Undergraduate Admissions

All candidates seeking admission to an undergraduate degree program must submit an application to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Framingham State University (FSU), as an academic community, is committed to an admissions process that is personalized, convenient, and responsive to your questions and concerns. The University welcomes applications from all candidates regardless of their race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, disability, veteran status, age, national origin, or marital status. The approval of candidates for admission is made on a selective basis. The University is interested in students whose preparatory program, scholastic achievement, aptitudes, interests, character, and established study habits give definite promise of success in a university program.

CAMPUS VISITS

Prospective students are encouraged to visit campus. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions offers campus tours throughout the week and on select Saturdays. Please call 508-626-4934 or to view available dates and to schedule an appointment visit, please visit www.framingham.edu/admissions.

In the case of inclement weather conditions on a day you have a scheduled visit, please call the Framingham State University Weather Emergency number, 508-626-4898. If classes are cancelled, all tours will be cancelled as well.

ADMISSIONS STANDARDS/SECONDARY SCHOOL

ACADEMIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Framingham State University and the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education require the following college-preparatory academic units as a minimum:

• 4 courses in English

• 4 courses in Mathematics (Algebra I, II & Geometry or Trigonometry or comparable coursework) including mathematics during the final year of high school

• 3 courses in Science (3 years of lab science)

• 2 courses in Social Science

• 2 courses in Foreign Language (in a single language)

• 2 courses in College Preparatory Electives

Please refer to the Framingham State University Undergraduate Admissions web site at www.framingham.edu/admissions or the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education website at www.mass.edu for more specific information regarding the minimum academic unit requirements.

Please note that these are minimum standards and meeting them does not guarantee admission to the University. Any offer of admission is conditional upon the student successfully completing all state and local requirements for a high school diploma.

FRESHMAN GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA) REQUIREMENTS

Applicants in a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum must have a recalculated minimum cumulative grade point average of a 3.00 on a 4.00 scale or meet the minimum GPA requirement on the sliding scale listed below. Courses clearly identified on the high school transcript as Honors or Advanced Placement level will be given additional weight.

Students who do not submit standardized test scores will be considered under the test optional admission policy.

Test Optional Admission Policy:

• Students are not required to submit SAT/ACT scores.

Scores on the new writing section of the SAT will not affect the sliding scale for freshman applicants. The sliding scale will continue to be based on the combined evidence-based reading and math sections of the SAT.

Please note that these are minimum standards and meeting them does not guarantee admissions to the University.

FIRST-YEAR FIRST-TIME APPLICATION PROCEDURE

1. Application Form: Applicants are encouraged to utilize the online application available at: www.framingham.edu/apply.
   
   Applying online allows the applicant to verify whether all required materials have been received by the University within two weeks of receipt of the application. Please note: The online application requires payment of the application fee by MasterCard, Visa, or Discover. Students submitting an official fee waiver must utilize the “pay later” option on the web application or the paper application available upon request.

2. Application Fee: Please submit the application fee listed on the current year’s application.

3. Application Filing Dates: All materials should be submitted as early as possible. Preferred postmarked filing dates are as follows:

   APPLICATION DEADLINE(S)
   Fall Early Action (First-Year First-Time applicants only)	November 15th (Early Action)
   Fall Regular Decision (September entrance)	February 15th
   Spring Semester (January entrance)	December 1st

   After these dates, contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to determine if applications are still being accepted. Please note that certain majors may not be available to students completing their files after the February 15th (fall) and December 1 st (spring) preferred filing dates.

   
   The University is able to offer on-campus housing to most qualified applicants who complete their files by the February 15th preferred filing date.

4. SECONDARY SCHOOL RECORD: The school record should include the applicant’s entire academic transcript, including weighted class rank and/or grade point average (GPA). The applicant must request that the guidance office send the official record bearing the school’s official stamp or seal directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Students may submit their applications with a high school transcript including grades through the end of the junior year. The school should forward first and second quarter senior year grades when available. A copy of the student’s schedule for the entire senior year should also be included. (Students with a General Education Equivalency (GED) or High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) must have an official score report forwarded to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and submit an official high school transcript for the period high school was attended.) All students, including home-schooled applicants, must present a high school diploma, GED, or HiSET prior to entrance to the University.

5. REQUIRED EXAMINATIONS: Freshmen applicants are required to submit official score results of the SAT or ACT unless the applicant graduated from high school more than 3 years ago. Students who do not submit standardized test scores will be considered under the test optional admission policy. Official test results must be sent directly to the University from the College Board. The College Board code number for Framingham State University is 3519. Applicants are encouraged to take this test no later than January of their senior year. The ACT code number for Framingham State University is 1904. All applicants who participated in ESL courses during their secondary school education (or whose secondary school instruction was not primarily in English) must submit the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Homeschooled students and graduates of non-accredited schools may be required to submit the results of additional nationally-normed tests such as the SAT Subject Tests. All non-native/non-heritage English speaking applicants who participated in ESL courses during their secondary school education (or whose secondary school instruction was not primarily in English) may be required to submit proof of English proficiency (See International Student Admission section).

6. DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES: Students who are not currently in high school should submit a résumé or brief summary of activities that accounts for all time periods since leaving high school.

7. COLLEGE COURSEWORK: Students who expect to have completed any college course work prior to graduation from high school should apply as freshmen, but must list the appropriate information in the “College Information” section of the application.

8. ADVANCED PLACEMENT or INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE: Students who plan to take or have taken Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams should list the exams under the “Advanced Placement” section of the application and have official scores forwarded to FSU when available.

DEFERRED ADMISSION

A student may apply for admission and, if accepted, reserve a place for the following year by submitting the required deposit and a written request to the Admissions Committee. Deferred admission is granted with the provision that the applicant will not be enrolled at any other college or university during this interim period without prior approval of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at Framingham State University.

UNDERGRADUATE TRANSFER CREDIT POLICIES

Framingham State University (FSU) determines transferability of credits from other colleges and universities based on best practices as outlined by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers (AACRAO), the American Council on Education (ACE), the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), and the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE) Standards on “Integrity in the Award of Academic Credit (4.29 – 4.32)”. Transfer and allocation of credit is determined based on the sending institution’s regional-accreditation, the comparability of the learning experience to FSU, and the applicability of the learning experience to the student’s selected major/minor at FSU.

Stipulations that apply to transfer credit include:

• College-level courses completed at colleges and universities accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE), or similar regional associations, are acceptable for transfer to FSU.

• Coursework completed at non-regionally accredited institutions or non-profit companies may be considered on an individual student basis by the major department’s curriculum committee and department chair, through a thorough examination of course content, syllabi, and learning objectives. In the event of a request occurring outside the academic year that must be adjudicated prior to the start of the following fall semester, the department chair, as a member of the department’s curriculum committee, will make the determination. Students may submit an appeal of the denial of transfer credit through the Office of the University Registrar which will then be reviewed by the appropriate Academic Dean, in consultation with the Department Chair.

• Alternative Sources of Credit:
  o Advanced Placement (AP) exams:
  Advanced Placement (AP) credit towards graduation will be awarded to candidates who obtain scores of three (3) or higher on the College Entrance Examination Board Advanced Placement Tests. Official score results must be forwarded directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) enables students to earn college credit by examination. Credit is awarded for scores of 50 or higher.
  o International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher level exams;
  o Advanced Level (A-Level) exams;
  o Joint Services Transcript (JST) as certified by the American Council on Education (ACE);
  o DSST/DANTES (Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support) exams.
  Official score reports are required in order to be considered for transfer credit.

• International Student Admission
  All official transcripts from secondary schools and colleges must be sent directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. A certified course-by-course evaluation of foreign credentials must be provided by all transfer applicants and any freshman applicants who have taken university-level work outside of the United States at a university. Students may also be eligible for college credit who have completed Arbitur examinations at the secondary school level, International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, General Certificate of Education (GEC) Advance Level (i.e. “A” level courses in some countries), or Advanced Placement (AP). The certified evaluation must be in English and include grade and/or score and recommended credit hour equivalents for each course. If more than one university or college was attended, official transcripts and certified course-by-course evaluations from each institution must be forwarded to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by the appropriate deadline.

• Transferability and allocation of courses to General Education and/or free electives will be determined by the Office of University Registrar, in consultation with academic deans, in accordance with established transfer policies and course articulations. Course to course equivalencies and/or substitutions of transfer credit towards major/minor course requirements must be approved by the department chair in which the major or minor is housed.

• Transfer credit is awarded for college-level courses only. Developmental coursework does not transfer but may be used for student placement purposes.

• Transfer credit is given only for courses in which the student received a grade of C- (1.70/4.00 scale) or higher. Note: Exceptions for Spring 2020 coursework will be made where coursework with a passing grade lower than a C- (1.70/4.00) will be accepted in transfer.

• A Pass/Fail grade is not transferable unless otherwise indicated on the transcript key that the value of Pass is equal to a C- (1.70) or higher. Note: Exceptions will be made for Spring 2020 coursework based on the Transcript Legend/Key from the previous institution.

• Transfer credits and grades will not affect the Institutional GPA, but will be used in determining “attempted” credits when determining academic standing.

• Coursework completed at the University prior to matriculation is treated as transfer credit. Transfer credits are not used in the calculation of the grade point average.

• Students must complete a minimum of 32 course-credits, including courses for general education, major and major-related requirements, as well as open/free electives in order to earn their Framingham State University degree.

• Once a student is accepted to the University as a degree candidate, all official transcripts are sent to the Office of the University Registrar to be reviewed by the transfer credit evaluator. All approved courses accepted in transfer will be awarded Framingham State University course-credit in an amount equivalent to FSU’s course-credit. For example, transfer courses that bear 3 credits from the sending institution are the equivalent of 0.75 course-credits. Transfer courses that bear 4 credits from the sending institution are the equivalent of 1 course-credits. Transfer courses that bear 2 credits from the sending institution are the equivalent of 0.50 course-credits. Transfer courses that bear 1 credit from the sending institution are the equivalent of 0.25 course-credits.

• Annually, the Office of the University Registrar will generate a report displaying the transfer of credit, including General Education, and/or equivalencies for review by the UCC and other academic leadership.

TRANSFER GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA) REQUIREMENTS

The following minimum standards have been established for transfer students:

1. 12-23 transferable college credits and a 2.50 college GPA;
   OR

2. Up to 23 transferable college credits, a 2.00 college GPA, and a high school transcript that meets the admission standards for freshman applicants;
   OR

3. 24 or more transferable college credits and a 2.00 college GPA.

Please note that these are minimum standards and meeting them does not guarantee admission to the University. The GPA/credit requirement is based upon the most recently attended higher education institution.

TRANSFER APPLICATION PROCEDURE

1. Application Form: Applicants are encouraged to utilize the online application available at: www.framingham.edu/apply

2. Application Fee: Please submit the application fee listed on the current year’s application.

3. Application Filing Dates: All materials should be submitted as early as possible. Preferred postmarked filing dates are as follows:

   APPLICATION DEADLINE(S)
   Fall Regular Decision (September entrance)	March 15th
   Spring Semester (January entrance)	December 1st

After these dates, contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to determine if applications are still being accepted. Please note that certain majors may not be available to students completing their files after the March 15th (fall) and December 1st (spring) preferred filing dates.

The University is able to offer on-campus housing to most qualified applicants who complete their files by the March 15th preferred filing date. Applicants for the January semester and those completing their fall applications after the March 15th preferred filing date are able to place themselves on the residence hall wait list if they have been offered admission and have submitted the required admissions deposit.

1. Secondary School Record: Applicants with a General Education Equivalency (GED) or High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) must have an official score report forwarded to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and submit an official high school transcript for the period high school was attended. All students, including home-schooled applicants, must present a high school diploma, GED, or HiSET prior to entrance to the University.

2. Required Examinations: SAT or ACT is required of transfer applicants, unless the applicant has completed 24 or more credit hours of college-level courses at the time of the application or has graduated from high school more than 3 years ago. Students who do not submit standardized test scores will be considered under the test optional admission policy. Official score results must be forwarded directly to the University from the College Board. The College Board code number for Framingham State University is 3519. The ACT code number for Framingham State University is 1904. All non-native/non-heritage English speaking applicants who participated in ESL courses during their secondary school education (or whose secondary school instruction was not primarily in English) may be required to submit proof of English proficiency
   (See International Student Admission section).

3. College Transcripts: Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities ever attended. If a student is enrolled elsewhere at the time of acceptance, a final official transcript for that semester must be submitted prior to the commencement of studies at Framingham State University. All applicants must disclose all colleges or universities ever attended regardless of whether courses were finished or credit was received. Failure to disclose this information may result in denial of admission or retroactive administrative withdrawal from the University without refund or course credits.
   
   Please note: Only transcripts forwarded directly from the college or university the applicant attended to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at Framingham State University are considered official transcripts. No decisions will be made by the Admissions Committee without official transcripts.
   

4. Courses In-Progress: List all courses in progress or that you plan to complete prior to enrollment at Framingham State University (please indicate the exact course titles, course numbers, and credit hours for each course).

5. Description of Activities: Applicants who have not been attending college continuously since graduation from high school should submit a résumé or brief summary of activities that accounts for all time periods since leaving high school.

6. CLEP/AP/IB/DSST: Applicants presenting College Board CLEP (College Level Examination Program) scores, AP (Advanced Placement) scores, IB (International Baccalaureate), or DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) scores for college credit must have official results forwarded directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for evaluation. Please list the exams taken on the application, under the “Advanced Placement or CLEP Examinations” section of the application.

7. Valor Act Academic Credit Evaluation Policy and Military Transcripts: In accordance with the Massachusetts VALOR Act of 2012, admission applicants may submit their military transcript (as appraised by the American Council on Education (ACE)) for consideration of academic credit at the time of acceptance to determine whether the content is transferable into Framingham State University. Framingham State University reviews and evaluates the military transcript for academic credit, based on the recommendations from ACE, for transferability of credit in accordance with our university-wide policy.

VALOR ACT AND ACADEMIC CREDIT EVALUATION POLICY

As per the Valor Act of 2012 (Massachusetts), undergraduate admissions applicants may submit their military transcript via the American Council on Education (ACE) for consideration of academic credit in accordance with University's policy with transfer credit. Framingham State will also review for consideration of academic credit the DANTES DSST exams. This information needs to be provided during the application process to the University. Questions regarding the possible transferability of military credits should be directed to the Office of the University Registrar by email (registrarsoffice@framingham.edu) or by phone (508-626-4545).

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ADMISSION

Framingham State University welcomes applications for full-time undergraduate study from international students. An International Student Information Packet may be requested from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions or may be downloaded from the Framingham State University website, www.framingham.edu/admissions. The following steps must be completed before an admissions decision can be made:

1. APPLICATION FORM & FILING DEADLINES: International students applying for the fall semester (September entrance) are required to complete the entire admissions application process by February 15th. Applications from international students studying and/or residing abroad are considered only for entrance in the fall semester. However, international students who have been enrolled in a college or university for at least two full semesters in the United States may apply for the spring semester (January entrance) but must complete the entire admissions application process by December 1st .

2. TRANSCRIPTS: All official transcripts from secondary schools and colleges must be sent directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. A certified course-by-course evaluation of foreign credentials must be provided by all transfer applicants and any freshman applicants who have taken university-level work outside of the United States at a university. Students may also be eligible for college credit who have completed Arbitur examinations at the secondary school level, International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, General Certificate of Education (GEC) Advance Level (i.e. “A” level courses in some countries), or Advanced Placement (AP). The certified evaluation must be in English and include grade and/or score and recommended credit hour equivalents for each course. If more than one university or college was attended, official transcripts and certified course-by-course evaluations from each institution must be forwarded to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by the appropriate deadline.

   If you have attended more than one university or college, official transcripts and certified course-by-course evaluations from each institution must be forwarded to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by the appropriate deadline.

3. STANDARDIZED TESTS:
   A. SAT or ACT. Submit official test results from the College Board or ACT. The College Board code number for Framingham State University is 3519. The ACT code number for Framingham State University is 1904. Transfer applicants who have successfully completed at least six (6) semester hours of both college-level English composition and college-level mathematics and have a total of at least 24 credit hours from an American college or university may be exempted from the SAT requirement as well as students who graduated from high school more than 3 years ago. Students who do not submit standardized test scores will be considered under the test optional admission policy.
   
   B. Proof of English Proficiency
   Students whose native or heritage language is not English must provide sufficient proof of English proficiency by taking and providing official test scores from one of the following exams and achieving the approved minimum score, in parentheses, within the 6 months prior to application submission:

   • TOEFL (79 IBT / 550 PBT)

   • Pearson-PTE Academic (50)

   • Duolingo (100)

   • IELTS (6)

   • Michigan-MET (55)

   • STEP-Eiken (Grade Pre-1)

   • ITEP (3.7)

   • Cambridge-English / CEFR (B2)

     English proficiency testing requirements may be waived, if the applicant has successfully completed at least two (2) full academic years in a college/university where the primary instruction is in English or has successfully completed advanced coursework in the English Language Program (ELP) at Framingham State University or at a comparable, approved partner ESL program at the discretion of the FSU Director of International Recruitment and Director of English Language Programs and received an instructor’s or administrator’s letter of recommendation of readiness of English proficiency at the level of approved minimum concordant test scores (see above).

4. CERTIFICATION OF FINANCES: Since the University is not able to provide any financial aid to international students, a Certification of Finances form and supporting documentation must be submitted. This form will be forwarded upon receipt of the application or may be downloaded from the International Applicants section of the FSU website.

   NOTE: All students who are not permanent residents or citizens of the United States are required to pay out-of-state tuition. Framingham State University is authorized under Federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students. Individuals approved for “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals” (DACA) may be eligible for in-state tuition.

DEFERRED ADMISSION

A student may apply for admission and, if accepted, reserve a place for the following year by submitting the required deposit and a written request to the Admissions Committee. Deferred admission is granted with the provision that the applicant will not be enrolled at any other college or university during this interim period without prior approval of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at Framingham State University.

NON–TRADITIONAL APPLICANTS

Applicants who have not attended college and who apply for admission more than three (3) years after high school graduation will be evaluated on the basis of their secondary school record, standardized test scores, and a description of activities since leaving high school.

STUDIO ART PROGRAM PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS

All prospective students for the Studio Art major regardless of concentration are required to submit a portfolio, which is reviewed by the department faculty. Applicants are required to submit their portfolio digitally through SlideRoom [https://framingham.slideroom.com].

The Portfolio should contain 10-15 examples of the strongest and most recent artwork made by the applicant.

The portfolio should include artworks

• Created from direct observation (minimum one self-portrait and one still-life) using a variety of media, techniques, subject matter, and scale.

• Work samples that demonstrate dedication, sustained interest, and artistic development over time.

• Sketchbooks, graphic design work, and experimental pieces are also acceptable.

NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL STUDENT PROGRAM

This program enables residents of Connecticut (CT), Maine (ME), New Hampshire (NH), Rhode Island (RI), and Vermont (VT) to be given a tuition break for designated academic programs at Framingham State University. Subject to legislative funding, eligible students in this program pay a tuition rate 50% above the Massachusetts In-State tuition. The main eligibility requirement is that the program of study not be offered in a state college or university of the student’s state of residence.

For additional information, contact the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) at 45 Temple Place, Boston, MA 02111, tuitionbreak@nebhe.org or call 617-357-9620.

MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION (DHE) PROGRAMS

MassTransfer

Students who enroll in an approved transfer program Fall 2009 or later at Massachusetts state community colleges and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 may apply to Framingham State University and earn automatic admission to the pre-approved program of study between the Massachusetts State community college and FSU. Additionally, those students who earned a minimum GPA of a 2.00 at time of application but have completed the 34 credit hour MassTransfer General Education Foundation courses may not be eligible for admission into the preferred program of study at FSU but will receive credit for the MassTransfer Block. Those whose cumulative grade point average at the time of completing their associate’s degree is a 3.00 or higher in an approved program will be eligible for a 100% tuition reduction in the Day Division. For more information, please refer to http://www.mass.edu/masstransfer.

Note: Not all majors are available through this program. Students who have previously been matriculated at Framingham State University are not eligible.

STEM MassTransfer General Education Foundation

The number of General Education (Gen Ed) Foundation courses will be reduced from 34 credits to 28 credits for students in A2B STEM pathways. The reduction will take place in two categories: behavioral and social sciences and humanities and fine arts. Community college students enrolled in A2B STEM pathways will be required to complete at least six (6) credits in each of these categories. The receiving institutions can require up to an additional four courses in order to satisfy their general education requirements.

Massachusetts State College and Community College Elementary and Early Childhood Education Compacts

A student shall be eligible for admission to Framingham State University under the Early Childhood Education Compact by meeting all of the following conditions:

• Completion of an associate degree at a Massachusetts community college with a minimum of 60 semester hours exclusive of developmental coursework;

• A minimum cumulative grade point average of not less than 2.75 (in a 4.00 system);

• Completion of the designated core curriculum comprised of 45 to 60 semester hours;

• A passing score on the Communication and Literacy Skills Test (CLST) of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL). (Verification of a passing score must be received by Framingham State University prior to enrollment in the Early Childhood Major.)

A student shall be eligible for admission to Framingham State University under the Elementary Education Compact by meeting all of the following conditions:

• Completion of an associate degree at a Massachusetts community college with a minimum of 60 semester hours exclusive of developmental coursework;

• A minimum cumulative grade point average of not less than 2.75 (in a 4.0 system);

• Completion of the designated core curriculum comprised of 44 to 59 semester hours;

• A passing score on the Communication and Literacy Skills Test (CLST) of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL). (Verification of a passing score must be received by Framingham State University prior to enrollment in the Elementary Education Major.)

Please visit the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education website, www.mass.edu, for additional information about the Elementary Education Compact.

Nursing Education Transfer Compact (NETC)

For Registered Nurses who graduated from public Associate Degree in Nursing Programs in Massachusetts, the NETC includes:

Acceptance in transfer all courses earned as part of a Board of Registration in Nursing (BORN) approved public Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program, without time restriction*, as a body of knowledge and practical experience that is a prerequisite to National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) licensure. Transfer credit evaluations are completed by the Office of the University Registrar. Registered Nurses may receive credit for nursing and non-nursing college-level courses successfully completed at other regionally-accredited higher education institutions. As per the Nursing Education Transfer Compact (NETC), nursing students who attended a Massachusetts state community college and have completed the MassTransfer Block (General Education), as indicated as such on the community college transcript, may be required to complete no more than two additional courses at FSU to satisfy FSU’s Domain General Education model. A nursing student who has previously completed a bachelor’s degree from a regional-accredited institution in the United States will have FSU’s Domain General Education model as completed. Students who do not meet the General Education requirements through the Mass Transfer Block (General Education) must meet the University’s Domain General Education Requirements. See the Framingham State University Undergraduate Catalog for details. Exceptions to this policy may be applied by FSU for specific courses, i.e. sciences.

Note: Applicants to the upper division Nursing program (Registered Nurses (RNs) only) should refer to the Nursing section of the catalog for additional information on requirements.

ADMISSION TO STUDY FOR A SECOND BACCALAUREATE DEGREE

Individuals, who have previously earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited institution, including Framingham State University, may be admitted to study for a second baccalaureate degree. However, the intended bachelor’s degree as well as the major program of study must be different from the one already awarded.

If the applicant already holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), they cannot apply to a second B.A. degree. If the applicant already holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.), they cannot apply to a second B.S. degree. There may be examples where a student has completed a B.A. and would not be eligible to complete a B.S. due to the major program of study the individual has already completed.

Exceptions to the policy:

• Individuals applying to the Bachelor of Science degree, major program in Nursing, are eligible for a second degree regardless of the previously completed baccalaureate degree.

• Individuals applying to the Bachelor of Arts degree, major program in American Sign Language with a concentration in English Interpreting, are eligible for a second degree, even if the student already holds a Bachelor of Arts degree.

The additional following requirements must be met:

1. The student must apply through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and be interviewed by the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Admissions (or designee).

2. The student is limited to apply only to a major program other than one in which the first degree was received.

3. The student’s application to a major program is considered on a space available basis only.

4. The student shall have at least a 2.00 overall final grade point average on their previous degree.

5. The FSU Department Chair of the new major, in conjunction with the University Registrar, will determine which, if any, of those courses taken to meet the requirements of the first degree may be used in meeting the major requirements of the second degree. This generally excludes the program capstone requirement(s).

6. Notwithstanding the above, FSU Course Residency requirements include a minimum of eight (8) course-credits which must be completed in the new major; and a minimum of two (2) semesters of study must be completed at Framingham State University.

7. The student shall be allowed to transfer only those courses for which a grade of C- (1.70 on a 4.00 scale) or better was received.

8. The student will be considered exempt from completing the FSU General Education model. The student must meet all other graduation requirements including the residency requirements for degree/major/minor, the thirty-two (32) course-credit minimum, all major requirements, minor requirements (if any), grade point average requirement for both degree and major, etc.

9. For students who have earned their first degree at Framingham State University, the same transcript is to be used and the cumulative grade point average is to be continued.

10. Applicants without a four-year equivalent United States baccalaureate degree are subject to the rules for transfer students.