Purdue University has announced a new Multidisciplinary Technology (MDT) bachelor's degree program in Indianapolis, designed to prepare students for emerging careers in technology and to strengthen Indiana’s STEM pipeline. The flexible, hands-on program is tailored to connect students with the city's innovative industry sectors and will provide pathways for transfer students.
The launch is connected to Purdue’s major strategic goals in its expansion to Indianapolis, and aims to provide students with an innovative, STEM-based curriculum integrated with regional tech and business communities.
“One of the main components of Purdue’s strategic initiative in Indianapolis is to ‘significantly grow the tech-driven economy throughout the state,’” said Daniel Castro, Purdue Polytechnic’s dean. “Purdue Polytechnic has taken this mandate and embraced it wholeheartedly with the launch of this program, which is designed for our students to be industry ready, day one, in truly any field they choose to work in.”
The MDT degree combines technology, design, business and engineering principles to equip students for careers in fields like cybersecurity, smart manufacturing and interactive experience design. The program is built around tailored pathways, allowing students to customize their education to match their interests and career goals.
A key feature of the program is its emphasis on using the city itself as a learning environment. Students will engage in real-world projects with industry partners, connecting academic theory with practical application.
“Purdue Polytechnic has the opportunity to leverage the city as an integrated laboratory in partnership with the community,” said Christian Rogers, assistant dean for Purdue Polytechnic in Indianapolis and an associate professor. Rogers noted that students will be connected with "innovative programming such as EPICS, VIP and the Data Mine through a multidisciplinary lens that gives students choice with highly flexible program such as our Bachelors in Multidisciplinary Technology.”
The MDT program is also specifically designed to support transfer students, offering clear pathways for those coming from institutions like Ivy Tech Community College to earn a Purdue degree. This structure provides stackable credentials, allowing students to "earn while you learn" and stay on track for graduation.
About Purdue University in Indianapolis
Purdue University in Indianapolis is a fully integrated expansion of West Lafayette, extending to central Indiana the academic rigor and accessible excellence for which Purdue is known. As the state’s only top 10 public university, most trusted university and most innovative university, Purdue is focused on and committed to strengthening its presence in Indiana’s industrial and technological center. Purdue University in Indianapolis is creating an innovative, STEM-based collegiate experience by connecting future-ready Purdue students and faculty in Indianapolis to local businesses to accelerate Indiana’s STEM pipeline and tech ecosystem, fueling impact for our region and the world.
Additional Information