Framingham State University (FSU) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Framingham State University was first opened in 1839 as The Normal School in Lexington — a place to train high school graduates to become teachers — to provide essential training for Massachusetts teachers. During the 1900s, several changes were made to the school curriculum with the addition of new programs. After nine name changes since its establishment, the school finally became the Framingham State University in 2010. Framingham is the largest town in Massachusetts and only about 20 miles away from Boston. The university has a total area of 73 acres, providing students a lush green New England campus that is conducive to their personal and professional growth.

The university offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in 24 programs. As of 2010, there were approximately 6000 students enrolled on campus. Students can choose degree programs in liberal arts, sciences, computers, economics and business administration, languages, and nursing.

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Information Summary

Ranks 49th in Massachusetts and 1105th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	79.0
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$27,510
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	23 / 1130
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	18 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	70% / 50%
Enrollment Total (all students)	5,565

Academics

Undergraduate

All undergraduates are required to complete the General Education Requirements to enhance and/or develop their communication and problem solving skills while creating a breadth of knowledge that goes beyond their major. These can be taken in conjunction with classes for their major and minor. The school offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in 27 different programs covering the liberal arts, health, science, business, and mathematics. There are also pre-professional programs in engineering, law, and health.

Graduate

The graduate programs here are all designed around the working professional’s lifestyle, which is very flexible. Students can earn their degree in the class, online, or in a combination of the two. Currently, there are 37 programs available with master’s in the arts, business administration, education, food and nutrition, and nursing offered.

Continuing Education

Working students can also enroll in continuing education programs, most of which are part time evening programs leading to Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, Master of Education, and MBA degrees. Certificate programs are also available in computer networking, administration and other areas. People who need to learn a new skill or brush up on an old one generally sign up for this program.

Online

In 1998, online degree programs were introduced, designed for working adults who wish to enhance their professional skills. Online programs include MBA, Master of Education and Bachelor of Arts programs.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

Students are encouraged to schedule a visit before applying as it will help them in exploring the college facilities and see the teaching methodology. You can apply for the spring or fall sessions by completing the online application form. Here are the admission requirements:

Freshmen Applicants

Official high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, and results of advanced placement exams (if taken) are required. Students who are not in high school but are applying for their first year of college must submit a resume detailing their professional experience or activities they have been involved in after leaving school. The admissions here are selective and and the university is looking for students who excel academically and have the interests and drive to succeed in a university setting. The school also recommends that high school students take college prep courses in English, Math, Science, Social Science, and a Foreign Language. Also, a minimum of a 3.0 GPA is recommended.

Transfer Students

Transfer students must provide transcripts from all educational institutes attended, along with SAT or ACT scores. Transfer credit is given to students with grades higher than C-.

Not all courses may be transferable so students must contact the admissions office to get details about this.

International Students

Apart from providing academic transcripts and SAT scores, international undergraduate applicants must also provide TOEFL scores and proof of parental financial support. Copies of passport and visa may also be required.

Graduate Admissions

Graduate admission requirements vary depending on the program you are applying to. Most programs require GRE scores and a minimum GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale. Personal statement must be submitted with the application.

For the MBA program, GRE or GMAT scores can be submitted along with two essays, a personal statement and letters of recommendation.

International graduate applicants must also provide TOEFL scores.

Financial Aid

To apply for federal financial aid, students must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Federal aid is available in the form of Federal Stafford Loans, Federal Perkins Loans, Pell Grants, SMART Grants, and work study programs.

Institutional scholarships are very competitive and are awarded to academically outstanding students with a GPA higher than 3.5. These include the Marjorie Brown Scholarship, Barbara Thayer Scholarship, and Christa Corrigan scholarships, among many others. Be sure to check with the school for a complete list of scholarships since the list is quite extensive and there may be one suited for you.

Students are also encouraged to apply for state financial aid programs and scholarships offered by other local bodies such as Rotary clubs.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 2769th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Massachusetts.

Students

There is a rich and vibrant residence life on campus – students get the opportunity to participate in multiple social events and community projects year round. Residence facilities on campus include halls which are equipped with basic furniture and electrical amenities. All rooms have a computer with 24/7 internet connection. More than 1500 students stay in the six residence halls that dot the campus. These include the O’Connor Hall, which is the oldest residential hall on campus, the all female Pierce Hall, the coeducational Linsley Hall, the Larned Hall, Horace Mann Hall, and Corinne Hall Towers.

Each room is equipped with a TV where students can watch 10-15 new releases every month through the Black and Gold movie channel. Movie schedules are updated on the university website every day.

There are more than fifty student clubs and organizations. Greek societies include Alpha Lambda Delta, Kappa Delta Pi, Phi Delta Theta Upsilon, and Psi Chi.

Other societies comprise of academic, sports, and religious clubs like the Geographical Association, Journal of Critical Thinking, Christian Fellowship, and others.

If you love to read, the Henry Whittemore Library has more than 200,000 volumes to search from! With comfortable study spaces and an exhaustive list of books, journals, and papers, students can find everything they need at the library. The online database allows you to search for texts through the web and reserve it Whittemore.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

The FSU Rams play in the official school colors of black and gold. They are members of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and play at the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference.

Men’s sports include:

Baseball

Cross country

Football

Basketball

Ice Hockey

Soccer

Women also have the option of playing field hockey, lacrosse, softball, and volleyball.

The Athletic and Recreational Center is a $12 million state of the art facility that has two basketball courts, a volleyball court, and offices of the athletic department. Training rooms and locker rooms are available for men and women varsity teams. Students also have access to a gym with complete workout equipment such as treadmill, cardiovascular training equipment and a weight training room.

Alumni

Notable alumni include:

Marilyn Manzella, genealogist

Janet Wierzbicki, founder COPE program

Additional School Information

The University is particularly noted for the Henry Whittemore Library – a state of the art facility that provides access to more than 70,000 electronic journals.

Accreditation

Framingham State is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The nursing program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.

Framingham State University