Marist, Syracuse University Launch 4+2 Engineering Pathway
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April 21, 2026 鈥� Marist University鈥檚 School of Science has announced a new academic partnership with Syracuse University鈥檚 College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS), creating a streamlined pathway for Marist undergraduates to earn a 30鈥慶redit master鈥檚 degree in engineering. The program enables Marist students to turn their interest in science into a high鈥慸emand engineering career鈥攊n just six years.
Called a 4+2 degree pathway because students earn their bachelor鈥檚 degree in four years and then their master鈥檚 two years immediately after that, the program was designed with flexibility in mind.
- The partnership allows students to explore and build a strong foundation in science at Marist while securing a clear, direct path into Syracuse ECS for advanced study.
- Students do not need to commit to engineering as high school seniors; instead, they gain the freedom to discover their academic interests knowing a direct pathway to a master鈥檚 degree in engineering is available.
Students who maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher and receive a faculty recommendation will be guaranteed direct admission into one of Syracuse ECS鈥檚 master鈥檚 programs, subject to space availability, offering an efficient and accelerated route to an in鈥慸emand graduate credential that helps them stand out in the job market.
The pathway includes a specialized bridge course designed to equip students from non鈥慹ngineering backgrounds with essential engineering fundamentals, ensuring a smooth and confident transition into graduate鈥憀evel coursework.
鈥淲e are genuinely excited about this new agreement, which creates a clear and streamlined pathway for our students to advance into a Master鈥檚 of Engineering program at Syracuse University,鈥� said Dr. Alicia Slater, Dean of Marist鈥檚 School of Science. 鈥淭his opportunity opens access to a high-demand field while reinforcing our commitment to our students鈥� success.鈥�
Through this partnership, participating Marist students will have access to a wide range of Syracuse University master鈥檚 programs in high鈥慻rowth fields, including biomedical, chemical, mechanical, civil, and environmental engineering, as well as computer engineering, computer science, and cybersecurity鈥攑reparing graduates to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving global workforce with both a rigorous science background and advanced engineering expertise.
鈥淭his partnership with Syracuse University strengthens Marist鈥檚 commitment to providing ambitious, career鈥慺ocused academic opportunities for our students,鈥� said Dr. Neil Fitzgerald, professor of chemistry and the inaugural Joseph T. Negler 鈥�70 Chair of Science. 鈥淥ur graduates are a source of pride for us, and we are very pleased to offer them a direct route into the engineering profession through this innovative collaboration.鈥�
Marist students interested in learning more about the 4+2 engineering pathway are encouraged to speak with Dr. Fitzgerald for additional details.
