The University educates students who will engage and lead in today’s increasingly diverse society
Founded in 1821, Widener University is a private university located in Chester, Pennsylvania. The university celebrates diversity, embraces multiculturalism and inclusion, and is committed to maintaining a welcoming and inclusive campus community for all. Widener prepares its students to achieve personal success and become active participants in a thriving democracy. The university encourages respectful listening, courageous leadership, and civic engagement, making it a unique and dominant force in higher education. Its 108-acre vibrant campus has more than 80 student organizations and offers more than 300 events and activities each year. The university has 23 NCAA Division III sports teams. Widener’s proximity to Philadelphia presents students with opportunities to experience the rich historic, athletic and cultural offerings that come from the metropolitan area.
Academic Offerings
Widener University consists of seven schools and colleges. It offers students a wide range of academic programs in the form of associate, baccalaureate, master, and doctoral degrees. The university’s School of Engineering offers courses in Biomedical, Civil, Chemical, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. The university is preparing the launch of the first undergraduate Robotics Engineering degree in the Philadelphia region this fall. Faculty take a personal interest in their students and often include them in their research work, fostering creativity and innovation and giving students high impact, hands-on learning experiences.
The Wall Street Journal recognized Widener as a top Philadelphia-region school. U.S. News & World Report rated Widener’s undergraduate engineering program among the top 100 in the nation for universities without engineering doctoral programs.
The School of Business Administration, School of Nursing, College of Arts & Sciences, School of Human Service Professions and two law schools: Commonwealth Law School and Delaware Law School complete the university.
President of Widener University
Passionate, fearless and an effective advocate and leader in higher education, Julie E. Wollman is the current President of Widener University. She is dedicated to providing students with transformative leadership experiences, hands-on learning opportunities that prepare them for successful careers, and cultivating a commitment to excellence in all that they do. With her relentless pursuit of excellence, she has articulated a clear vision and distinct goals for the university focused on providing an unparalleled student experience.
Providing Support
Scholarships provide support to students who have the aspirations and talents to grow, and need assistance with financial resources. Widener University provides financial aid so students can turn their academic dreams into realities. Various types of merit, academic, and talent-based educational financial assistance is available. Some scholarships include:
- Academic, Merit Scholarships
- Widener University Full-Tuition Scholarships
- Widener University Endowed Scholarships
- The Maguire Foundation Endowed Scholarships
- Military Scholarships
- Private Scholarships
Widener University automatically considers academic scholarships that range from $8,500 to full tuition coverage for full-time undergraduate day students when they apply for admission. Last year the university awarded financial assistance of more than $50 million.
The School of Engineering offers multiple scholarship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, based on academic merit, who are interested in pursuing engineering careers. This includes laptop scholarships that provide new machines for students who meet academic eligibility requirements.
Career Opportunities
Students want to acquire skills and experiences during college that demonstrate they are career-ready when they graduate. The value of relevant work experience gives them an advantage as they pursue employment in a competitive job market. Widener’s signature co-op program is a valuable way for eligible students to gain work experience before graduation. Directed by the Office of Career Services, the program has developed a wide network of employers across the Philadelphia region, including organizations like Boeing, GlaxoSmithKline, Philadelphia International Airport and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Eligible students in the School of Engineering, Computer Science Department and School of Business Administration and can gain up to one full year of paid work experience and still graduate in four years. Many co-op employers extend full-time positions to students after they graduate.
Widener University is also home to the Oskin Leadership Institute, which provides students an opportunity to earn a leadership certificate or minor in leadership studies. This is a value added program which assists students immensely as employers want to know the people they hire are able to lead, have strong ethical backgrounds, and know how to work effectively in teams. This Widener opportunity makes students even more competitive in the job market. According to Payscale, Widener is among the top 25 percent of more than 1,500 universities nationwide on the basis of median alumni salaries.
