Purdue Engineering sets record for new credentials, degrees to address market needs

Purdue’s College of Engineering has launched, approved or begun developing a record number of credential and degree programs for students in the past two years, boosting its innovative efforts to prepare the next generation of engineering leaders.
Fourteen new credential and degree programs have been introduced, approved or are in development by Purdue Engineering.

Purdue’s College of Engineering has launched, approved or begun developing a record number of credential and degree programs for students in the past two years, boosting its innovative efforts to prepare the next generation of engineering leaders.

From 2022-23 to 2023-24, the number of undergraduate credential and graduate degree programs introduced, approved or in development grew from two to seven. Then from 2023-24 to the current academic year, that number doubled, from seven to 14.

“Undergraduate and graduate students, as well as the workforce, are benefiting from this leap forward,” said Arvind Raman, the John A. Edwardson Dean of the College of Engineering. “Our progress is helping us realize a key Vision 2030 goal: to ‘develop market-responsive undergraduate majors, minors, certificates, concentrations and professional master’s, plus a robust honors program’ as part of our pillar to become ‘an impactful incubator of talent.’”

New skills, career advancement, greater knowledge

“The new opportunities enable students to develop new skills, obtain training to advance their careers, or enhance their existing knowledge,” said Tamara Kinzer-Ursem, the Marta Gross the Marta E. Gross Professor of Biomedical Engineering and associate dean of graduate and professional education for the College of Engineering. “In many cases, new programs are designed in collaboration with industry stakeholders to provide students with practical skills, technical depth and industry-ready expertise.”  

William Oakes, the college’s associate dean for undergraduate education, said: “The offerings provide ways for students to customize their degree plans to fit their unique career interests and prepare them for leadership in today’s global economy. Some of the credential programs are integrated with work experiences in the field.”

Semiconductor and public service certificates, engineering doctorate among groundbreakers

Semiconductor and public service certificates and an online Doctor of Engineering illustrate the new offerings’ uniqueness, quality and technical depth, as well as excellent training of next-generation technical leaders.

“The Semiconductors and Microelectronics certificate program is addressing compelling national priorities and preparing students for leadership in this increasingly critical field,” Oakes said. “It integrates experiences in industry with classwork.”

Launched in Spring 2023, the program gives undergraduate students in all majors broad technical exposure to topics in the areas of semiconductors and microelectronics. It introduces first-year students to semiconductors through weekly small seminars on a particular topic, problem or discipline. Students also explore technical areas via courses, as well as independent research, Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP), or full-time internships or co-ops with industry partners.  

In Spring 2025, the college plans to roll out the Innovation in Public Service certificate program for undergraduates – a first-of-its-kind program in the nation. Developed with the NobleReach Foundation, the offering is designed to increase the number of engineering graduates entering public service as technology leaders and innovators, providing a new pathway for students to federal government careers.

“Purdue Engineers will gain insights into critical and emerging technologies and areas within government requiring both technical expertise and its application to solving societal problems aligned with government needs,” Oakes said. “The certificate will include an internship with a government agency or other government-related experience.”

The College of Engineering recently launched its first 100% online doctoral degree. The Doctor of Engineering is a highly customizable program for professionals who want to enhance their careers while acquiring skills they can apply in their current jobs. The degree program features coursework on research methodology and advanced mathematics and statistics in addition to hundreds of engineering and other courses, all culminating in a research project.

“Cutting-edge advances in technology are rapidly emerging at the interface between traditional fields,” Kinzer-Ursem said. “The new interdisciplinary Doctor of Engineering degree was specifically designed for working professionals who seek to gain new skill sets in these emerging areas or to deepen their knowledge base in their areas of specialization by exploring new applications.”

14 new programs launched, approved or being developed in 2024-25

Business Essentials for Engineers (certificate)

Innovation in Public Service (certificate)

Space Engineering (certificate)

Quantum and Information Science (certificate)

Autonomy (MS)

Battery and Energy Storage Engineering (MS)

Biotechnology (MS)

Construction Engineering and Business (MS)

Internet of Things (MS)

Logistics Systems Engineering (MS)

Robotics (MS)

SmartCities and Urban Analytics (MS)

Software Engineering (MS)

Doctor of Engineering