Purdue adds slew of ‘job-ready’ academic programs at Indianapolis campus

Purdue University is adding a slew of academic tracks for students in Indianapolis that it says match the city’s most prevalent job trends.

Over the next two years, Purdue will launch 15 new academic offerings spread between undergraduate and graduate degrees and a few certificate programs. The new courses focus on manufacturing, radiopharmaceuticals, construction, hospitality, technology and sports.

“We are being intentional with our academic offerings because creating a qualified workforce in these in-demand fields benefits everyone,” said David Umulis, Purdue’s senior vice provost for Indianapolis, in a release. “It helps our students hit the ground running in their career pursuits, it gives local business and industry partners ready access to qualified workers and it benefits our city and state leaders by keeping talent within Indiana’s borders.”

For the current 2025-26 school year, Purdue is starting the following programs:

• Bachelor of Science in actuarial science
• Bachelor of Science in integrated business and engineering
• Certificate in entrepreneurship and innovation
• Cornerstone certificate
• Master of Science in interdisciplinary engineering — sports engineering concentration
• Master of Science in Radiopharmaceutical Manufacturing
• Master of Science in Software Engineering

Then for the 2026-27, the university is adding more science and engineering concentrations including:

• Bachelor of Science in construction management technology
• Bachelor of Science in hospitality and tourism management
• Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering
• Bachelor of Science in multidisciplinary technology
• Master of Business and Technology
• Master of Science in Civil Engineering — concentration in construction engineering and business
• Master of Science in Civil Engineering — concentration in smart cities and urban informatics
• Master of Science in Sport Management

The university is partnering with Indianapolis firms on a few of the new programs.

For example, SpectronRx will team up with Purdue on its radiopharmaceutical management program. The sports engineering program will be instructed alongside engineers at the Dallara IndyCar factory in Speedway.

Purdue officials say they want to eventually reach 15,000 students in Indianapolis as the school embarks on a major development buildout. Purdue had just more than 2,600 students in the fall of 2024.