Frequently Asked Questions

The Purdue Polytechnic Institute is one of 10 colleges at Purdue University administering undergraduate and graduate degrees.  It includes seven academic schools, departments, and divisions:  Aviation and Transportation Technology, Engineering Technology, Computer and Information Technology, Computer Graphics Technology, Construction Management Technology, Military Science & Technology, and Technology Leadership & Innovation.  The academic programs combine theory-based applied learning, team-based projects, integrated humanities and social science studies, competency-based credentialing, and a series of experiential components such as industry-sponsored senior capstone projects, internships, global immersions, and certification-earning activities.  The Purdue Polytechnic Institute learning experience is designed to produce graduates who not only have deep technical knowledge and applied skills in their chosen discipline, but also possess problem-solving, critical thinking, communications, and leadership skills sought by industries and communities.

As one of the Purdue Moves initiatives, the college is undergoing a major transformation that affects all facets of the college, the scope of which is so profound that a name change is warranted. The new name best embodies the characteristics, elements, and philosophy of the transformed college and readily represents a distinctive brand that highlights the unique nature of the learning experience. 

Yes, students will experience a number of new opportunities over the next few years.  Beginning in fall 2015, first-year students in West Lafayette will experience an academically integrated freshman year.  Design Thinking in Technology, First-Year Composition, and Fundamentals of Speech Communication courses, as well as gateway courses to a student’s major, will be integrated.  Fourth-year students will enjoy a growing number of capstone projects and experiences, most of which will be industry-sponsored.  Curricular and co-curricular internships are being added, with some students (including a group of “pre-Freshman”!) participating in summer 2015, reaching greater numbers of students in summer 2016.  The first competency-based degree will be offered fall 2015 in West Lafayette, while additional competency-based degrees are in development.  Beginning in the spring 2016 term, students will have an opportunity to participate in a faculty/staff-to-student mentoring program.  And finally, an ever-increasing number of courses will be transformed into a student-centered learning environment by incorporating active and collaborative learning as well as other student-centered teaching and learning practices and technologies.  Student-centered learning environments foster student engagement and student competence, as well as increased attainment of course-specific learning outcomes.

No, the names of the schools, departments, and divisions within the college (Aviation and Transportation Technology, Engineering Technology, Computer and Information Technology, Computer Graphics Technology, Construction Management Technology, Military Science & Technology, and Technology Leadership & Innovation) are not affected by the college’s name change.

The degrees continue to be granted by Purdue University, just as they were prior to the name change.  The names of the existing degrees and majors are not affected by the name change.  However, the Purdue Polytechnic Institute, as part of the transformation, is offering a significant increase in undergraduate opportunities  – 36 majors.

No. The name change does not affect a graduate’s transcripts. Transcripts include a list of the course names that existed when the courses were taken and also denote the degree name and college name that existed at the time the degree was awarded.  Although resumes typically list the university name and degree name (not the college name), graduates may choose to update their resumes if doing so would be advantageous.

Yes, the Statewide Technology locations are a direct extension of Purdue Polytechnic Institute at West Lafayette, so the Statewide names also change. For example, instead of “Purdue College of Technology at Kokomo”, the name is changed to “Purdue Polytechnic Institute at Kokomo.” In practice, this name may be referred to in shortened form as “Purdue Polytechnic Kokomo.”

Information gathered during a marketing research study suggests the name change, along with the transformative initiatives embodied within the Purdue Polytechnic Institute, will be viewed favorably by employers. Industry representatives, students, faculty, and alumni participated in the study, and industry representatives offered particularly strong support for the name change. 

No. Faculty tenure and academic policies are substantively unaffected by the name change, though administrative edits to policies may be required to reflect the name change.

No. The name change does not affect the rights, responsibilities, privileges, or authorities that existed prior to the name change.

Yes, there are notable differences among the well-regarded higher education names that include “Polytechnic”, such as Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, California Polytechnic State University, Arizona State University Polytechnic Campus, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and University of Wisconsin – Stout (branded as Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University).  The Purdue version includes a unique set of attributes [see FAQs #1 and 3] and includes academic schools, departments, and divisions administering degree programs only in aviation and transportation technology, engineering technology, computer and information technology, computer graphics technology, construction management technology, military science and technology, and technology leadership and innovation.  Although the Purdue Polytechnic Institute does not encompass the schools and departments of the College of Engineering, the College of Science, or any of the other colleges at Purdue University, it collaborates with the Brian Lamb School of Communication and the Department of English in the College of Liberal Arts.

“Purdue Polytechnic” is an appropriate shortened version for use with audiences external to the university, while “Polytechnic” may be used for internal audiences.