Salve Regina, Washington University collaborate on engineering dual degree

NEWPORT – Salve Regina University, in partnership with Washington University in St. Louis, is launching a dual-degree, five-year engineering program.

Graduates of the program will simultaneously earn a bachelor’s degree in math or chemistry from Salve and a bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, systems, chemical or biomedical engineering from WU.

James Fowler, Salve’s vice president for enrollment management, hopes the new offering entices more students to study at the school.

“Such a program will offer a pathway for recruitment to math and chemistry by attracting potential applicants seeking both engineering and a strong, liberal arts educational experience,” he said in a statement.

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Elizabeth Fitzgibbon, assistant professor of mathematical sciences at Salve, said her department and chemistry faculty “are proud to establish this partnership.”

In her prepared remarks, she added: “The program promises students the opportunity to develop foundational skills in a small and supportive environment founded on the tradition of the Sisters of Mercy, while also granting access to the resources available at Washington University’s highly regarded school of engineering.”

Available immediately, the program is open to both current and prospective Salve students meeting certain requirements. To qualify, pre-engineering Salve students must maintain a 3.25 grade point average with no grade below C- in any mathematics or science courses and also have the written recommendation of the program liaison to be eligible to continue on to the Washington University engineering program.

Split between the two campuses, students will take three years of coursework at the Newport-based college followed by two at the St. Louis school.

Emily Gowdey-Backus is a staff writer for PBN. You can follow her on Twitter @FlashGowdey or contact her via email, gowdey-backus@pbn.com.