Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is about to experience a major growth spurt in Philadelphia.
As of January, the university will more than quadruple the size of its Philadelphia location as it expands into 38,000 square feet of completely renovated space in Center City to “provide students with an opportunity in science and technology education that doesn’t exist in Philadelphia,” said HU President Dr. Eric Darr.
For the past three years, HU has delivered courses to first-year students in 8,000 square feet of the historic Bourse Building on Independence Mall. Following their freshman year, HU’s Philadelphia students were required to transfer to the university’s main campus in downtown Harrisburg.
Not anymore.
The Middle States Commission of Higher Education has green-lighted HU’s plan to accommodate growth, which means the university can and will offer Bachelor of Science degrees in Interactive Media, Management and eBusiness – with concentrations in digital marketing and business analytics; Computer and Information Sciences and Cybersecurity at its new location at 1500 Spring Garden Street.
HU also has an eye on offering new master’s degree programs in its new Philadelphia space, which, like in the Bourse Building, the university will share with Hussian College.
HU’s Philadelphia and Harrisburg locations will maintain a symbiotic relationship going forward, Darr said.
Students attending classes in Philadelphia will have full access to HU’s 350,000-square-foot state-of-the-art educational tower in downtown Harrisburg. And students attending main campus can pursue all opportunities that exist at the Philadelphia location, which will accommodate up to 500 students, he said.
“The connection between the two locations will be strong, whether it’s internship opportunities, faculty sharing two locations and resources,” Darr said. “There will be all kinds of benefits to both locations.”
Designed by international design and consulting firm, Stantec Inc., HU’s new space sits across the street from the Community College of Philadelphia. Darr hopes to strengthen the university’s partnership with the college and establish new educational pathways for its students.
“The new space allows the delivery of all four years of our programs,” Darr said. “It completely changes what we do in Philadelphia. It’s a great opportunity.”
