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A four-year public university with campuses in Big Rapids and Grand Rapids and satellite locations across the state, Ferris State University offers more than 150 educational programs and degrees ranging from associate to doctorate. Ferris is organized into nine academic colleges: Allied Health Sciences, Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Human Services, Michigan College of Optometry, Pharmacy, University College, Kendall College of Art and Design and the College of Professional and Technological Studies.

Founded in 1884, the University’s mission is to be a national leader in career-oriented technical and professional education. Ferris is named for its founder, Woodbridge N. Ferris (1853-1928), a distinguished Michigan statesman and educator who served two terms as the state’s governor and was elected to the United States Senate. The 770-acre main campus is located in Big Rapids, a city of approximately 12,000. The campus contains more than 90 buildings and is home to more than 200 student organizations. With enrollment of nearly 11,000, Ferris maintains a student/faculty ratio of 16-to-1 by employing more than 450 full-time faculty members.

Ferris State University maintains a strong emphasis programs in highly skilled and fast-growing occupations. The College of Allied Health offers programs in eight of the top 20 fastest-growing career fields and is one of the largest in the nation. In the College of Businessm Professional Golf Management and Professional Tennis Management offer students great opportunities in career fields facing employee shortages, while the Information Systems Management program has earned an international reputation for excellence. The College of Education and Human Services offers a variety of degrees that stretch from elementary education or criminal justice to recreational leadership and management or television production. Ferris also offers doctoral degrees in the fields of optometry and pharmacy.

Located in downtown Grand Rapids, the Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University offers a variety of degrees ranging from furniture design to illustration and fine arts, while the College of Technological and Professional Studies caters to non-traditional students and working adults with the flexible learning opportunities they need.

Given its unique commitment to career-oriented education, Ferris is the logical home for innovation and research in career development. The Ferris State University Career Institute for Education and Workforce Development is a center for research and information on career awareness, career education and workforce development. The Institute serves educators, employers, workers, students and parents by:

• researching and communicating issues related to career decision-making, workforce development and quality of work life
• encouraging educational programs that improve career education in schools and career decision-making abilities all potential employees
• working with employers to engage families in conversations about career opportunities and to better market careers
• assisting schools and other youth-focused organizations in recognizing their role in assisting with decisions about careers and education
• assisting in policy development on local, regional and national levels.

For more information on Ferris State University, visit us at www.ferris.edu.

For international admissions information, e-mail international@ferris.edu or visit http://www.ferris.edu/htmls/administration/academicaffairs/int'l/