About Ferris State University | Ferris State University

About Ferris State University | Ferris State University
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Ferris State University
About Ferris
Ferris State University is a mid-sized four-year public university known for its quality
of instruction and large selection of academic programs, ranging from associate to
doctoral degrees, offered through seven degree-granting colleges:
College of Arts, Sciences and Education
College of Business
College of Engineering Technology
College of Health Professions
Kendall College of Art and Design
Michigan College of Optometry
College of Pharmacy
The University's main campus is located in scenic
Big Rapids, Michigan
.
Mission and Core Values
The University strives to align its practices and resources in support of its core
values of collaboration, diversity, ethical community, excellence, learning and opportunity.
Ferris' mission is to prepare students for successful careers, responsible citizenship
and lifelong learning. Through its many partnerships and its career-oriented, broad-based
education, Ferris serves our rapidly changing global economy and society. For more
information on the University’s mission and core values, visit our
Mission, Vision, and Values page
.
Degree Programs
Students at Ferris have exceptional access to faculty due to the University’s low
student-faculty ratio and small class sizes, which promote more engaging instruction,
one-on-one career advice and professional connections. Courses at Ferris State are
taught by credentialed, dedicated instructors who have real-world experience in their
fields and provide relevant, adaptive coursework with an emphasis on hands-on learning.
For more information on academics at Ferris, visit our
Academics homepage
.
Ferris is committed to ensuring that students gain real-world skills outside of the
classroom. The university works with numerous external partners, including alumni,
industry and professional leaders, for program direction and networking advantages.
It also requires program-related internships in most of its degree programs. As a
result, the majority of students enrolled in bachelor’s or more advanced degree programs
participate in internships that support their personal and professional growth. For
more information on student internship activities, visit our
Internships page
.
Facilities
Ferris State also partners with industry leaders to maintain state-of-the-art equipment
and technology. Its instructional and supportive spaces include the following high-quality
facilities:
Centers for Welding Excellence and Advanced Manufacturing
College of Pharmacy Center for Innovational Learning and Research
Dow Interactive Eye Learning Center
Ferris Library for Information, Technology and Education
Granger Center for Construction and HVACR
Heavy Equipment Lab
Information Security and Intelligence Digital Forensics Lab
National Elastomer Center
Shimadzu Core Laboratory
Television and Digital Media Production Studio
Ferris offers a number of facilities to support amenities for commuter and residential
students, including University Center, its popular student union and activity space.
For more on University Center, visit ferris.edu/universitycenter. It recently completed
construction of North Hall, a state-of-the-art living/learning residence hall to enhance
the first-year student experience. Learn more at our
North Hall homepage
.
Statewide and Transfer Offerings
Ferris serves students from many different backgrounds and regions, and provides access
to educational opportunities through a traditional, residential college experience
on the university's main campus in Big Rapids or through its statewide locations,
online learning, and partnerships with community colleges and career technical centers.
More than any institution in the state, Ferris State has connected with Michigan community
colleges, creating partnerships on multiple campuses and expanding its online offerings
to allow students to complete coursework at their local community colleges toward
a Ferris degree. Learn more on our
Statewide homepage
.
More students choose to transfer to Ferris than any other university in Michigan.
Ferris offers a unique transfer process that allows students to build on their education
with little or no loss of credit. For more information on transfer opportunities,
visit our
Transfer page
.
University History
Ferris was founded in 1884 by Woodbridge and Helen Ferris as the privately-owned Big
Rapids Industrial School. It became a state institution in 1950 and a state university
in 1987. Since its beginning, Ferris has been dedicated to providing students of diverse
backgrounds with educational opportunities for rewarding professional and civic lives.
For more information on the history of the university, head to our
History page
.
Ferris Proud
From the enduring wisdom of our founders to the victories of our Bulldog student-athletes,
Ferris State University's faculty, staff, students, alumni, board members, fans, and
supporters have a lot to be proud of.
Our campus and our landmarks, such as the FLITE library and Carillon Tower, are beacons
that welcome all Bulldogs home. New projects, like the Center for Athletic Performance
and Center for Virtual Learning, bring cutting-edge resources to our campus.
The faculty and staff at Ferris are consistently recognized for their scholarship,
their expertise, and their unmatched dedication to our students.
Our academic programs are innovative, comprehensive, and in many cases, ranked amongst
the best in the world. They help our students accelerate their education, their careers,
and their lives forward.
Our resources and programming are powerful, inclusive, and shape our community into
a welcoming place for all.
Most importantly, Ferris State University can be proud of the graduates that carry
the lessons learned in our classrooms with them into the world, where they make a
positive impact as makers of momentum and leaders in their field.
Learn More About Ferris Proud
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