Drexel University Undergraduate Programs: A Comprehensive Overview

Drexel University, a private research university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, offers a wide array of undergraduate programs designed to provide students with practical education and hands-on experience. Founded in 1891 by Anthony J. Drexel, the university has a long-standing commitment to career preparation and experiential learning. This article delves into the various aspects of Drexel's undergraduate programs, including its academic structure, popular majors, unique programs, and application process.

A Legacy of Innovation and Practical Education

Drexel University was founded as the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry. The institution was renamed as the Drexel Institute of Technology in 1936. Despite changes during its first century, the university has remained a privately controlled, non-sectarian, coeducational center of higher learning committed to practical education and hands-on experience in an occupational setting. The central aspect of Drexel University's focus on career preparation, in the form of its cooperative education program, was introduced in 1919.

Expansion and Transformation

Between 1995 and 2009, Drexel University underwent a period of significant change to its programs, enrollment, and facilities under the leadership of Dr. Constantine Papadakis, the university's president during that time. Papadakis oversaw Drexel's largest expansion in its history, with a 471 percent increase in its endowment and a 102 percent increase in student enrollment. He oversaw improved performance in collegiate rankings, the implementation of a more selective approach to admissions, and a more rigorous academic program at all levels. In 2002, Drexel University acquired and assumed management of the former Medical College of Pennsylvania (MCP) Hahnemann University, creating the Drexel University College of Medicine.

Academic Structure and Colleges

Degrees offered at Drexel University are housed within many colleges and schools that include the College of Arts & Sciences, the School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, & Health Systems, and the LeBow College of Business. Some colleges have schools and departments within them that cater to a specific type of degree. For example, the School of Economics is guided by the College of Business. The university comprises numerous colleges and schools, each offering a variety of undergraduate programs:

College of Arts and Sciences: This college embraces a hands-on, use-it-now approach, emphasizing experiential learning, research across disciplines, and global connectivity. With 20 undergraduate majors in the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities, students have ample opportunities to make an impact. The College offers more than 40 undergraduate minors and over a dozen certificate programs designed to expand your horizons and help position you for broad career potential.
Bennett S. LeBow College of Business: Dating back to the founding of the Drexel Institute in 1891, the LeBow College of Business offers undergraduate programs in various business-related fields. The undergraduate business program at LeBow has been ranked as 19th in the United States. Economics programs at the LeBow College of Business are housed within the School of Economics. In addition to the undergraduate program in economics, the school is home to an M.S. in Economics program as well as a PhD program in economics.
College of Engineering: One of Drexel's oldest and largest academic colleges, the College of Engineering served as the original focus of the career-oriented school upon its founding in 1891. The College of Engineering is home to several notable alumni, including two astronauts; financier Bennett S. LeBow, for whom the university's College of Business is named; and Paul Baran, inventor of the packet-switched network. In 1988, the program evolved into tDEC (the Drexel Engineering Curriculum)[38] which is composed of two full years of rigorous core engineering courses which encompass the freshman and sophomore years of the engineering student.
College of Computing and Informatics: Formed by the consolidation of the former College of Information Science & Technology (often called the "iSchool"), the Department of Computer Science, and the Computing and Security Technology program.
College of Medicine: Added to the colleges and schools of the university in 2002, having been formed upon the acquisition of MCP Hahnemann University.
School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems: Founded in 1961 as the United States' first Biomedical Engineering and Science Institute, the School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems focuses on the emerging field of biomedical science at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels.
College of Nursing and Health Professions: Formed in 2002 along with the College of Medicine. Offers more than 25 programs to undergraduate and graduate students in the fields of nursing, nutrition, health sciences, health services, and radiologic technology.
Goodwin College of Professional Studies: Established in 1892, the department now known as the College of Professional Studies has focused exclusively on educational programs and pursuits for nontraditional adult learners. Today, the Goodwin College of Professional Studies offers several options designed for adult learners at all stages of career and educational development.
Pennoni Honors College: Recognizes and promotes excellence among Drexel students. Students admitted to the Honors College live together and take many of the same classes; the college provides these students with access to unique cultural and social activities and a unique guest speaker series.
Thomas R. Kline School of Law: Upon its founding in 2006, the Thomas R. Kline School of Law, originally known as the Earle Mack School of Law, was the first law school founded in Philadelphia in more than three decades.
School of Education: One of the oldest schools within Drexel University, the modern School of Education dates back to the 1891 founding of the school. Originally, the Department of Education offered teacher training to women as one of its original, career-focused degree programs.
Dornsife School of Public Health: States that its mission is to "provide education, conduct research, and partner with communities and organizations to improve the health of populations".
Center for Hospitality and Sport Management: Formed in 2013, in an effort to house and consolidate academic programs in hospitality, tourism management, the culinary arts, and sport management.
Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship: Focusing specifically on the skills required to successfully start and launch a business, The Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship is the first and only freestanding school of entrepreneurship in the United States.

Drexel University Colleges and Schools:

College of Arts and Sciences
Bennett S. LeBow College of Business
College of Engineering
College of Computing and Informatics
College of Medicine
School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems
College of Nursing and Health Professions
Goodwin College of Professional Studies
Pennoni Honors College
Thomas R. Kline School of Law
School of Education
Dornsife School of Public Health
Center for Hospitality and Sport Management
Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship

Popular Majors and Programs

Some of the most popular majors at Drexel University include business, engineering, health professions, visual & performing arts, and the biological sciences.

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Engineering
Health Professions and Related Programs
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Visual and Performing Arts
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Social Sciences
Psychology
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

Specialized Programs

In addition to undergraduate majors and minors, Drexel offers a wide array of specialized program options that will allow you to develop the skills you need to excel as a professional and provide paths to ensure all students are able to meet their goals, including accelerated, bridge, combined, and interdisciplinary degrees, preprofessional programs (pre-med and pre-law), and international opportunities that allow you to explore learning environments around the globe.

Experiential Learning and Co-op Program

Drexelâs College of Arts and Sciences embraces a hands-on, use-it-now approach. With an emphasis on experiential learning, research across disciplines and global connectivity â you wonât have to wait four years to make an impact. Gain career-guiding experiences starting as early as your first year. Work for Fortune 500 companies during co-op. Collaborate with faculty on international research projects. Engage with non-profits, government agencies and grass-roots activists in our Community-Based Learning courses. The world wonât wait. Drexel's longstanding cooperative education, or "co-op" program is one of the largest and oldest in the United States. Drexel has a fully internet-based job database, where students can submit rÃ©sumÃ©s and request interviews with any of the thousands of companies that offer positions. Students also have the option of obtaining a co-op via independent search. A student graduating from Drexel's 5-year degree program typically has a total of 18 months of co-op with up to three different companies.

Admissions and Financial Aid

In 2024, Drexel University accepted 77.5% of undergraduate applicants, the 47th highest acceptance rate of Pennsylvania schools, with applicant competition considered very low. Those enrolled had an average 3.67 high school GPA. The university does not require submission of standardized test scores, but they will be considered when submitted. Applications to Drexel University for undergraduate study require a completed admission application, an application fee of $50, a personal essay, official high school transcripts, letters of recommendation, and standardized test scores. Students will also provide family income information for financial aid purposes and proof of financial responsibility if the applicant is an international student. Students will also need to submit a portfolio or writing supplement for certain programs. Degrees that require a portfolio include photography, architecture, and graphic design. Students must apply for financial aid before enrolling in classes at Drexel University and must apply every year thereafter as long as they remain enrolled. Aid may come in the form of student loans, Federal Work-Study, grants, and scholarships. The university encourages students to seek out scholarship and grant opportunities with the school, state, and private groups since funds from those sources donât need to be repaid after the student graduates. Undergraduate scholarships a student may qualify for include the Drexel Athletic Scholarship, Drexel Legacy Scholarship, or the Delaware Valley Science Fair Winners Scholarship. Graduate scholarships are also available and include fellowships, assistant awards, and awards based on a studentâs chosen program.

Campus Life and Resources

The 77-acre (31 ha) University City Main Campus of Drexel University is located just west of the Schuylkill River in the University City district of Philadelphia. It is Drexel's largest and oldest campus; the campus contains the university's administrative offices and serves as the main academic center for students. The northern, residential portion of the main campus is located in the Powelton Village section of West Philadelphia. The two prominent performing stages at Drexel University are the Mandell Theater and the Main Auditorium. The Main Auditorium dates back to the founding of Drexel and construction of its main hall. It features over 1000 seats, and a pipe organ installed in 1928. The 424-seat Mandell Theater was built in 1973 and features a more performance-oriented stage, including a full fly system, modern stage lighting facilities, stadium seating, and accommodations for wheelchairs. The Queen Lane Campus was purchased by Drexel University as part of its acquisition of MCP Hahnemann University. It is located in the East Falls neighborhood of northwest Philadelphia and is primarily utilized by first- and second-year medical students, and researchers. The Center City Campus is in the middle of Philadelphia, straddling the Vine Street Expressway between Broad and 15th Streets. In 2011, The Academy of Natural Sciences entered into an agreement to become a subsidiary of Drexel University. On January 5, 2009, Drexel University opened the Center for Graduate Studies in Sacramento, California. Drexel has an approximate Jewish population of 5% and has both a Chabad House and a Hillel. Both provide services to Jewish and non-Jewish students at Drexel. DUTV is Drexel's Philadelphia cable television station. The student operated station is part of the Paul F. Harron Studios at Drexel University. The Triangle has been the university's newspaper since 1926 and currently publishes on a biweekly basis every Friday of the academic term. The Triangle has won several Mark of Excellence Awards which honor the best in Student Journalism from the Society of Professional Journalists.

Student Life and Activities

Approximately 12 percent of Drexel's undergraduate population are members of a social fraternities and sororities. Drexel's school mascot is a dragon known as "Mario the Magnificent", named in honor of alumnus and Board of Trustees member Mario V. Mascioli after he attended every Drexel basketball for over 20 years. The Dragon has been the mascot of the school since around the mid-1920s; the first written reference to the Dragons occurred in 1928, when the football team was called "The Dragons in The Triangle". In addition to its NCAA Division I teams, Drexel University is home to 33 active club teams including men's ice hockey, lacrosse, water polo, squash, triathlon, and cycling. Other club teams include soccer, baseball, rugby, field hockey, and roller hockey.

Read also: Drexel University Scholarships

Alumni

Since its founding the university has graduated over 100,000 alumni. Certificate-earning alumni such as artist Violet Oakley and illustrator Frank Schoonover reflect the early emphasis on art as part of the university's curriculum. With World War II, the university's technical programs swelled, and as a result Drexel graduated alumni such as Paul Baran, one of the founding fathers of the Internet and one of the inventors of the packet switching network, and Norman Joseph Woodland, the inventor of barcode technology. In addition to its emphasis on technology Drexel has graduated several notable athletes such as National Basketball Association (NBA) basketball players Michael Anderson, Damion Lee, and Malik Rose, and several notable business people.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition at Drexel University for undergraduate students is $16,958 with a general per-term fee of $790. Some programs have a different tuition rate than the standard amount. For example, the Nursing Accelerated Career Entry program is $12,718 per semester, and the Nursing BSN Co-op program is $16,958 per semester. Students interested in graduate study will pay an amount based on the college in which their program is offered. Students taking classes in the College of Arts and Sciences will pay $1,265 for each credit hour, and students in the College of Computing & Informatics will pay $1,265 for each credit hour. Professional students in the law program will pay $1,495 per credit hour for their JD degree, and students enrolled in the College of Medicine will pay $28,624 per semester for the Doctor of Medicine program.

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