Ferris State University

Ferris State University Admissions and General School Information

Ferris State University is a 4-year public educational institution located in Big Rapids, MI. The school grants undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees in areas including education, design, business, engineering, pharmacy and optometry.

About Ferris State University

Founded as Big Rapids Industrial School in 1884, Ferris State University has since grown to become the ninth largest university in Michigan. Currently, the total student population is 13,532. Ferris State has a student-to-faculty ratio of 18:1.

In addition to its main campus in Big Rapids, Ferris State University has several satellite locations in Grand Rapids, Flint, Dowagiac, Traverse City and Lansing. The College of Professional & Technological Studies oversees these locations.

Admissions and Enrollment Information

Students are encouraged to complete the application online and will need to provide information including the names and addresses of relatives and the majors they're interested in studying. Students applying to the Kendall College of Art need to submit statements of purpose and portfolios. International students are required to submit TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores in addition to applications detailing school and financial information.

Ferris State University Colleges

College of Allied Health Sciences

The College of Allied Health Sciences houses the School of Nursing and offers degree programs in clinical science, dental hygiene and medical imaging. The School of Nursing offers a nursing education certificate, an RN to BSN program, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing pre-licensure program and a Master of Science in Nursing. Many programs, such as dental hygiene and radiography, can be completed in 2-3 years.

College of Arts and Sciences

Seven departments make up the College of Arts and Sciences, These include the departments of humanities, biological sciences, social sciences, physical sciences and mathematics. The Department of the Humanities offers history and communication degrees and minors in several different areas of the humanities. The physical sciences department offers biology and chemistry bachelor's degrees and industrial chemistry technology, pre-science and pre-mortuary associate's degrees.

College of Business

The College of Business offers accountancy, business administration and advertising undergraduate degrees. Associate's degree programs in computer information systems, general business and other areas are also available. Graduate programs include the MBA and Master of Science in Information Systems Management. The MBA may also be combined with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting or a Ph.D. in Pharmacy.

College of Education and Human Services

The College Education and Human Services is home to the School of Education and the School of Criminal Justice. The School of Criminal Justice offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in law enforcement, corrections and criminal justice administration. The school also offers an associate's degree program in pre-criminal justice. The School of Education offers undergraduate degree programs in English education, biology education, history education and many other specialized areas.

College of Engineering Technology

The College of Engineering Technology is home to the School of Design and Manufacturing, the School of Built Environment, the School of Automotive and Heavy Equipment and the School of Computer, Electrical, Energy, Mechanical & Surveying Systems. This college has been recognized by the American Society of Engineering Education as being one of the top five U.S. colleges for women receiving bachelor's degrees.

Kendall College of Art and Design

The Kendall College of Art and Design offers undergraduate degree programs in furniture design, metals and jewelry, digital media and painting. All students are required to complete studio and art history coursess. The graduate degrees offered include Master of Fine Arts and Master of Art Education.

Michigan College of Optometry

The Michigan College of Optometry offers Bachelor of Science in Vision Science and Doctor of Optometry degrees. The Doctor of Optometry program is typically completed in four years and admits just 36 students per year. Admission is competitive, with a rigorous health sciences curriculum. Upon completion of the program, students wishing to specialize in certain areas of eye care have seven residency programs from which to choose.

College of Pharmacy

The College of Pharmacy offers the Doctor of Pharmacy (D.Pharm.) degree and has accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. The college has been recognized since 1893 by the Michigan Board of Pharmacy and belongs to the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP). The first two years of the program are completed at the Big Rapids campus; students transfer to the Grand Rapids or Kalamazoo campuses for their third year. The final year of study involves working in pharmacies throughout Michigan.

College of Professional & Technological Studies

The College of Professional & Technological Studies offers a combination of associate, bachelor's and master's degree programs. Certificates in areas such as facilities management, e-commerce marketing and quality technology are also offered. The programs offered by the College of Professional & Technological Studies are designed for working professionals wishing to change careers or to enhance their skills in a particular area. The college's programs are often available through other colleges and in other locations, more than one location and some may be completed entirely online.

Contact Information

  • Address: 1201 S. State St, Big Rapids, MI 49307
  • Phone Number: (231) 591-2000