Fitchburg State University’s online graduate program in history has been ranked as one of the most affordable such programs in the country. The rankings, recently posted by Online U, put Fitchburg State’s master’s level history degree as the third most affordable program in the U.S. There will be a free webinar on the program at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, where attendees can learn more about the curriculum, admissions requirements, financial aid opportunities and tuition. To register for the free webinar, please visit https://bit.ly/mainhistory. The Master of Arts in History program had been offered as a hybrid (blending in-person and online courses) for several years, but students have made it clear they enjoy the flexibility of an online format. While the general method of course delivery has changed, much of what has attracted students to Fitchburg State’s program for decades remains the same. OnlineU is a guide that researches accredited institutions offering online programs in order to provide rankings that help prospective students to find an online program that matches their budgets and career aspirations. To be considered for these rankings, a program must be regionally or nationally accredited and offer a degree in a given subject that is obtainable online or requires only very limited amounts of in-person work, allowing students to retain their current employment and meet other personal obligations. Fitchburg State’s Master of Arts in History program was ranked third overall. “For nearly 30 years, Fitchburg State’s graduate program in history has successfully trained students, enabling them to deepen their knowledge of the historian’s craft, to explore a broad range of historical topics at the graduate level, and to work closely with faculty on historical research projects leading to a master’s thesis or a master’s degree,” said Professor Daniel Sarefield, who chairs the graduate program in history. “Over this time, hundreds of students have refined their knowledge of the past and become better historical researchers and writers and better history instructors at the middle school, secondary and post-secondary levels.” Since the 2017-2018 academic year, Fitchburg State’s history graduate program has been offering courses online on a regular basis. University faculty offer high-quality graduate instruction in the discipline of history in online and hybrid (History Institute) courses, as well as one-on-one instruction in directed studies and thesis projects, that use technology to bring instructors and students together virtually to facilitate discussion and debate on course topics and enhance graduate instruction.  If you have any questions about the program or wish to speak with someone about pursuing a Master of Arts degree in history at Fitchburg State, contact Professor Sarefield at dsarefield@fitchburgstate.edu. Back to News

Fitchburg State University will welcome students back to campus this fall with a mixture of in-person and remote instruction that will allow students to pursue their academic goals while keeping all members of the campus community safe. Residence halls will also reopen in new configurations. The COVID-19 pandemic’s arrival in the spring semester required colleges and universities to move to remote instruction and online delivery of student support services. The experience was disruptive but provided valuable lessons that are helping shape the development of the fall semester plans, University President Richard S. Lapidus said. When the semester begins in September, most classes will be offered in a hybrid format, blending in-person instruction with remote sessions. Class schedules and classroom configurations will be modified to allow for social distancing on campus. “Our goal is to offer as much flexibility for students and faculty as possible,” President Lapidus said. “The combination of course types and numbers are still under consideration with the understanding that certain courses require in-class delivery and conversely reducing the number of people on campus at one time is an important consideration. Additionally, we will continue to work on various ways to deliver the robust array of support services that students both on- and off-campus need and depend on.” Residence halls will open with reduced occupancy. Most rooms will be configured as singles with some others configured as doubles to serve as “family units” within suites. The university is still determining how room assignments will be made. The university’s dining areas will be open but with new protocols and occupancy limits, along with regular sanitizing of chairs and tables. These plans, designed to protect the health and safety of our community, meet current guidance provided by Governor Baker’s higher educational working group shared as part of the state’s safe reopening plan, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH). The university is prepared to alter its direction should these guidelines change and will follow any new guidance from the state as it pertains to testing and contact tracing for which protocols are still being developed. Officials are also awaiting guidance from the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference about organized sports this fall, though President Lapidus said the university is committed to developing programs that will foster the sense of belonging that is crucial to a robust collegiate experience. “All of us are committed to fulfilling our mission and providing students with the academic and life experiences they deserve and have come to expect,” President Lapidus said. Information on the university’s ongoing COVID-19 response can be found at fitchburgstate.edu/coronavirus. Back to News

Learn about the opportunities for graduate-level education programs when Fitchburg State University hosts an online information session at 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 14. Fitchburg State offers more than a dozen education programs, in online, in-person or hybrid models, through its School of Graduate, Online and Continuing Education. Many of the programs also include licensure. The online information session, offered in a live Q&A format, will give prospective students the opportunity to engage with the education program chairs, advisors, and admissions counselors while learning more about their education program of interest. Fitchburg State’s education programs include specialties in curriculum and teaching; early childhood education; grade 5-12; educational leadership and management (including school principal and director); elementary education; occupational education; and special education. Visit https://www.fitchburgstate.edu/academics/graduate-studies/ to learn more about the education program or Fitchburg State’s other graduate offerings. For more information on the information session or to register, please visit https://admissions.fitchburgstate.edu/register/EducationInfoSession. Back to News

Fitchburg State University’s online graduate program in history has been ranked as one of the most affordable such programs in the country. The rankings, recently posted by Online U, put Fitchburg State’s master’s level history degree as the third most affordable program in the U.S. There will be a free webinar on the program at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, where attendees can learn more about the curriculum, admissions requirements, financial aid opportunities and tuition. To register for the free webinar, please visit https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5820853447853178379. The Master of Arts in History program had been offered as a hybrid (blending in-person and online courses) for several years, but students have made it clear they enjoy the flexibility of an online format. While the general method of course delivery has changed, much of what has attracted students to Fitchburg State’s program for decades remains the same. OnlineU is a guide that researches accredited institutions offering online programs in order to provide rankings that help prospective students to find an online program that matches their budgets and career aspirations. To be considered for these rankings, a program must be regionally or nationally accredited and offer a degree in a given subject that is obtainable online or requires only very limited amounts of in-person work, allowing students to retain their current employment and meet other personal obligations. Fitchburg State’s Master of Arts in History program was ranked third overall. “For nearly 30 years, Fitchburg State’s graduate program in history has successfully trained students, enabling them to deepen their knowledge of the historian’s craft, to explore a broad range of historical topics at the graduate level, and to work closely with faculty on historical research projects leading to a master’s thesis or a master’s degree,” said Professor Daniel Sarefield, who chairs the graduate program in history. “Over this time, hundreds of students have refined their knowledge of the past and become better historical researchers and writers and better history instructors at the middle school, secondary and post-secondary levels.” Since the 2017-2018 academic year, Fitchburg State’s history graduate program has been offering courses online on a regular basis. University faculty offer high-quality graduate instruction in the discipline of history in online and hybrid (History Institute) courses, as well as one-on-one instruction in directed studies and thesis projects, that use technology to bring instructors and students together virtually to facilitate discussion and debate on course topics and enhance graduate instruction.  If you have any questions about the program or wish to speak with someone about pursuing a Master of Arts degree in history at Fitchburg State, contact Professor Sarefield at dsarefield@fitchburgstate.edu. Back to News

Leaders from Fitchburg State University and Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical High School recently signed an articulation agreement that will let high school students receive credits in early childhood education toward their bachelor’s degrees. The agreement is designed to support students by building on past learning experience and eliminating unnecessary duplication of learning outcomes. Under terms of the agreement, Monty Tech students who have completed the Early Childhood Education Career Pathway Levels I-IV with a grade of B or higher will be granted six college credits at Fitchburg State, replacing the collegiate courses on Foundations of Inclusive Education and Designing Environments for Young Children. The credits will be accepted for four years after the student graduates from Monty Tech. The agreement was created after a lengthy review of course objectives at the high school and collegiate level to insure students were acquiring college level knowledge and competencies. “This agreement recognizes the caliber of early childhood education preparation occurring at Monty Tech, and will give students a head start on their collegiate aspirations,” Fitchburg State President Richard S. Lapidus said. “We’re proud to continue the constructive collaboration with area school districts that result in opportunities for student success.” “Monty Tech is thrilled to partner with Fitchburg State University on the Early Childhood Program articulation,” said Monty Tech Superintendent-Director Sheila M. Harrity. “With this agreement, our Early Childhood program students will have the opportunity to earn six college credits from Fitchburg State and apply it to their undergraduate program at no cost to them or their families. This is a wonderful way to build the early childhood training and workforce pipeline that is needed in our region. In addition, this partnership has allowed our Early Childhood program instructors to work directly with faculty from Fitchburg State. These conversations allowed for the sharing of curriculum and improving the rigor of our coursework at the high school level.” The articulation agreement is effective immediately and will be reviewed in May 2023. Back to News

The Fitchburg State community is invited to gather for a series of Courageous Conversations around themes of race and justice. The virtual programs, launching with the theme that “All Lives Can’t Matter Unless Black Lives Matter,” have been organized by the university’s Leading for Change group and its Center for Diversity and Inclusiveness. The schedule is as follows:Tuesday, June 23 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. (for students). Click here to join the discussion or click here to view a livestream of the event. To join by phone, please call 1 385-645-6909 and enter PIN: ‪446 378 822# Thursday, June 25 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. (for employees). Click here to join the discussion or click here to view a livestream of the event. To join by phone, please call 1 712-308-8904 and enter PIN: ‪972 636 850# Tuesday, June 30 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. (for all Falcons). Click here to join the discussion or click here to view a livestream of the event. To join by phone, please call 1 402-789-6875 and enter PIN: ‪294 139 018# This program has been organized with assistance from the following:Black Student Union Latin American Student Organization Leading for Change Committee Center for Diversity and Inclusiveness Office of Student Development Office of the Provost Division of Student Affairs Human Resources/Payroll For more information, please visit the following Facebook Groups: Back to News

Fitchburg State University’s School of Graduate, Online and Continuing Education will host an online information session about its forensic nursing program at 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 30. The session is free. The Master of Science in Nursing Degree Program is designed for registered nurses who wish to pursue advanced leadership positions in the community and the health care system. The graduate is prepared to contribute to the development of nursing science, to the improvement of health care, and to pursue doctoral study. The program is offered completely online. Fitchburg State’s online information sessions give prospective students the opportunity to engage with the program chair, advisor, and admissions counselor while learning more about their program of interest. The Q&A format allows prospective students to submit questions that will be answered live. To learn more or to register, please visit https://admissions.fitchburgstate.edu/register/ForensicNursingOIS.  Back to News

To the campus community,    Like so many of you, I have been deeply affected by the events of the past week across this country. The tragic killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis has reopened unhealed wounds, and compels us to reflect, and to act.  The anguish that is heard across our country today is fueled by deep-seated, institutionalized injustice that energizes racism, persecution and brutality. We must do better as a society, recognizing that Black lives matter, and that justice for all is at the very foundation of what this country should represent. We must all take a stand against ignorance and hate as it is a direct attack on our central values of tolerance, compassion and inclusion.  As so many cities erupt into violence, I encourage all of us to look at our own communities and explore peaceful ways we can reshape the world around us. Our campus community can be part of this solution by renewing our commitment to promoting equity and justice, and to building a world where opportunity is not limited by the color of one’s skin. Our Leading for Change efforts, including the principles of education justice and being a student-ready campus, are embedded in the strategic plan that is now taking shape as our roadmap for the coming years.  The work is essential, and involves all of us. We must do better if we are to create the just, inclusive, and safe society that all of us deserve. Sincerely, Richard S. Lapidus President Back to News

Fitchburg State University’s efforts to remake career advising for students has been awarded a grant of more than $250,000 from the Davis Educational Foundation. The funds will enable the university to build a comprehensive model of career advising and services. Over the next three years, the Career Services and Advising Center will work with faculty to develop core career competencies and map them to curricula in 11 academic departments and the general educational curriculum. The grant will also support the creation of a comprehensive internship and employer relations model. “Fitchburg State is grateful for the ongoing support of the Davis Educational Foundation, whose previous grants have supported the university’s efforts to improve data collection and degree completion,” University President Richard S. Lapidus said. “The foundation’s latest investment will support career outcomes in connection to degrees and academic credit accumulation. We are strategically focused on student success through career mapping, experiential learning, and advising to expedite students’ pathways toward careers. The cumulative impact over these three grants are significant. We have been recognized as a leader in student social mobility, veterans support, women's opportunities, Hispanic and minority student support, and most importantly, cited as one of the ‘best value colleges’ in 2020. The Davis Educational Foundation is an important part of our story and we look forward to a bright and promising future of collaborations.” President Lapidus also thanked the career services and advancement office staff for their work not only in support of the grant application but for their commitment to serving the comprehensive needs of Fitchburg State’s students. “My staff and I are excited to continue this work thanks to the support of the Davis Educational Foundation,” said Director of Career Services and Advising Melisa Alves. “We look forward to working with our campus partners to advance the work Fitchburg State is doing around connecting academics to the world of work. As we move forward with this work, along with our plans to build career communities, an internship program, and career readiness courses, we are confident our students will benefit greatly as we provide career services support that will prepare them for whichever step they decide to take upon graduating from Fitchburg State University.”   “This grant is important for the students we serve, for our Career Services and Advising Center, and for the institution as a whole,” said Assistant to the Provost for Student Success Sean C. Goodlett. “We are appreciative for the Davis Educational Foundation’s continued support, and for the work of our Career Services and Advising team, who were the inspiration for our application. Their work, in the most challenging of circumstances, is a model for us all.” About the Davis Educational Foundation The Davis Educational Foundation, established as a public charitable foundation in 1985, supports the undergraduate programs of public and private, regionally accredited, baccalaureate degree granting colleges and universities throughout the six New England states. Elisabeth K. Davis and Stanton W. Davis co-founded the foundation after Mr. Davis’s retirement as chairman of Shaw’s Supermarkets, Inc. The foundation is an expression of the couple’s shared support and value for higher education and has provided more than $115 million in grants to more than 174 institutions. Back to News