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Bridgewater State University is a public university in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, that offers over 100 academic programs for first-year, transfer, continuing and graduate students. You can apply as a Dual Enrollment Student if you want to take courses at BSU while still in high school.

Bridgewater State University is dedicated to student success. With intensive student-faculty engagement in the classroom, an average class size of 22 students, and targeted support through the Academic Achievement Center, traditionally underserved and at-risk students are succeeding at BSU.

Applicants who do not meet the minimum weighted GPA or sliding scale requirements are still encouraged to apply. You will be considered for admission based on a careful reading of additional information you have provided to us in the optional materials that you have submitted (e.g. essay, letters, interviews, etc.).

Special consideration is given to applicants out of high school for three years or more, students from educationally disadvantaged environments, working adults, and candidates who exhibit exceptional potential.

Bridgewater State University was named a 2024 Best College in America based on return on investment. The most affordable option for students in the region, students can attend BSU for roughly a third of the cost of most private colleges. According to The Wall Street Journal, students may earn a complete return on their investment at BSU in less than 2+ years.

History

Bridgewater State University was founded by Horace Mann as Bridgewater Normal School. It opened on September 9, 1840, making it the oldest permanently-located institution of public higher education in Massachusetts. BSU is among America’s oldest teacher education institutions.

Today, Bridgewater is regarded as the “home of teacher education in America,” and it has the largest enrollment of teacher education students in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Since the 1960s, the school has expanded its program to include liberal arts, business, and aviation science. It became a university and took on its present name, Bridgewater State University, in 2010.

Academics

BSU is the largest of nine state universities in the Massachusetts Public Higher Education system. Approximately 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students attend classes on over 235 acres in the town of Bridgewater, Massachusetts.

BSU is the college of choice for first-year students who are looking for a traditional New England campus setting that offers world-class learning opportunities both inside the classroom and beyond.

BSU provides a wide range of degree programs through its School of Arts and Sciences, School of Education and Allied Studies, and School of Management and Aviation Science. Whatever you’re interested in, BSU has 100+ academic programs and a myriad of resources you need to reach your goals.

Through their Ed2Go program, Bridgewater also offers a wide range of non-credit enrichment classes that you can take entirely over the Internet. They even offer a Homeschool with Success course!

Admissions

The Massachusetts Department of Higher Education requires that first-year applicants complete the following 17 college preparatory courses over their four years of high school to qualify for college admission:

• English – 4 courses
• Mathematics – 4 courses (Algebra I & II and Geometry or Trigonometry, or comparable coursework) including mathematics during the final year of high school
• Sciences – 3 courses (drawn from Natural Science and/or Physical Science and/or Technology/ Engineering), including 3 courses with laboratory work
• Social Sciences – 2 courses (including 1 course in U.S. History)
• Foreign Languages – 2 courses (in a single language)
• Electives – 2 courses (from the above subjects or from the Arts & Humanities or Computer Sciences)

As part of a national trend, Bridgewater State University is now allowing First-Year applicants to choose whether or not to submit standardized test scores (SAT or ACT) to be considered in the admission process. Regardless of whether or not scores are submitted, the high school transcript remains the most important factor in the admission process.

Bridgewater State University awards academic credits that students may earn though the College Level Exam Program (CLEP) of the College Board. Students may arrange to take CLEP examinations at any of the national test centers, which includes BSU.

Note that new First-Year admission to Bridgewater State University is selective. However, BSU welcomes applications from transfer students, which may be a homeschooler’s best bet. A student is considered a transfer student once a course is taken at another institution after graduating from high school.

Homeschoolers should consider trying out one of BSU’s online enrichment courses.