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University Programs

Academic Minor Programs
Drexel University offers undergraduates an academic minor option. Students who wish to complete an academic minor as part of their undergraduate program must meet the University’s general education requirements, must acquire some depth of knowledge in a major field of study, and must demonstrate some breadth of interest and ability in a second field of inquiry. The academic minor should enhance the student’s employability and acceptability to graduate and professional schools. For further information, see the List of all Minors.

Accelerated Degree Programs
The accelerated BS /MS, BS /MBA, BS /M.D., BS /D.P.T., BSN/MSN, BS /PhD, and BS / M.H.S. Physician Assistant are special degree programs that let academically qualified students earn both a bachelor’s and an advanced degree in as few as five years — the time it usually takes to earn the bachelor’s degree alone.

The application deadline for the following programs is December 1st. Applicants should be aware that space limitations within these programs result in a much more competitive admission policy. The number of seats available in each program varies, but we do not generally enroll more than 10 new students each year in any of the Accelerated Degree programs.

BS /M.D.
The BS /M.D. program allows students the opportunity to enter the Drexel University College of Medicine after three years of undergraduate study at Drexel. Acceptance into the program is limited. Interested students must apply to Drexel by December 1st of their senior year in high school.

BS /M.H.S. Physician Assistant
BS /M.H.S. Physician Assistant program allows the student the opportunity to enter the master’s-level Physician Assistant program as an undergraduate after completing a predetermined number of undergraduate credits.

3+3 BS /D.P.T. – Physical Therapy
The BS /D.P.T. program allows students to earn both a BS with a major in biological sciences and a doctor of physical therapy (D.P.T.) in six years.

BSN/MSN
The BSN/MSN program allows students to complete both the bachelor of science in nursing and the master of science in nursing degrees within five years. This program includes the Drexel Co-op experience.

BS /PhD Program in Engineering
The BS /PhD program allows students to complete a doctoral degree while concurrently pursuing their undergraduate engineering degree. The length of degree completion is determined in part by a student’s preparation in mathematics and science prior to entering the University, and how quickly a student can complete their undergraduate coursework.

BS /MS in Information Systems
This program allows students to complete a bachelor’s degree and one of the College of Information Science and Technology’s master’s degrees in information systems within five years.
This program includes the Drexel Co-op experience.

BS in Business/MBA
This program offers business majors the opportunity to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in business within five years. This program includes the Drexel Co-op experience.

BS in Music Industry/MBA
This program offers the highly motivated and musically focused student a program that combines music theory and technology with the MBA degree.

BS in Design and Merchandising/MBA
This program combines study in the areas of fashion retail merchandising or product development with the MBA degree.

BS /MS in Psychology
This program allows students to complete both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in psychology in five years. This program includes the Drexel Co-op experience.


Certification of Proficiency in a Foreign Language
The University awards an advanced-level Certification of Proficiency in a foreign language in recognition of exceptional ability in oral and written communication in that language. Certification is listed on the official college transcript.

Examinations leading to proficiency certification include listening comprehension, reading comprehension, and written analysis, and the ETS Achievement Test, which is also the qualifying examination for proficiency testing. Certification also requires successful completion of an extensive oral interview, with at least a “2” rating on the FSI/ACTFL rating scale. Certification indicates proven ability to function effectively in professional and social situations in a country in which the target language is spoken.

College-Level Examination Program
The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) allows students to obtain college credit for learning outside the classroom. Drexel University accepts CLEP selected general and subject exams, provided that the minimum scores set by the University are achieved. Drexel University also serves as a CLEP test center. In general, CLEP exams are administered on the third Friday of each month (except July, August, and December). Applications must be received at least two weeks before the test date. For more information concerning CLEP or to register for an exam, call the Goodwin College of Professional Studies, 215.895.2164.


Honors Program
The University Honors Program enriches the university experience for students with broad intellectual interests and demonstrated academic achievement. In the Honors Program students from all majors are offered:

• Individual attention concerning their academic progress
• A variety of courses that engage small groups of students with top Drexel faculty
• Special trips and cultural events
• Social gatherings
• The Honors Center, a congenial place to work or chat
• An honors housing option

Incoming freshmen may apply, as may current Drexel students and transfers who have earned fewer than 120 credits. Students are selected for admission based on their intellectual strengths, accomplishments, and motivation.

To remain in the Honors Program, students must maintain a GPA of 3.2 or higher and demonstrate conduct befitting an Honors student. Additionally, students entering the Program after September 1, 2003 must enroll in at least one honors course, beyond HON 200, within their first six quarters on campus, with all varieties of honors offerings (including designated tDEC and other foundation courses) “counting” toward fulfillment of this requirement; and to graduate from the Program, including graduating with Distinction, students must enroll in at least one Honors Colloquium or one of the Drexel Great Works Symposia.

Applications are available at the Honors Center, 5016 MacAlister Hall; 215-895-1267; fax: 215-895-6813; e-mail: honorscollege@drexel.edu.

Currently, three types of courses carry honors credits: honors sections of courses offered by various departments; interdisciplinary honors colloquia, sponsored by the Honors Program; and honors options, individual enrichment of non-honors courses for particular students, which must be approved in advance by the Program Director.

Qualified honors students may graduate with Distinction, the highest achievement possible. These students must complete 32 credits of honors courses and projects (21 credits for transfer students), maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher, and complete a senior project judged worthy of honors. Students aiming for this distinction will normally meet with the Program Director in their junior year to ensure that they understand the requirements and are prepared to meet them.

The Great Works Symposium
The Great Works Symposium is a series of team-taught, interdisciplinary courses, each one focused upon a great human achievement. Each course typically has at least three section instructors, representing three different academic disciplines, and typically there is a series of about ten guest lecturers, recognized experts on the topic, also representing a wide variety of disciplines and points of view.

The following Great Works symposia have been offered:

• Globalization
• The Atomic Bomb
• Frankenstein
• The Internet
• The Bhagavad-Gita
• The Brooklyn Bridge
• Yosemite National Park and the National Park System
• Christmas
• The Underground Railroad
• Oil: Resources, Technology, and Consequences
• The Statue of Liberty, and Liberty Itself

Each course is broader in its content than what could be covered by any one academic discipline or any single textbook, but each has a concrete center of focus. Each topic is broad and important enough that it is relevant to the education of any student. Topics are selected which have aspects of relevance to contemporary social, political, and economic concerns. All of the courses include the objectives of developing in students the following cognitive skills: reading, writing, listening, discussion, and critical thinking.

For course offerings, visit the current Great Works Symposium page.


ROTC
The Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, established at Drexel in 1918, is an integral part of the University. Army ROTC courses are open to all students, and enrollment alone does not carry a military obligation. Students selected for the advanced course (normally pre-junior, junior, and senior years) will complete their academic and military studies concurrently, and upon graduation will be commissioned as lieutenants in the United States Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard. Participation in the advanced course may qualify participants to receive financial aid through a series of scholarships and co-operative education programs. For further information, contact the Professor of Military Science, Drexel University, The Armory, 33rd and Market Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19104; 215-386-3882 or 215-590-8808/09.

Drexel students are eligible to participate in the Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps through a cross-enrollment agreement with Saint Joseph’s University. All aerospace studies courses are held on the Saint Joseph’s campus. This program offers two-year and four-year curricula leading to a commission as a second lieutenant in the Air Force. For further information, contact the Professor of Aerospace Studies, AFROTC Det 750, Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, PA 19131; 610-660-3190.

Participation in the Naval Reserve Officers’ Training Corps is available for Drexel students in cooperation with the unit at the University of Pennsylvania. Scholarships are available that pay all tuition, academic fees, and book costs. In addition, scholarship students receive a $100 stipend monthly. All naval science courses and drill periods are held on the University of Pennsylvania campus. The program offers the opportunity to graduate with a bachelor’s degree and a commission in the U.S. Navy or Marine Corps. For further information, contact the Director of Naval Science, NROTC Unit, Hollenback Center, 3000 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6399; 215-898-7436.

Teacher Certification Programs
Drexel offers a variety of state-approved teacher education programs that lead to certification in Pennsylvania and are recognized by approximately 30 other states. Instructional I certification may be obtained in the following subject areas at the undergraduate level:

• Mathematics (7–12)
• Sciences (7–12)
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Earth and space science
• Environmental education (K–12)
• General science
• Physics
• Elementary (K–6)

The full-time teacher education program incorporates a six-month paid co-op in industry or business and two three-month internships in industry related to the student’s area of certification. The program is designed to include those who wish to major in a specific discipline and be certified to teach. Pennsylvania certification requirements include a one-year induction period for first-year teachers and a statewide licensing examination.

A school library certification program is offered at the graduate level through the College of Information Science and Technology.

Additional information about teacher education programs may be obtained from the School of Education, 215-895-6770.

Any student who has a 3.0 average and has completed ENGL 101 and ENGL 102 may apply to become a Writing-Intensive Tutor (WIT). WITs take a special course—Humanities 159, Writing and Peer Tutoring Workshop—and after successful completion are assigned to a specific WI class for a term. WITs are paid for their work and participate in all aspects of the writing program. To become a WIT, visit the HUM 159 page or contact Harriet Levin Millan, Director, University Writing Program, 215-895-6485; e-mail: millanhl@drexel.edu.