Frostburg State University

Carnegie Foundation Classification

Master's Colleges and Universities (larger programs)

General Characteristics

Highest offering	Master's degree
Calendar System	Semester
Years of college work required	N/A
Variable Tuition

Special Learning Opportunities

Distance Learning
ROTC — Army / Navy / Airforce	— / /
Study Abroad
Weekend College
Teacher Certification

Frostburg State University History

Frostburg State was founded in 1898 as State Normal School #2, authorized by the Maryland General Assembly. The first campus structure was completed in 1900, and the first commencement ceremony was held in 1904. The name was changed to State Teachers’ College at Frostburg in 1935, and four year programs were added in 1960. The College was granted University status in 1987 and joined the Maryland State University system the following year.

Frostburg State University is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Its mission statement says in part, “Couched within a liberal arts tradition, undergraduate programs promote intellectual growth and equip learners with problem-solving and decision-making abilities useful in developing global understanding and effecting civic responsibility and constructive change.” It is classed as a Master’s College and University I by the Carnegie Institute.

Frostburg State University Academics

Frostburg State offers nearly 50 majors and programs of study with numerous minors and supporting concentrations available. The student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1, giving Frostburg a “small college feel,” and the overwhelming majority of classes have fewer than 30 students in them. There are nearly 250 full-time faculty members, 80% of whom have the terminal degree in their field. Frostburg offers special academic opportunities for students with diverse interests and accomplishments, including an Honors Program, Learning Communities, education and teacher certifications, and internships. There are nearly a dozen pre-professional programs available, including pre-medical, pre-law, and pre-dentistry.

Frostburg State University has academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level. There are 3 colleges: the College of Business, the College of Education, and the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.

p. Bachelor’s degrees are offered in a variety of fields within the various academic colleges. Degrees at the bachelor’s level can be received in such areas as art & design, biology, education, engineering, geography, liberal studies, mathematics, nursing, recreation and parks management, and social work. There are also certificate programs in addictions counselor preparation, computer print graphics, computer science (various options), international area studies, and child and family psychology. Minors are offered in many of the above majors and in other areas such as writing, art history, environmental humanities, forestry, and leadership studies.

p. Graduate programs are offered at the master’s level in teaching, business administration, education, applied computer science, biological sciences, counseling psychology, park & recreation resource management, and engineering.

Frostburg State University Unique Programs

The Center for Regional Progress may be of interest to any student who lives or plans to work in the “tri-state area,” which includes Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. The Center serves as a repository and provider of information regarding economics, population, demographics, statistics, and other data regarding the region. The primary means of communication from the Center is the Regional Review newsletter.

The Children’s Literature Centre at Frostburg State grew out of the Spring Festival of Children’s Literature, founded as an honorarium to friends of the University. Today it disseminates good examples of children’s literature, advocates literacy, collaborates with other similar organizations, and bridges understanding about children’s reading habits.

The Environmental Planning & Land Management Institute provides grants to faculty and students for environmental research projects, and focuses on current and historical aspects of the local environment for the purposes of providing educational opportunities and addressing interests in the environment.

Frostburg State University has an undergraduate Honors Program. Students who seek admission to the Honors Program need to meet the following requirements: 3.5 high school GPA or 1180 SAT, with an SAT verbal of 580 desired. Once admitted to the Honors Program, students will be able to take special multidisciplinary programs, have travel/study experiences, and work on equal basis with faculty and administrators on program requirements and other activities. Students in the Honors Program have the opportunity to apply for research stipends to assist a professor with on-going research.

p. Frostburg State University offers optional Learning Community groups, where students take two or more related courses with the same classmates. Most courses are part of the General Education Requirements for all students.

Frostburg State University Financial Aid

Students seeking aid should complete their FAFSA as soon as possible and plan on submitting all other materials to meet the March 1 priority deadline for financial aid consideration. Scholarships fall under one of two categories: institutional or departmental. Institutional scholarships are general in nature and typically subjected to the same academic requirements, including grade point average and class rank. Departmental scholarships have similar requirements, but may also require proof of the applicant’s proficiency in the given subject. Such departmental scholarships are available for approximately 25 disciplines, including accounting, computer science, education, music, physics, visual arts, and others.

Tuition at Frostburg State University is $2,500 per semester for the 2005-2006 academic year for in-state, undergraduate students attending full-time. Additional mandatory fees are $615 per semester. Students applying from out of state and graduate students have higher costs. Residents of some nearby counties in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Virginia are eligible for reduced out-of-state tuition rates.

p. Financial aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans. Work-study programs are also available. Students who seek financial aid will need to fill out the Federal Student Financial Aid Form, available on-line. Engineering students have special programs requiring additional steps.

p. Graduate students may also receive financial aid in the form of teaching or research assistantships, including a stipend and a waiver of some or all of the tuition and other fees. Graduate students should consult with their individual department about what sort of assistantships or fellowships are available and about the details of the application process. Students who are in the Master of Arts in Teaching program must take additional steps.

Frostburg State University Students

Frostburg is home to over 130 student clubs and organizations and a nationally recognized AmeriCorps program. Frostburg provides the First Year Program, which supports new students in their adaptation to university life. The First Year Program includes living communities focusing on specific interests such as community service, substance-free lifestyle, and leadership development. The University Center houses eateries, meeting space, the theatre box office, and coffee shop. There are also places for relaxing with friends and playing games. There are a number of fraternities and sororities on campus that emphasize community service and leadership development. Perhaps the largest on-campus events of the year are Homecoming and Family Weekend, which are open to all students and their families.

Student life at Frostburg State University includes opportunities in a diverse range of activities and organizations. Programs include fraternities and sororities, academic and professional organizations, religious groups, political groups, and special interest groups such as Fourth Dimension Science Fiction Club, the Kittenettes Precision Dance Team, the Sierra Club, and Orienteering. There is a literary magazine and a student newspaper.

p. The Cultural Events Series presents plays and musical performances, and there are numerous intramural sports and athletic activities. Off-campus rafting, skiing, and hiking activities are organized for student participation.

Frostburg State University Local Community

Frostburg is located on the far eastern edge of Maryland and has a population of nearly 8,000. The town bills itself as “an Historic Main Street community,” referring to its revitalized downtown square and main thoroughfare. Though the town may be small in population, it is home to 18 churches and 6 parks. The most famous of Frostburg attractions is the Allegheny Highlands Trail that will eventually link Washington, D.C. to Cumberland, Maryland through a series of hiking and biking trails for nearly 400 miles.