Overview
Several Schools, Almost Ninety Majors, and Hundreds of Courses Enable Undergraduates To Pursue Their Professional Dreams
At Fairmont State University (FSU), a medium-sized coeducational liberal arts university, there are six undergraduate colleges and schools: the School of Business, the School of Fine Arts, the School of Education, the School of Nursing and Allied Health Administration, the College of Science and Technology, and the College of Liberal Arts.
Within these specific disciplines, Fairmont State University offers over ninety different degree programs for undergraduate students. There are literally hundreds of courses from which students can choose. In addition to the traditional majors of psychology, accounting, and English literature, new programs like National Security and Intelligence are rounding out the majors available to meet the contemporary demands of our global economy and geopolitical reach. In recent years at Fairmont State, some of the most favored undergraduate degrees have been business and marketing, pursued by nearly a quarter of the university's population, followed by education at 20 percent and engineering at close to 10 percent. With nearly 7000 undergraduate students attending Fairmont State and close to 600 full-time and part-time faculty members, a low faculty-student ratio of less than 12:1 enables intimate, interactive classrooms and participatory learning.
The Notable, Award-Winning and Active Faculty Help Lead Students as They Also Conduct Leading-Edge Research at FSU
There are several notable faculty members that teach and conduct research at FSU. Dr. Jerry Bacz, at the School of Business, is the Chair and a Professor of Drafting and Design who specializes in aviation. He is also the published author of instructor's manuals for "Engineering Graphics" and other topics. Another is Steven Roof, Ph.D., who is the Chairman and a professor of the Department of Biology. Prominent published journalist and author Kevin Z. Smith also teaches at FSU and has been a leader of the prominent and longstanding Society of Professional Journalists.
Specialty Studies Programs and ROTC Provide Students with a Higher Level of Educational and Service Participation
There are a number of specialty undergraduate programs, as well as honors programs, available to students enrolled at FSU. For those who are advanced, willing, and able, the Honors Program goes beyond just academic excellence and provides a forum for gifted students to engage directly with others who share their special interests and desire to further develop their critical-thinking skills. They also have the opportunity to focus on a independent project in their last year of schooling. Some honors classes include World Literature, Science That Matters, and Empowering Leadership.
Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) classes are offered to all students who consider an Air Force career. These include Air Force Leadership Studies, National Security Affairs and others. Students who obtain a scholarship have to enlist in the services; those who finish the entire program will enter active duty upon graduation.
Short-term certificate programs, such as those for CAD Skills, Events Management, Laboratory Assistant, or Office Technology, are offered to those who may wish to enter a new job classification in a brief period of time.
Financial Aid and Scholarship Opportunities Help Offset Tuition and Related Student Costs
For undergraduates at FSU, typical and recent tuition costs for students over the course of one year is approximately $10,000. On-campus residency, along with regular meals cost an additional $5,000 or so. To help offset these costs, students can contact Enrollment Services to find out about the numerous scholarships and financial aid available to virtually of its students.
The Medium-Sized Fairmont State University Offers Diverse Extracurricular Activities Both On and Off Campus
Set in West Virginia, Fairmont State University offers a great variety of study programs within its six undergraduate colleges and schools for students to pursue, ranging from professional sciences to liberal arts. Certificate programs are also available for those who wish to secure work in a short period of time in their field. For those who wish to enjoy an extracurricular world outside of campus, many sites and attractions are available, as well.
The large, grassy, and idyllic FSU campus covers almost 120 acres about 100 miles northwest of the capitol of Charleston. There are many extracurricular activities to participate in on campus. These range from being a part of more than fifty students clubs and organizations, such as the Anime Society, Phi Epsilon Kappa, or even the Information Systems Student Organization, to catching a robust Masquers live theatrical show or one of several fine arts exhibitions on view at several gallery spaces on campus.
Several active and notable sports teams make up the competitive athletic department at FSU. Fairmont fields teams in baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross-country running, football, golf, softball, swimming, tennis, and volleyball. With a Hall of Fame that includes over 50 past students since the 1930s, it is no wonder that many FSU teams come out on top in the region. There are also more than thirty intramural sports offered throughout the year.
When finished with their studies, students find lots of things to do in Fairmont and the surrounding region. When simply looking for dining fare other than that available on campus, there are plenty of dining establishments in Fairmont and nearby Morgantown. Miniature golf and other diversions are handy enough to provide a break from the books. When more time is available, whitewater rafting on the Monongahela River or visiting the beautiful rolling hills of the Forks of Cheat winery estate are always options.
