Worcester State University

worcester state majors

Accredited, Affordable Liberal Arts Education at WSU

Worcester State University appears in our ranking of 100 Affordable Public Schools With High 40-Year ROIs.

Ranked the North’s 100th best college by the U.S. News & World Report, Worcester State University is a public, coed AASCU member in Central Massachusetts that offers 61 bachelor’s, 26 master’s, and three specialist degrees, including three fully online, plus an Early College with a 17:1 student-faculty ratio. For example, the Dr. Lillian R. Goodman Nursing Department grants a 120-credit, CCNE-accredited BS in Nursing where aspiring RNs engage in the Simulation Lab, pledge Sigma Theta Tau, and practice with 50+ clinical partners like UMass Memorial. Chaired by Dr. Jeffrey Nichols, the 120-credit BS in Chemistry provides opportunities to conduct Ghosh Center research, join Gamma Sigma Epsilon, intern at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, study away in New Zealand, and celebrate STEM Week.

Online on Blackboard since Fall 2019, the ME in Early Childhood Education has delivered a 34-credit, 14-month curriculum for currently licensed teachers to add the Massachusetts EEC Endorsement after eight-week Web courses like Literacy in the Classroom and a portfolio evaluation. Directed by Dr. Cheryl Lucas, the Master of Occupational Therapy follows a 92-credit, ACOTE-accredited path toward a 100 percent NBCOT exam pass rate with two 12-week practica at Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital, South Bay Mental Health, Willow Manor, and more. Other Worcester degrees include the BS in Geography, BA in Liberal Studies, BA in Music, BS in Sociology, BA in Communication, MS in Biotechnology, MA in Spanish, MS in Nonprofit Management, ME in Reading, and EDS in School Psychology.

About Worcester State University

Worcester State University originated in 1874 when the Massachusetts General Court approved a petition for the Commonwealth’s fifth teacher training site called Worcester Normal School. That Fall, Principal E. Harlow Russell welcomed the inaugural class to St. Ann’s Hill for two-year educator certificates. By 1894, the Industrial Revolution helped the Worcester Normal School’s population exceed 17,000. In 1921, Principal William B. Aspinwall implemented the first four-year Bachelor of Science degree. In 1932, it was renamed Worcester State Teachers College. One decade later, George I. Rockwood donated his Willow Farm to relocate WSTC to its present home. In 1952, the Master of Science in Education became its first graduate program. In 1963, it became Worcester State College with a broader liberal arts emphasis. In 1970, Chandler Village was erected for on-campus residences. In 2010, the Legislature finally adopted the Worcester State University name.

Endowed for $17.6 million, Worcester State University now employs 425 faculty instructing 5,495 undergrad and 939 post-grad Lancers from 25 countries on its 58-acre, 18-building “Heart of the Commonwealth” campus or online with 40+ clubs like Omicron Delta Kappa. In 2014, WSU received its fifth President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll Award. In 2017, Worcester won its ninth straight Landmark Readers’ Choice Award. Worcester State University accepted a 2019 CASE Educational Fundraising Excellence Award too. The U.S. News & World Report applauded WSU for the 75th best occupational therapy degree and 213th top speech-language pathology program. On Niche, WSU boasts America’s 374th best dorms and 480th top tuition value. The Princeton Review picked Worcester for its 2019 “Guide to Green Colleges.” WCVB-TV featured Worcester State University as New England’s seventh cheapest school. WalletHub chose WSU 67th in the North. Forbes crowned Worcester the 128th best city.

Worcester State University Accreditation Details

On October 14, 2012, Worcester State University underwent a comprehensive evaluation visit by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE) to reaffirm its Level IV accreditation through 2022 under President Barry M. Maloney. Located 50 miles northeast via Interstate 90 in Burlington, this superb six-state New England Region accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE). The Council on Higher Education Accreditation also lists the following Worcester approvals:

  • Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
  • Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
  • Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
  • National Association of School Psychologists
  • Council on Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

Worcester State University Application Requirements

Getting into Worcester State University is classified as “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s because 3,173 of the 4,076 Fall 2018 applicants were chosen for competitive 78 percent acceptance. First-year Lancers must fulfill the 17 prerequisite college-prep courses, including four English units. Only the Early College caters to Worcester Public School students in 11th and 12th grade. The Class of 2022 reported an average secondary GPA of 3.32. Mid-range admitted SAT scores are 1010-1390. The middle 50th percentile have ACT scores of 22-26. GPAs above 3.0 qualify test-optional entrance though. Minimum scores are 910 for the SAT and 19 for the ACT. Transfers need cumulative GPAs over 2.0 with 23+ accredited college credits. LPN to BS in Nursing majors need a minimum NACE score of 62. International students must exceed the 71 TOEFL internet or 50 PTE mark. The Graduate School requires a 2.75 or greater GPA during a four-year bachelor’s preparation. Scoring in the top 50 percent on the GRE/GMAT is often required. Online Master of Education cohorts need PreK-12 certification and teaching experience.

Worcester State University enforces freshman deadlines of November 15th for Early Action and March 1st for Regular Decision. The BS in Nursing and BS in Occupational Studies close on January 15th. Priority transfer dates are August 1st for Fall and November 15th for Spring. The Graduate School has general deadlines of June 15th, November 1st, and April 1st. MS in Speech-Language Pathology cohorts must file by February 1st. The Master of Occupational Therapy seeks post-bachelor’s candidates until March 1st. Accordingly, submit the Worcester Application online with $50 or an NACAC fee waiver. Send official transcripts to 486 Chandler Street in Worcester, MA 01602. Attach supporting materials, such as the test scores, 1-2 recommendation letters, career plan, personal essay, and residency statement. Contact (508) 929-8040 or [email protected] with questions.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2019-20, Worcester State University has billed in-state undergrads $5,080 per term or $10,161 annually. Non-resident bachelor’s tuition is $16,241 each year full-time. New England students pay $10,646 per year. The $72 activity fee and $110 health services fee are included. Living at the Worcester campus’ housing like Sheehan Hall adds $7,778 to $8,478 for room and board. Health insurance costs $2,985 extra unless waived. WSU budgets $1,368 for books and $1,700 for miscellaneous. Annual undergrad attendance equals $25,589 in-state or $31,669 out-of-state. Part-time undergrads incur $423 to $676 per credit. The Graduate School charges $322 per credit or $966 each three-credit course. Online ME cohorts spend slightly more at $365 per credit or $12,410 total.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Financial Aid Office on the Shaughnessy Admission Building’s 1st Floor links 88 percent of new full-time WSU Lancers to average aid of $5,303 each for $3.41 million combined. University funds include the Anne O’Malley Scholarship, Dr. Sibyl Brownlee Scholarship, Kevin O’Brien Scholarship, Bedard Family Scholarship, Craig Dempsey Memorial Scholarship, Elizabeth Carver Memorial Scholarship, Father Roland Chenier Scholarship, James McSherry Scholarship, Nathaniel Mencow U.S. History Scholarship, Paul Carnazza Scholarship, Vera Dowden Baldwin Scholarship, and Jose Bunuan Memorial Scholarship. The Santander Scholars Program presents $2,500 yearly to six freshman BS in Business Administration majors with GPAs above 2.50. The $1,500 Aaron Mastrorio Memorial Scholarship has an April 15th deadline for junior and senior Army ROTC members. Federal resources, such as the Pell Grant or Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant, require FAFSA applications coded 002190. Bay Staters also pursue the MASS Grant, State Access Grant, Gilbert Matching Grant, Public Service Grant, Foster Child Grant, High Demand Scholarship, and more.

Search through 21 accredited departments for 90+ diverse, in-demand degrees placed 514th overall by Washington Monthly on the Worcester State University website.