ECPI University

Eighteen campuses across the Southeast with a nationwide online presence

Innovation in career education is defined by how well schools connect learning with real workforce opportunities. ECPI University has made this connection a central part of its mission. With 18 campuses across the Southeast and a nationwide online presence, the University has built an extensive network of more than 2,100 employer partners. These collaborations create pathways that lower the cost of education, accelerate graduation, and link students directly to careers in high-demand fields.

Since the creation of its University Partnerships (UP) department in 2015, ECPI has offered employers a dollar-for-dollar scholarship match on private cash payments made by employees or their dependents. This approach provides companies with a no-cost education benefit that supports employee recruitment and retention while reducing the financial burden of education for working adults and their families. To date, these partnerships have saved ECPI students more than $20 million in educational costs.

A leading example of ECPI’s innovation in collaboration is its registered apprenticeship program with Volvo Cars USA. Together, the partners created a U.S. Department of Labor-approved Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship to address shortages of skilled multi-craft maintenance technicians in advanced manufacturing. Based at Volvo’s Charleston, South Carolina facility, the program blends classroom instruction with paid, on-the-job training. In just two years employees earn stackable credentials, a state-recognized certificate, a Department of Labor credential, and a promotion. The partnership has since expanded to cover HVAC and facilities maintenance, and Nucor Steel has added a cohort to the program, demonstrating its adaptability across industries.

ECPI’s partnerships are designed for long-term impact. Every employer partner receives a structured engagement plan that includes quarterly hiring events, career fairs, lunch-and-learns, and campus visits. Career Services provides direct support, from pre-screening candidates to coordinating interviews, ensuring employers remain closely connected with students throughout their studies. By working with national education benefit providers, ECPI also makes tuition support easier to access for employees across large corporations and franchise networks. The University has streamlined benefit verification to reduce administrative steps for both students and employers.

Curriculum alignment is guided by more than 600 advisory boards that meet twice each year. Each board includes hiring managers, alumni, and subject matter experts, who provide feedback on program content, lab technologies, software platforms, certifications, and clinical skills. These meetings ensure that ECPI programs continually evolve in response to industry needs. Employers also emphasize soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and professionalism, which ECPI embeds directly into its curriculum alongside technical training.

Students benefit from accelerated degree pathways and structured support services. With year-round schedules, associate degrees can be completed in 14–18 months and bachelor’s degrees in 30 months. Programs are supported by more than 80 certifications, taught in simulation-based labs, and delivered in small classes with a faculty-to-student ratio of under 15:1. To help students persist through challenges, ECPI provides free tutoring for every course, Student Success Coordinators, and 24/7 personal support through WellConnect. Career Services remain available after graduation, offering lifelong assistance for alumni navigating career changes or advancement.

Through these efforts, ECPI University has established a model of collaboration that connects students, employers, and industry leaders. Its partnerships reduce barriers to education, align academic programs with workforce needs, and create direct pathways to employment.