Degree-granting status and increase in enrollment Pratt Institute

world war 1 memorial in rose garden

as world war faced nation in 1914, pratt partnered united states government aid in war effort. school of science , technology had own student army training corps taught enlistees engineering skills needed war. students designed aircraft used in war , trained operators. in 1927, mechanical engineering alumnus donald a. hall designed spirit of saint louis, used charles lindbergh in world s first transatlantic flight.

by 1938 programs @ school began offering four-year bachelor of science degrees , pratt transformed being technical school rigorous college . granting bachelor s degrees, pratt had revise curriculum being two-year school being four-year college. changes reflected new york state requirements granting degrees , stricter government , professional licensing regulations graduates. during decade, foundation program art school students founded. in 1940 pratt began granting graduate degrees.

during world war ii pratt helped in war effort did during world war engineering school training servicemen before deployed. students helped design camouflage soldiers, buildings, , weapons. following war, school saw large influx of veterans enrolling part of gi bill.

in 1940s, school of science , technology changed name school of engineering , in 1946 established own honor society mechanical engineering being popular major @ of pratt. in 1953, francis h. horn became first president of pratt not member of pratt family. enrollment continue climb throughout decade , in 1948 institute reached all-time high in attendance 6,000 students. 1950, pratt had become accredited institution middle states association of colleges , schools. in 1954, architecture department split engineering school become own school.