Fast-Track to the Future: MCPHS and WPI Expand Academic Partnership

New dual-degree and fast-track programs will help students move from undergraduate to graduate study in high-demand biomedical and biotech fields.

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) is deepening its collaboration with Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), unveiling new degree pathways that give students an accelerated track from undergraduate studies to advanced degrees in health, life sciences, and technology.

The formal agreement was finalized on October 9 by MCPHS President Richard J. Lessard and WPI President Grace J. Wang. The event featured brief remarks and photo opportunities—highlighting both institutions’ shared commitment to preparing the next generation of healthcare innovators and advancing Worcester’s growing reputation as a hub for biotech and medical research.

“Through this agreement, this partnership reflects the spirit of collaboration that defines Worcester’s higher education ecosystem. MCPHS is proud to strengthen our long-standing partnership with WPI, creating new opportunities for students to seamlessly advance their education and careers at the intersection of healthcare, life sciences, and technology,” President Lessard said.

Under the expanded partnership, MCPHS students in pharmacy, biotechnology, and molecular biology programs will have streamlined access to graduate-level programs at WPI, including life sciences, data science, and biomedical engineering. Likewise, WPI students pursuing STEM fields will benefit from easier entry into MCPHS graduate programs, creating a true two-way bridge for advanced study.

“By creating clear, cross-institutional pathways that connect WPI’s strengths in biomedical engineering with MCPHS’s expertise in pharmacy and health sciences, we are preparing students to advance from rigorous undergraduate programs into specialized graduate study,” President Wang said. “These programs will produce highly skilled professionals ready to make real impact, from leading breakthrough medical research to developing innovative biotech and pharmaceutical solutions that improve health and fuel the growth of the life sciences economy.” 

The expanded partnership comes at a pivotal moment, as interdisciplinary skills and collaboration are increasingly essential in today’s life sciences workforce. Students will benefit from clearly defined pathways, personalized advising, and a seamless transition between institutions—all within Worcester’s dynamic academic and innovation ecosystem.

The signing event brought together leaders, faculty, and students from both institutions to celebrate the milestone, including Barbara McCauley, MCPHS Associate Provost for Academic Innovation, and Robert DiCenzo, Associate Provost for Pharmacy Education.

In her remarks, MCPHS Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Caroline Zeind highlighted how the programs will shape careers and strengthen both schools as leaders in healthcare, life sciences, and technology.

“We see great promise in advancing our institutions—both of them. The teaching and research goals through this collaboration will allow us to cross disciplines at our institutions,” Provost Zeind said. “This will provide rich opportunities for faculty and students to collaborate and to integrate engineering, technology, and life sciences to address real-world problems and contribute to positive changes in our society.”