bridgewater state university

Bridgewater State University (also known as BSU, and formerly known as Bridgewater State College) is one of the most frequently searched colleges in America, according to a recent internet keyword search of United States colleges and universities.

Bridgewater State is a public university, and the largest college in the Massachusetts state university system, aside from the U-Mass colleges. The school was founded in 1840, and currently maintains a student body of more than 11,000 students each semester. About 80 percent of them are undergraduates, and about 20 percent of them are graduate students.

The college became a university in 2010. BSU has a selective enrollment with an acceptance rate of about 66 percent. The student faculty ratio is roughly 22 to 1.

Notable Bridgewater State alumni include many performers, politicians, and professional sports figures, as well as numerous award winning teachers.

Bridgewater State is accredited by the U.S. Department of Education, among other accrediting agencies.

above photo credit: easyuni.com

Above: A Bridgewater State campus photo by Amanda Vouglas

fineartamerica.com

bridgewater State university Q&A

Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Bridgewater State.

1. Where is Bridgewater State University?

The main campus of BSU is located in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, with two additional campuses in Attleboro and Cape Cod.

Here are the official visiting addresses of the two main campuses at Bridgewater State:

Main Campus

131 Summer Street

Bridgewater, Massachusetts

02324

Cape Cod Campus

1175 MA-28

South Yarmouth, Massachusetts

02664

2. What types of degrees are offered at Bridgewater State University?

Bridgewater State awards Bachelors and Masters degrees in many disciplines, plus PhD degrees in Education studies.

3. What courses and programs are offered at Bridgewater State University?

Students enrolled at Bridgewater State can major or minor in a great number of degree and certificate programs.

Here is a list of the Bachelor's degree programs offered at BSU:

Accounting
Anthropology
Art
Athletic Training
Aviation Science
Biology
Chemistry
Communication Disorders
Communication Studies
Computer Science
Criminal Justice
Dance
Early Childhood Education
Economics
Elementary Education
English
Geography
Geology
Health Studies
History
Management
Mathematics
Music
Philosophy
Physical Education
Physics
Political Science
Psychology
Secondary Education
Social Work
Sociology
Spanish
Special Education
Theater Studies

Here is a list of graduate degree programs offered at BSU:

Accountancy
Anthropology
Athletic Training
Biology
Business Administration
Business Foundations
Certified Public Management
Computer Science
Counseling
Creative Arts
Criminal Justice
Digital Technology for Educators
Early Childhood Education
Educational Leadership
Educational Neuroscience Applications
Elementary Education
English
Finance
Health Promotion
Health Sciences
History
Mathematics
Music
Physical Education
Physics
Psychology
Public Administration
Reading
Social Work
Special Education
S.T.E.M.
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
Urban Education
Women's and Gender Studies

Above: Accredited aviation training at Bridgewater State

image: flickr.com

4. Who should attend Bridgewater State University?

Bridgewater State is an appropriate choice for Massachusetts residents of any age who want to save money on their college educations, especially those who live in or near Bridgewater.

The school is especially suitable for people who want to become teachers, as BSU has one of the nation's top teacher education programs.

5. Why attend Bridgewater State University?

Here are some good reasons to enroll at BSU:

BSU features relatively cheap tuition and other costs.
BSU has very many academic and professional programs to choose from.
BSU has its own local transportation service.

6. How much does it cost to enroll at Bridgewater State University?

According to the BSU website, the cost of tuition and fees for a full time, in-state student to enroll at the college is $5,006 per semester.

On a per credit basis, the cost of tuition (and some fees) is:

$38 per credit for Massachusetts residents
$57 per credit for New England residents
$294 per credit for non residents, including international students

Other fees may also apply. These may include student fees, technology fees, capital fees, lab fees, course fees, and so on.

Financial aid may be available in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and work study programs, to help students pay for their educations at BSU.

Shown above: A student residence hall at BSU

image: cmaanet.org

Shown above: The Tinsley Athletic Complex at BSU

image: bridgew.edu

7. How long does it take to earn a degree from Bridgewater State University?

For a full time student, it should take about four years to earn a Bachelor's degree from BSU, and an extra two years to earn a Master's degree.

However, roughly one out of four students enrolled at BSU attend the college part time. For these students, how long the process takes may depend on additional factors.

8. What is the Bridgewater State University campus like?

The BSU campuses are home to a number of academic and administrative buildings.

Notable West campus buildings include Gates House, Summer Street House, Harrington Hall, the Maxwell Library (which has a Starbucks!), and the Art Center, among others.

Among the buildings on the East campus are the Moakley Center of Technology, Martha Burnell Hall, and the Tinsley Center (the school's athletic complex).

The Cape Cod campus offers courses in education.

The campuses of BSU do have on-campus student housing. However, roughly two thirds of BSU students are commuters. Parking is readily available at all campuses.

A commuter train (MBTA) runs through the campus, dividing into two campuses - East and West. BSU is one of the few schools in New England to have its own dedicated transit system, which not only transports students from place to place, but also provides degree and certificate options in the field of transportation. Student can earn commercial driver's licenses at BSU.

The school colors are crimson, white, and black.

The athletic teams at BSU are called the Bears. The Bears play for the NJCAA, Division 3 level. Among the 21 varsity athletic teams for men and women at BSU are

Baseball
Basketball
Cross Country
Diving
Field Hockey
Football
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Track & Field
Volleyball
Wrestling

Club and intramural sports include most of the above, plus Cheerleading, Ice Hockey, Skiing, and Ultimate Frisbee.

There are also more than 150 non athletic campus organizations, such as sororities, fraternities, student governments, a radio station, a newspaper, an African Student Association, a fine arts club, and a dance company, to name only a few.

image credit: bridgew.edu

9. What is the Bridgewater State University neighborhood like?

Conveniences located within walking distance of the main campus are Walgreen's Pharmacy, Burlington Coat Factory, a food market, and quite a few decent restaurants.

Public transportation in this neighborhood is phenomenal, as the school runs its own transportation services. A car is rarely needed for getting around here.