Degrees Offered at Ferris State University
Ferris State University appears in our ranking of the Top 50 Most Affordable MPH Online Programs.
Ferris State University is a public, nonprofit research university in Big Rapids, Mich. With a large main campus spanning 880 acres in rural Michigan and a major online campus, FSU offers students many opportunities to earn their degrees conveniently and efficiently. Whether students attend classes online or in person, they will have access to the same learning resources, including library technology, student advising and personal attention from renowned faculty members. The degree programs and certificates at FSU are offered from the following colleges:
- Arts and Sciences
- Business
- Education and Human Services
- Engineering Technology
- Health Professions
- Kendall College of Art and Design
- Michigan College of Optometry
- Pharmacy
FSU offers a full range of bachelor’s programs in every academic department. Some of the most popular undergraduate programs at Ferris are the Nursing: RN Program and the Nursing: RN to BSN Completion Program. The BSN completion program is available to residential students as well as online students. The online program does not have any residency requirements, so it can be completed on the student’s schedule without ever traveling to the campus. Students of the BSN completion program must have a Registered Nursing license as well as a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 in a basic nursing program.
Graduate students at Ferris can choose from a large selection of master’s, doctoral and professional programs, depending on their chosen discipline. One of the top degree choices for graduate students at FSU is the Master of Business Administration, which is offered on campus as well as online. The online version of the program does not have residency requirements, and it is fully accredited to provide the same training, expertise, and credentials as the residential program. MBA students at Ferris can select a degree focus from the four available options: nursing, pharmacy, professional and diversified. Each concentration prepares students for specialized leadership positions in their chosen field of expertise.
At the doctoral level, graduate students at Ferris can choose from a selection of professional and Ph.D. programs. From the Doctor of Pharmacy to the Doctor of Education, each degree program is carefully designed to cultivate high-level research and analytical skills in students. The Ed.D. program requires a master’s degree in education and takes about three years to complete. It is a special program designed for education students pursuing leadership positions in community colleges. The Doctorate in Community College Leadership program provides students with an in-depth look at topics relevant to higher education, including finance, technology, education policy, marketing, teaching, and resource development.
FSU offers many certificate programs on its physical and online campuses. From cybersecurity and digital marketing to human resource management and international business, the certificate programs at FSU are designed to provide a career boost to working professionals who already have a college degree.
About Ferris State University
FSU was founded in 1884 in Big Rapids, Mich. Its original name was Big Rapids Industrial School, and it was designed to provide practical real-world skills for aspiring professionals in the region. The school became Ferris State University in 1987, and it has grown from one building on 20 acres of land in 1950 to 115 buildings on 880 acres of land today. With 14,000 students, 584 faculty members and 927 administrators, FSU offers students a personalized learning experience. Notable alumni include actors Shawn Christian and Jeff Hephner as well as Beach Boys guitarist Al Jardine.
Ferris State University Accreditation Details
FSU is institutionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The HLC provides regional accreditation for colleges throughout the central U.S., and it is approved by the U.S. Department of Education. With regional accreditation, FSU is able to offer students a high level of credibility that is recognized by other accredited institutions throughout the world. In addition to institutional accreditation, many programs at FSU are accredited by specialized agencies, including:
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
- Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
- American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation
- American Optometric Association Accreditation Council on Optometric Education
- Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
- Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology
- National Association of Schools of Art and Design, Commission on Accreditation
Programmatic accreditation ensures that students who graduate from specialized programs will have the skills and expertise to enter professional fields in competitive industries. These special accreditations are valid for campus-based programs as well as online programs.
Ferris State University Application Requirements
FSU has an acceptance rate of 74 percent, and first-year applicants to FSU have an average high school GPA of 3.25. Of the 74 percent of applicants accepted to Ferris, 25 percent end up enrolling in classes. The admissions process begins with an online application and the submission of any supporting documents and test scores. The minimum requirements for SAT scores are 520 for the reading section and 500 for the math section. Most admitted applicants score between 520 and 640 for reading and between 500 and 600 for math.
Applicants are required to submit high school or college transcripts with information about GPA, course schedule, graduation ranking and graduation date. Graduate school applications must be submitted with information about a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited college. Additional supporting documents may include professional certificates, licenses and written recommendations. Deadlines for enrollment are August 1 for the fall semester and December 1 for the spring semester.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition costs at FSU are about $11,290 per year for Michigan residents and $18,000 per year for non-residents. The cost of books, supplies and living expenses can increase the total amount by $12,000 to $16,000 per year. The cost of tuition for graduate and online programs is about the same as the cost for undergraduate and residential programs. Students can apply for financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) website. FAFSA provides access to low-interest public loans that don’t need to be repaid while the borrower is in school. Students with financial need may also qualify for free Pell Grants.
Ferris State University is a convenient and economical choice for college students pursuing degrees in healthcare, education, arts, and sciences.