Framingham State University

Founded in 1839 by education reformer Horace Mann, FSU is the nation’s oldest public university founded for the education of teachers and has been providing students with access to an excellent and affordable education for the past 175 years.

Our founding was a visionary act and we have evolved and grown from that vision. Today, Framingham State is a comprehensive arts and sciences institution with more than 6,500 students, including about 2,000 graduate students and 53 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the arts, humanities, sciences, social sciences and professional fields. From physics to philosophy, we offer outstanding academic programs to get you where you want to go.

Framingham State’s primary focus is on student success – we seek to prepare our students to excel personally and professionally in the increasingly complex and competitive global economy. We provide an open and supportive learning environment that is small enough to be personal and collaborative, yet large and diverse enough to broaden students’ understanding of the world.

We aim to provide students with real-world experiences during their time at FSU. Our outstanding internship program capitalizes on our location in the heart of MetroWest, amid fortune 500 companies such as Bose, Staples, Reebok, Genzyme, EMC, IBM, as well as thousands of mid-size companies, high-tech startups and public sector organizations. These internship experiences can often lead to jobs after graduation – in fact you will find that many of our more than 40,000 living alumni live and work in the area in a wide variety of different careers.

Students are also provided with opportunities to travel the world through our study abroad programs or choose from more than 60 student clubs to join, such as Alternative Spring Break, which takes students around the country for week-long service learning trips. We also offer a wide array of cultural events, athletic programs and volunteer opportunities that enhance classroom learning.

FSU is home to outstanding professors who are dedicated to student success and are willing to work one-on-one with students outside of class. This personal approach can have a huge impact on the learning experience, which is why it’s not uncommon for our alumni to keep in touch with professors many years after graduating.

Inclusive Excellence

3rd year in a row FSU awarded the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity award from INSIGHT Into Diversity—Oldest, largest, diversity-focused publication in higher education. Only college in the Commonwealth to be recognized for 3 straight years.
One of 44 institutions chosen nationally to participate in Re-Imagining the First Year (RFY): a project aimed at ensuring success for all students, particularly those who have historically been underserved by higher education: low income, first generation, and students of color.
The Diverse Scholars Program at Framingham State University provides opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities, ages 18-22, to come to campus and engage in FSU courses, internships, and student life.
Affinity groups for students, staff and faculty; student clubs; Center for Inclusive Excellence; gender inclusive housing and facilities; interfaith prayer and reflection center and the MetroWest College Planning Center all combine to strengthen diversity, access, and support at FSU.
30% of Framingham State University undergraduate students identify as students of color.

Research & Innovation

Three-year groundbreaking food study, FS2, with Boston Children’s Hospital funded by a $3 million dollar grant to investigate whether a “calorie is just a calorie”.
MetroWest Economic Research Center provides economic & business research data to regional and town planners.
FSU’s efforts to “Go Green” have resulted in being on the Princeton Review list of Green Colleges every year since 2010.
FSU faculty have received Fulbright awards to pursue research around the world in places such as Africa, Bahrain, China, France, India, Malawi, Netherlands and Palestine.
FSU received $12,231,102.05 between FY2012-2016 in public and private grants to support various initiatives and research projects across campus.
The Christa Corrigan McAuliffe Center offers integrated science learning opportunities that help k-16 students develop the skills and knowledge they will need to meet the challenges of work, life and citizenship for the 21st century.
McAuliffe Center manages the FSU Planetarium; FSU is the only state college/university in Massachusetts with a planetarium.
We host one of 44 Challenger Learning Centers in the country which simulate space flight missions for students in grades 5-11.
McAuliffe Center organizes the FSU wide Science on State Street, a science festival for the whole community.
FSU is one of just six Smithsonian Affiliates in Massachusetts and the only one located at a higher education institution.
Metrowest College Planning Center is a regional joint college access initiative with Mass Bay Community College through the Department of Higher Education’s Vision Project. The Center welcomes and serves all members of the community and supports specific outreach focus for underrepresented, low-income, first generation, minority students and their families