Drexel offers students a "cooperative education," which means students can have education-enhancing practical jobs while they are learning. Students earn credits while working and gain valuable real-world experience. Students can be placed in one of more than 1,300 companies in 28 different states and even 25 international locations. Drexel began the experimental co-op learning program in 1919, and in 2010, has more than 9,500 students enrolled per year in this program. Drexel University is one of only three universities with a co-op learning program in the United States.
Drexel University has offered online distance learning programs since 1996. Students can enroll in certificate programs or get a master's or bachelor's degree in nursing, communications, psychology, engineering, public health and many other subjects. In distance-learning classes at Drexel, teachers instruct their students using innovative technology like Web-based white board programs and video or audio conferencing. Drexel's online classes also take advantage of learning tools like Web pages, discussion threads, email and instant messaging. Instruction materials include text, graphics and audio or video that can be accessed, downloaded or printed at any time.
Drexel is known for incorporating the latest technology into productive learning and was even the first university to require that students have microcomputers. Since then, Drexel has taken numerous steps toward blending with traditional learning with technological advances. Drexel was the first university to operate a fully wireless campus with access indoors and outdoors and also launched the first mobile Web portal for students. A Web portal service lets students access a wide variety of information anytime from anywhere as long as they have an Internet connection. Students attending Drexel learn with the most relevant, up-to-date technology and innovative classroom ideas.