Drexel University

What is the history of Drexel University?

Drexel University is a private research university founded in Philadelphia in 1891 by financier Anthony J. Drexel. It opened as the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry, with an emphasis on education that connected classroom study to practical work.

The institution became the Drexel Institute of Technology in 1936 and adopted the name Drexel University in 1970. Its cooperative education program, introduced in the early 20th century, remains central to many undergraduate degrees: students alternate academic study with periods of professional employment. Another major change came in 2002, when Drexel incorporated MCP Hahnemann University, substantially expanding its health-professions education. These developments help explain why the university combines engineering and design with business, health care, and other fields.

What are the faculties and departments at Drexel University?

Drexel organizes its academic programs across colleges and schools rather than a single undergraduate division. Its offerings span arts and sciences; engineering; computing and informatics; business; design and media; education; nursing and health professions; public health; medicine; and law.

Examples include the College of Engineering, College of Computing & Informatics, LeBow College of Business, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, College of Arts and Sciences, and College of Nursing and Health Professions. Drexel also has the Dornsife School of Public Health, Thomas R. Kline School of Law, and College of Medicine. Students can pursue bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees, depending on the school and program.

Academic calendars and experiential requirements matter when comparing majors. Drexel generally operates on a quarter system, and co-op schedules can change the sequence - and sometimes the length - of an undergraduate degree. Applicants should review the curriculum for their intended major rather than assume every program follows the same co-op plan or offers the same credentials.

What is the location of Drexel University?

Drexel University's main campus is in University City, a dense urban area of West Philadelphia. The setting places classrooms, residences, hospitals, employers, and other universities within or near the surrounding neighborhood.

Philadelphia's SEPTA transit network and the nearby 30th Street Station give students alternatives to driving; the station serves regional rail and intercity trains. Drexel also has facilities elsewhere in Philadelphia, particularly for health-professions education. A prospective student should check the location of their specific classes and clinical placements, since an offer of admission to Drexel does not mean every activity takes place on the main campus.

The urban setting can broaden access to internships and cultural institutions, but it also makes commuting time and transportation costs important planning considerations. Housing choices range from campus residences to private rentals in neighborhoods with different prices and travel times.

What is the mission and vision of Drexel University?

Drexel describes its educational mission in terms of combining academics, research, and experiential learning to address practical problems. Its longstanding co-op model is a concrete expression of that approach, though the amount and type of workplace experience depend on the program.

The university also emphasizes research, civic engagement, and connections with Philadelphia. These are statements of institutional priorities, not evidence that every student will obtain a particular internship, research position, or career outcome. Drexel is a private, nonsectarian university; applicants do not need a religious affiliation to attend.