In an effort to increase women’s representation in the field of engineering, Sweet Briar College, a liberal arts educational institution for women in Virginia, has established a new pathway program for students to pursue a master’s degree in engineering with the University of Virginia.
The two institutions have launched a new program, UVAccelerate, that will provide students from Sweet Briar College the opportunity for early-entry into the master of engineering degree program with the University of Virginia. Interested students can apply to the UVAccelerate program in their junior year, and if accepted, will enroll in graduate level courses during their senior year. Each student who is accepted into the UVAccelerate program will partner with a faculty advisor from the University of Virginia who will guide them through their graduate level courses as they complete their undergraduate education in tandem.
“UVAccelerate is a high-quality and cost-effective option for Sweet Briar students who want a head start on a graduate degree in engineering, a field in which women are historically underrepresented. This partnership is a testament to both institutions’ commitment to expanding access and equity in STEM and we look forward to welcoming Sweet Briar students to the university,” said Jennifer L. West, dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Virginia.