Salem State University (SSU) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Salem State College was renamed Salem State University in July 2010. Founded in 1854 as Salem Normal School, the institute is situated in Boston, Massachusetts. The university is comprised of five campuses: North Campus, Central Campus, South Campus, Richard O’Keefe Center, and Cat Cove. The total campus area is 115 acres and it houses more than 30 buildings. Salem State is one of the largest state universities in Massachusetts. It is an important partner in the cultural, economic, and intellectual vitality of the greater north-of-Boston region.

Salem State enrolls over 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students from 27 states and 57 foreign countries. From 1968 to 2010 the institution was named Salem State College. As of 2010, Salem State enrolled 5,894 undergraduate and 343 graduate, full-time students.

Information Summary

Ranks 46th in Massachusetts and 1014th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	80.2
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$27,384
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	26 / 1140
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	18 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	74% / 25%
Enrollment Total (all students)	8,338

Academics

Salem State is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. (NEASC). The institute also holds other discipline-based accreditations such as Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, American Geological Institute, American Chemical Society, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education, Council on Social Work Education, National Association of Schools of Art and Design, National Association of Schools of Music, and National Association of Schools of Theatre.

Salem State offers bachelor’s degrees in diverse areas of study such as arts and science, health and human services, and business. It grants master’s degrees in a wide range of disciplines such as arts, science, teaching, business, and nursing. The institute also provides certificate programs including accounting, child studies, correctional administration, interactive multimedia design certificate program, public relations, graphic design, and sustainable tourism development.

The University also offers Continuing Education courses for credit or non-credit programs. There are 30 degree and certificate programs to choose from. Some of the non-credit certificate programs include Home Inspection Training; Older Adult Fitness Specialist Certification; EKG Technician Certification Program; Phlebotomy Technician Program; Clinical Medical Assistant; Paralegal Certificate Program; Information Technology Specialist; and Medical Assistant Administrative Program.

Schools and Colleges

Salem State offers undergraduate, graduate and continuing education programs through the following academic schools and colleges: College of Arts and Sciences; Bertolon School of Business; College of Health and Human Services; and School of Graduate Studies.

Salem State Online

Salem State offers online education programs for students who are unable to attend a traditional college due to personal or professional commitments. Such students can enroll in the online continuing education programs or online credit/non-credit courses offered by the university. Available online courses include Adaptive and Assistive Technology, Theories of Thinking and Learning, Theories and Principles in Teaching ESL, Studies in Electronic Rhetoric, Reference Materials and Research, Introduction to Communications, Principles of Macroeconomics, Fire Science Administration, and Introduction to Sociology.

Most Popular Fields of Study

Gallery

Admissions

Each year, Salem State enrolls more than 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students from over 25 states and over 55 foreign countries. Freshman students seeking admission to the university must send the completed application form along with SAT / ACT scores and essential official transcripts. There are also some specific discipline-based tests for admission to certain programs. Prospective transfer students must send the completed application form along with official transcripts from all previously attended institutes.

International students are encouraged to apply for admission. Students whose native language is not English must submit their Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score.

Financial Aid

Salem State offers financial assistance to needy students who are unable to meet their educational expenses. Financial aid is offered through diverse mediums such as grants, scholarships, federal loans, work study, alternative loans and financing. All students seeking financial aid must complete the Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Grants and scholarships are considered gift aid as they do not have to be repaid. Loans are a type of financial assistance that must be returned with interest.

Federal grants and scholarships offered at Salem State are Federal Pell Grant, Federal Teach Grant, MASSGrant, Massachusetts Part Time Grant, Public Service Scholarship, Department of Social Services (DSS) Adopted Children’s Tuition Waiver, Department of Social Services Foster Care Children’s Tuition Waiver, Foster Care Grant, and Stanley Z. Koplik – Certificate of Mastery Tuition Waiver.

Some of the loans offered at Salem State include Stafford Loans, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Nursing Loan, MEFA Loans, and Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS). The Federal College Work-Study program (FCWS) provides part-time jobs for the undergraduate and graduate students. It enables students to take up jobs on/ off campus, and earn money to help pay educational expenses. It also helps students gain work experience in their field of interest.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 1809th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Massachusetts.

Students

Salem State boasts an active and vibrant student life. There is a student government body that acts as the voice of the students. It also organizes diverse events and activities on the campus. Students are encouraged to participate in campus events, which help balance their academic, civic, social, and personal growth and development. The campus also hosts several recreational and intramural programs based on the interests of the students.

Salem State University is home to a variety of clubs and organizations. The students can either join a club or create a new one. Some of the popular campus organizations include International Student Association, Multicultural Student Association, The Alliance, Campus Crusade for Christ, Campus Hope, Accounting Association, Chemistry Society, Public Relations Student Society of America, S.T.A.R.T. (Student Action Resource Team), Sport & Movement Science Club, and Student Nurses Association.

Media and Publications

The Log is the official student-run campus newspaper. It serves as the independent voice of students.

WMWM is the student operated radio station. It provides progressive and alternative radio programming.

Campus Facilities

The Salem State University library was built in 1969 and opened in 1971. The library houses more than 300,000 volumes, 39,000 microform units, 9,000 maps and subscribes to 692 periodicals. They have memberships with other local libraries and provide access to more than 3.1 million holdings in the north-of-Boston area.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

Salem State’s athletic department sponsors men’s and women’s teams in diverse sports such as baseball, basketball, cross-country, field hockey, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, softball, soccer, tennis, and volleyball. The athletic teams are nicknamed the Vikings. The colors are Blue and Orange. The Vikings participate in the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference in NCAA Division III.

Alumni

Robert A. Rufo, Noted Military Officer, Writer, and Artist
Mark Parisi, Noted Cartoonist
Thatcher Kezer, Mayor of Amesbury
Brian Lees, Member of the Massachusetts State Senate
Robert Preston, Member of the New Hampshire State Senate

Bibliography

Salem State University. 2011.

Snider, Mark D. How to Get Money for College. Peterson’s, 2010. Print.

Salem State University