Mission

The Graduate Studies programs support the mission and goals of Fairmont State University through graduate education. Based on experiential learning and interdisciplinary study, FSU offers select yet comprehensive high quality graduate programs. These programs strive to foster core competencies, cutting-edge technologies, and critical thinking. Committed and competent faculty prepare eager and reflective individuals for life and work in an increasingly complex, diverse, and global society. FSU graduate students receive personal attention as they work closely with faculty in small classes. Graduate programs at Fairmont State University are responsive to the needs of the external community, and in turn provide the most innovative and highest caliber graduate education in the region.

A student undertakes graduate study in order to gain a deeper knowledge in a particular academic discipline and to become able to demonstrate to the faculty and practitioners in the field the attained mastery of knowledge. Consequently, graduate study cannot be defined primarily in terms of semester hours of coursework beyond the baccalaureate, even though minimum coursework requirements are commonly specified for graduate degrees. Minimum requirements set the lower limit for an integrated plan of study.

Graduate students are expected to become participating members of the University community and are encouraged to attend the lectures presented by visiting scholars, to listen to academic discussions of their faculty, and to study with their fellow graduate students.

 Graduate Studies Goals:

• To provide high quality graduate degree programs in fields in which there are needs for people with such qualifications, for which there are prospective students seeking such advanced qualifications, and to which the University can devote the requisite human and material resources;
• To provide advanced educational opportunities, beyond the baccalaureate, for professionals and others who are not seeking a graduate degree, or who already have a graduate degree, but who need to develop new knowledge and skills to meet changing conditions, or to continue to keep current with advancing knowledge in their specialties;
• To enhance the academic environment of the University by attracting qualified students to the campus, by giving faculty the opportunity to teach their specialties at an advanced level, and by fostering research and creative activity among graduate students and faculty;
• To assure that the graduate student’s experience in Fairmont State's programs is a coherent experience of intellectual growth, enabling each student to meet reasonable academic, intellectual, and professional goals.