In 1979, WPI's commitment to active, lifelong learning prompted the creation of the Advanced Distance Learning Network (ADLN). ADLN programs empower working professionals to continue to grow within their chosen field without having to take classes on campus. Students are not required to come to campus as there is no residency requirement for any of the distance programs. The ADLN website is found at http://www.wpi.edu/+ADLN.

ADLN delivers the same courses, content, and material as the on-campus programs. Our distance learning classes are developed and taught by the same faculty who teach on campus, and the distance course work and programs are the same as those received by students learning on-campus. WPI’s ADLN utilizes a combination of many technologies including an Internet based web site for each course, streaming video, simulations, and discussion boards, and more thereby utilizing the best delivery method for each specific course. Materials such as handouts and supplemental readings are posted on the Internet, and textbooks can be purchased locally or shipped from the WPI bookstore.

Distance Learning Programs
ADLN offers a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) in the management of technology, a Master of Science (M.S.) in fire protection engineering, and a Master of Science (M.S.) in civil and environmental engineering. In addition to these degree options, WPI's ADLN also offers numerous graduate certificate programs in these areas, as well as a graduate certificate in networking and wireless communications.

High-Tech M.B.A.
The M.B.A. program focuses exclusively on the management of technology which is core to all the courses in this program. Drawing from our more than 130 years as a technological university, WPI offers challenging, technology-oriented business programs that give its graduates a distinct edge in the high-tech management marketplace. WPI professors are experts in all aspects of technology management: leading technology-based organizations, integrating technology into organizations, and creating new products, services, processes and organizations based on technology. They combine cutting edge research with practical application of theory to develop the content for each course. Students come to the program with professional expertise in many areas of technology from manufacturing to computing to various medical fields. This 49-credit M.B.A. program may be reduced to as few as 31 credits with an appropriate academic background. A customized 14-credit graduate certificate program in management is also available.

Fire Protection Engineering
The Fire Protection Engineering (FPE) program is oriented toward developing a well-rounded professional who can be successful in a competitive career environment. The curriculum is designed to teach students current standards of practice and expose them to state-of-the-art research that uncovers new knowledge about fire behavior and fire protection methods. Bringing together talents from many disciplines with a common focus on fire safety issues, this leading-edge program takes a unique approach to fire protection engineering research and practice. In addition to the ten-course (30-credit) M.S. option, professionals with a B.S. degree in an engineering or science field who complete four thematically related FPE courses can receive a graduate certificate in FPE.

Environmental Engineering
The Environmental Engineering program focuses on today's environmental issues in water quality systems and waste remediation systems and their relationship to engineering, business, and law. Emphasis is placed on contemporary topics as well as emerging research applications. This program assists you with your understanding of a number of technical fields and in effectively managing projects involving complex managerial and regulatory issues. In addition to the eleven course (33-credit) Master of Science degree, a four-course graduate certificate is also available through ADLN.

Wireless Communications
The Wireless Communications certificate gives working engineers the up-to-date technological expertise they need to become part of the wireless communications industry. Hardware and software engineers can immediately put this information to work as they integrate the most recent network and wireless technologies into their product areas. Graduates of this program will be prepared for technical leadership positions in the design and implementation of all types of communications networks. A four-course graduate certificate is available.

Applying for Admission
Credits earned in any WPI certificate program can later be applied toward an advanced degree, contingent upon formal admission to graduate study. A maximum of two courses taken at WPI as a non-degree-seeking student may be applied for credit to the M.B.A. program; a maximum of four courses taken at WPI as a non-degree-seeking student may be applied for credit to an M.S. in fire protection engineering or an M.S. in environmental engineering. The M.B.A. program allows 18 foundation-level credits to be waived for those with appropriate academic backgrounds via waiver exams. The M.B.A. program, the M.S. in fire protection engineering, and the M.S. in environmental engineering allow students to transfer up to 9 credits from graduate-level course work at other schools. Graduate and Advanced Certificate programs require all credits to come from WPI.

To be considered for admission to the M.B.A. program or a graduate certificate in management, an applicant must hold a B.S. degree and possess the analytic aptitude necessary to complete a technology-oriented program. Admission to WPI's M.S. programs or graduate certificate options in fire protection engineering or environmental engineering require an applicant to hold a B.S. degree in an appropriate field of engineering, engineering technology, or science and meet department-specific admission standards. Conditional admission is available if all requirements are not met at the time of application. Admission to the wireless communications certificate program requires a B.S. degree in electrical engineering, computer science, or the equivalent. Admission applications are available online at http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/ADLN/Admissions/graddegree.html.

Non-degree-seeking students wishing to take management courses must demonstrate that they hold a bachelor's degree with an overall 3.0 (or equivalent) undergraduate grade point average or a completed graduate degree from an accredited university prior to being permitted to register for the courses. This requirement must be met with an official transcript submitted to the Office of Graduate Management Programs prior to registering for the first course. In addition, students must provide a personal statement explaining the motivation for their interest in WPI's graduate management program.

All departments require standard forms, official transcripts, and a $70 application fee. Management degree programs also require three letters of recommendation and GMAT scores. All international applicants must submit TOEFL scores. GRE scores are not required but may be substituted for the GMAT scores when applying for a graduate certificate in management.

Student Services
Academic advisers are assigned upon admission. Online library services including reference services are available by phone or e-mail, and all students are given a University computing account. Technology help services are available at least fourteen hours per day and can be accessed by e-mail or telephone. Career placement and counseling are available for admitted students. Books can be ordered toll-free from the WPI bookstore (888-WPI-BOOKS) and are typically delivered one to three days after ordering. The ADLN office is available by phone or e-mail to assist students with all questions.

Faculty
Management has 29 faculty members (21 full-time members and 8 part-time members), 26 of whom have Ph.D. degrees. Fire protection engineering has 6 full-time faculty members, all with Ph.D. degrees, and 2 part-time professors. Civil and environmental engineering has 13 full-time faculty members, all with Ph.D. degrees, and 8 part-time professors.

Costs
Tuition is $1042 per credit for all programs. Students wishing to earn Continuing Education Units (CEU) instead of graduate credit may opt to audit courses at half tuition.

Loan-based aid is available only through special arrangements. Students must be registered on at least a half-time basis (two courses per semester) for all government loan programs.

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