Undergraduate & Graduate University Catalog 2011–2012
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
CATALOG 2011–2012 160 Pearl Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420-2697 n www.fitchburgstate.edu Catalog 2011-2012 Undergraduate & Graduate University Catalog 2011–2012 From the president That dedication and focus on excellence continues to this day. Things have surely changed—all of our students have laptops, for example, and the campus is wireless. Our academic equipment and facilities have been dramatically expanded and upgraded. Specialized laboratories, smart classrooms and multi- media centers abound. On a more fundamental level, our faculty has never been stronger, our classes remain small, and our close-knit community still makes it easy to learn and grow. Students graduate with the insight and skills to be competitive in whatever professional environment they choose. Both my wife, Jeanne, and I earned degrees here, and I count myself among the thousands whose lives have been changed by this most extraordinary college community. To have been afforded the additional opportunity to join the distinguished list of leaders is an honor I could never have imagined, and for which I am eternally grateful. Welcome to Fitchburg State University! For more The Fitchburg State opportunity I have twice embraced than a century, this institution has provided high is not so different from that which we offer all of our quality educational opportunities to the people of the students. The tools for success are in place: ample Commonwealth. Our legacy began in the 19th century financial aid, a caring community, dedicated faculty, with a former farmhand, Joseph Edgerly, who strug- outstanding facilities, extracurricular activities, and, gled to get an education and eventually graduated from most importantly, a focus on career-oriented learning Dartmouth. As superintendent of schools in Fitchburg, firmly grounded in the liberal arts. he was a tireless advocate for education. He led the There is little that cannot be accomplished, as proven fight for a post-secondary school in Fitchburg, and his by our placement record and the 30,000 alumni whose vision became reality in 1894. contributions extend throughout the state, the nation His heroic effort was mirrored in the following decades and the world. The possibilities clearly exist; one need by people such as Maude Goodfellow, who graduated only take advantage of them. with the first class, then stayed on to teach for 40 All of us on campus have pledged to devote ourselves years, and countless others, who established programs, to providing students with the support they need, an constructed buildings, and transformed this college effort I consider to be among the highest of callings. into what it is today: a highly respected comprehensive Best wishes for a rich and rewarding experience. public institution with a long history of growth and a clear record of accomplishment. Robert V. Antonucci President 2 UNIVERSITY CATALOG Table of Contents Financial Aid .........................................................................29 Application Process ........................................................ 29 Financial Aid for Undergraduate Students ..................... 29 Financial Aid for Undergraduate and Graduate Students ............................................... 30 Scholarships for Undergraduate and Graduate Students ...................................................... 33 Undergraduate Academic Policies and Procedures ........ 39 Undergraduate Day Division .......................................... 45 Undergraduate Evening Division ................................... 45 Student Support Services ...................................................47 Student Life: Beyond the Classroom ..................................55 New Student Orientation and Registration ..................... 55 Housing and Residential Services .................................. 55 Student Development, Organizations, and the Crocker Center for Community Service .................... 56 Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreational Services ....... 57 Student Code of Conduct and Discipline System ..........58 Campus and Facilities ..........................................................59 Library ................................................................................. 60 Curriculum ...........................................................................65 About the University .............................................................4 Incoming Students: The Readiness Program .................. 65 History of the University .................................................. 4 Common Graduation Requirements ............................... 66 Mission .............................................................................. 5 Liberal Arts and Sciences Requirements ........................ 66 Academic Calendar Undergraduate Day School .......................................... 6 Major Course of Study ................................................... 67 Graduate and Continuing Education .......................... 7 Degrees Offered .............................................................. 68 Our Commitment to You .......................................................9 Program Alternatives ...................................................... 68 Institutional Accreditations, Approvals, Departmental Policies ..................................................... 69 Memberships, Affiliations ........................................... 9 Undergraduate Day Programs ............................................73 Universitywide Policies .................................................. 10 Undergraduate Evening Programs ....................................125 Admissions ........................................................................... 15 Undergraduate Course Descriptions .................................137 Undergraduate Admissions ............................................. 15 Graduate Admissions .................................................... 212 Graduate Division ............................................................... 211 Graduate Faculty ........................................................... 211 Tuition and Fees ..................................................................25 Admissions .................................................................... 212 Undergraduate Day Tuition and Fees ............................. 25 Academic Policies and Procedures ............................... 214 Undergraduate Evening and Graduate Tuition and Fees ........................................................ 27 Graduate Programs ........................................................... 219 Graduate Course Descriptions .........................................267 Faculty, Trustees, Administrators ......................................317 Academic Glossary ............................................................329 Index ..................................................................................330 3 About the University History of the University Established in 1894 by an act of the Massachusetts In 1960, the college changed its name and expanded its Legislature, the State Normal School in Fitchburg opened mission. The State College at Fitchburg diversified its in temporary quarters in the old high school building on programs to include degrees in disciplines other than educa- Academy Street. Principal John G. Thompson, aided by tion. In 1965, its name was officially changed to Fitchburg a teaching staff of three, implemented a two-year teacher State College. In July, 2010 the governor signed legislation training program for women that had 46 participants. In renaming us Fitchburg State University. Today we offer December 1896, the school expanded into a new building, more than 68 undergraduate degrees in 14 academic depart- known as Thompson Hall, and set up the State School of ments, offering 35 majors, 36 master’s degree programs, two Observation and Practice in city buildings on Day Street and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study programs, four post Highland Avenue. Baccalaureate certificate programs, and nine graduate certifi- In the next decade the school was a trendsetter for programs cate programs. Enrollment is up to 3,750 full-time and 2,990 in education. The Edgerly School opened, originally as an part-time students which include 1,080 matriculated graduate eighth-grade model and practice school. In 1910, it became students. The campus has expanded from a single structure one of the first junior high schools in the United States. The on High Street to 45 buildings on 278 acres of which 113 following year the school initiated the first practical arts acres make up the main campus, becoming the educational teacher training course in the country for men. center for the Montachusett region. The University proudly offers traditional and non-traditional programs to serve the In 1930, the State Normal School was authorized to offer educational needs of its students as undergraduate, graduate, a bachelor’s degree in practical arts, and in 1932, when it and continuing education students. became the State Teachers College at Fitchburg, four-year degrees were offered in all areas of education. Under the auspices of the State Division of University Extension, summer courses were first offered in 1915, marking the beginning of the university’s commitment to Continuing Education programs. In 1935, the college was also authorized to establish graduate programs and in 1954 the first evening courses were offered. 4 UNIVERSITY CATALOG Mission of the State Universities