to Do

For graduate students at WPI, getting involved and staying active in the community couldn’t be easier. Options include:

Partake in Programs & Events

Graduate students play an active role in the larger WPI community, and they also get to enjoy their own dedicated programs. Here’s just a small sampling of annual events for WPI graduate students:

Find Your Fit in Our Flourishing City