Editing Worcester Polytechnic Institute (section)

==Academics==

===Project-based learning system===

WPI's curriculum is focused on [[project-based learning]], an emphasis established in 1970 as part of what was called the WPI Plan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wpi.edu/project-based-learning/wpi-plan|title=The WPI Plan|website=WPI|language=en|access-date=September 16, 2019}}</ref>

====WPI Plan====
WPI has 7-week terms, labeled A through D, with optional E Terms (session 1 and session 2) in the summer. Students typically take three courses during each term, which allows students to complete a year's worth of Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, etc. in only one semester. The graduate student calendar follows a mixed schedule of conventional two semester classes and traditional 7-week courses.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=10 things to know about the WPI Plan |url=https://www.wpi.edu/project-based-learning/project-based-education/10-things-to-know-wpi-plan |access-date=October 27, 2023 |website=WPI}}</ref> Unlike many other universities, WPI does not have required academic prerequisites.<ref name=":0" />

====Global Projects Program====

Through the Global Projects Program, over 60% of WPI students complete at least one of their required projects at an off-campus Project Center. Through the Global Projects Program, WPI sends more engineering students abroad than any US college or university. As of the 2019–2020 academic year, the program included over 50 Project Centers on six continents.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wpi.edu/project-based-learning/global-project-program/project-centers|title=Project Center Directory|website=WPI|language=en|access-date=September 16, 2019}}</ref>

====Interactive Qualifying Project====
The Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP) is described as a "project which relates technology and science to society or human needs."<ref>[http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/Projects/ WPI Projects Program] Retrieved July 28, 2006</ref> This project is very broad in scope, encompassing a wide variety of topics and actions. Generally, IQPs are designed to solve a societal problem using technology. This can range from improving high school science education to redesigning an irrigation system in Thailand. This project is often done off-campus through WPI's Global Projects Program. From an educational perspective, the IQP serves to emphasize team-based work and introduces a real-world responsibility absent from courses. Many IQPs have made a significant impact on the community in which they are done.

====Major Qualifying Project====
The Major Qualifying Project (MQP) assesses knowledge in a student's field of study. As mentioned above, this project is similar to a senior thesis, with students doing independent research or design. MQPs are often funded by either WPI or external corporations. Topics of MQPs done in the recent past include the design of the MIR 2 space station life support system module, a study of the effects of stress and nicotine on ADHD, the design of a research rocket, a mathematical viscoelastic cell motility model, experimental research of liquid crystals using atomic force microscopy, and the design of polymers for medicine delivery.<ref>
[http://www.wpi.edu/News/PPD/ WPI Project Presentation Day 2006],
Retrieved July 28, 2006.
</ref>

===Rankings and reputation===
{{Infobox US university ranking
| USNWR_NU = 86
| Wamo_NU = 99
| Forbes = 93
| QS_W = 801-1000
| THES_W = 601-800
| THE_WSJ = 120
| USNWR_W = 1358
| ARWU_W = 901-1000
}}

WPI was ranked tied for 86th among national universities in ''[[U.S. News & World Report]]'''s 2025 review of "Best Colleges" in the U.S. ''U.S. News & World Report'' also rated it tied at 63rd for "Most Innovative", 77th for "Best Value", and tied for 291st for "Top Performers on Social Mobility" among national universities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US News and World Report 2025 Bast Colleges--Worcester Polytechnic Institute |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/wpi-2233/overall-rankings}}</ref>

In 2013, ''[[Businessweek]]'' ranked WPI No. 1 in the nation for its part-time Master of Business Administration (MBA) program, and No. 1 in the nation for student satisfaction in the program.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wpi.edu/news/bbergbssch|title=Bloomberg Businessweek Rates WPI School of Business No. 1 in the Nation for Entrepreneurship|website=WPI|language=en|access-date=September 16, 2019}}</ref>

In August 2019, ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine's annual ranking of "America's Top Colleges" placed WPI at No. 93. "Forbes' college ranking is distinguished by its consumer-centric approach," said Caroline Howard, Director of Editorial Operations, Forbes. "The evaluation of the 650 undergraduate institutions is based exclusively on the quality of the education they provide, the experiences of the students and their post-graduate success and financial well-being."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbespr/2019/08/15/forbes-releases-annual-ranking-of-americas-top-colleges/|title=Forbes Releases Annual Ranking of America's Top Colleges|first=Forbes Corporate|last=Communications|website=Forbes}}</ref>

In 2017, WPI received a gold rating through [[Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education#STARS|Sustainability, Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System]] (also known as STARS) for its sustainability efforts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://stars.aashe.org/institutions/worcester-polytechnic-institute-ma/report/2017-05-23/|title=Worcester Polytechnic Institute|website=stars.aashe.org|language=en|access-date=July 22, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wpi.edu/news/wpi-earns-gold-star-sustainability-rating|title=WPI Earns Gold Star Sustainability Rating|work=WPI|access-date=July 22, 2017|language=en}}</ref> Worcester Polytechnic Institute is [[Higher education accreditation in the United States|accredited]] by the [[New England Commission of Higher Education]].<ref>{{Citation|title=Massachusetts Institutions – NECHE|publisher=[[New England Commission of Higher Education]]|url=https://www.neche.org/institutions/ma/|access-date=May 26, 2021}}</ref>