/Institutions/Catholic-University-of-America/json/2025-2026/Graduate-Announcements-local.json

/Institutions/Catholic-University-of-America/json/2025-2026/Graduate-Announcements.json

Graduate Announcements > College of Engineering, Physics, and Computing > History & Goals

History & Goals

History

The engineering program was established in 1896, soon after the founding of The Catholic University of America. The School of Engineering was formally established as a separate school in 1930 and was shortly thereafter renamed the School of Engineering and Architecture. In 1992 the School of Engineering and Architecture separated and became the School of Engineering and the School of Architecture and Planning.  In 2025, the School of Engineering was renamed the College of Engineering, Physics, and Computing.

Prior to 1950, the primary focus of the college was on undergraduate professional programs, although graduate programs had always been offered. However, research activity and graduate professional offerings have increased at a steady rate since 1950. Today the College of Engineering, Physics, and Computing offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in five academic programs as well as master's degrees in Artificial Intelligence, Engineering Management, Materials Science and Engineering, Data Analytics. The college prides itself on being a small Catholic engineering college that provides quality education with a personal touch.

Students can expect close interaction with faculty, small class sizes, a small student-to-teacher ratio and a faculty dedicated to teaching and research. All members of the full-time faculty hold doctoral degrees and are very active in funded research and scholarly publication.

The college's strong ties with local research institutions such as NASA, NIH, NIST, NRL etc., foster research collaborations and enable our faculty to bring research experience into the classroom. Students can benefit from research assistantships from funded research projects.

Goals

1. Goal 1: Distinction. Distinguish the CUA College of Engineering, Physics, and Computing through actions and communications as the Engineering School with Teaching and Research Excellence, Ethical Character Development, Caring Service, and the advantages of Location in the Capital of the United States of America.
2. Goal 2: Prosperity. The College will achieve prosperity by expanding and strengthening existing programs and establishing unique and timely new academic programs that serve the region, nation, and world with superior technical competence, incorporate moral and ethical values, and prepare future leaders.
3. Goal 3: Opportunity. The College will provide the best opportunities for Faculty, Staff, and Students to realize their full potential.

Graduate programs in the college emphasize both theory and application of advanced engineering principles. The goal of the college is to produce professional engineers, scientists and researchers who can contribute significantly to society through their chosen profession and scientific and research activities.