Youngstown State University

Carnegie Foundation Classification

Master's Colleges and Universities (larger programs)

General Characteristics

Highest offering	Doctoral degree
Calendar System	Semester
Years of college work required	N/A
Variable Tuition

Special Learning Opportunities

Distance Learning
ROTC — Army / Navy / Air Force	— / /
Study Abroad
Weekend College
Teacher Certification

Youngstown State University History

Youngstown State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. Its mission statement says, “Youngstown State University provides open access to high-quality education through a broad range of affordable certificate, associate, baccalaureate, and graduate programs.” It is classed as a Master’s College and University I by the Carnegie Institute.

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Youngstown State University Academics

Youngstown State University offers more than 100 undergraduate majors, as well as various certifications. The undergraduate class is characterized by academic excellence, with more than 180 current students who were valedictorians of their graduating class. There are 407 full-time professors, 83% of whom possess the terminal degree in their field. The student-to-teacher ratio is 19:1. Youngstown is made up of six undergraduate colleges including Arts & Sciences, Engineering & Technology, Business Administration, Health & Human Services, Education, and Fine & Performing Arts.

Youngstown State University has academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level. There are 7 colleges: the College of Arts & Sciences, the William Rayen College of Engineering & Technology, the Williamson College of Business administration, the Beeghly College of Education, the Bitonte College of Health & Human Services, the College of Fine & performing Arts, and the School of Graduate Studies and Research. Youngstown State is also a partner with the Northeastern Ohio College of Medicine, which allows students to be part of an accelerated medical school program.

p. Bachelor’s degrees are offered in approximately 100 fields within the various academic colleges. Degrees at the bachelor’s level can be received in such areas as accounting, allied health, astronomy/physics, civil engineering, clinical laboratory science, community health, dental hygiene, education, French, hospitality management, journalism, management, religious studies, nursing, social work, theater studies, and telecommunication studies.

p. Graduate programs are offered in 20 areas, many with specializations. These include master’s level programs in American studies, English, business administration, music, physical therapy, public health, chemistry, environmental studies, mathematics, counseling, education, chemical engineering, nursing, and social work. A doctoral degree is offered in education. There are certificate programs in 8 areas, including bioethics, literature for children and young adults, and working-class studies.

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Youngstown State University Unique Programs

The Africana Studies program is interdisciplinary and focuses on history, culture, and the society of African peoples. One purpose of the program is to examine the problems developing within the increasing diversity of our world and determine potential solutions to those problems. The program offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Africana Studies, and is also available as a minor to complement majors in history, literature, economics, education, or social sciences.

The program in Peace and Conflict Studies examines the broad history of human conflict and puts it into perspective, applying that knowledge to the current state of affairs in our world. Because peace studies involved every major discipline, students in the program are required to take a certain number of hours in history, religious studies, geography, political science, psychology, and sociology.

The Department of Human Performance and Exercise Science is intended to prepare students for careers in therapy or physical education in a variety of settings. Research is performed and integrated into the curriculum to provide students with classroom and laboratory experience, as well as the ability to link theory with practice.

Youngstown State University has an undergraduate Honors Program. Students who seek admission to the Honors Program need to be in the top 15% of their high school class and score at least a 26 on the ACT or an 1160 on the SAT. Once admitted to the Honors Program, students will be able to live in the Honors Dorm, take Honors courses, finish a senior thesis/project, and take part extracurricular activities.

p. The Metro College offers credit and non-credit courses on campus on the evenings and weekends, or on-line. It also provides learning opportunities for person over 60 and links students in health fields with agencies and organizations serving local communities.

p. Youngstown State University is also home to several specialized centers, including the Center for Islamic Studies (part of the Consortium for Educational Research on Islamic Studies), the Center for Working Class Studies, and the Center for International Studies and Programs.

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Youngstown State University Financial Aid

Youngstown State benefits from the existence of the YSU Foundation, a charitable endowment with over $125 million in assets. This means it is capable of providing more than $4 million in scholarship aid to its students. Interested students must submit a scholarship application before February 15 each year to be considered for such opportunities. This application is also a one-stop process to be considered for all other scholarship opportunities, not just the FSU Foundation’s Scholarship for Excellence. YSU offers a variety of institutional awards at varying levels, including the University Scholars program, which provides a full-cost scholarship of approximately $12,500. Other similar programs include the Trustee’s Scholarship ($3,000), the President’s Scholarship ($2,500), and the Deans’ Scholarship ($2,000).

Tuition at Youngstown State University is $2,499.96 per semester for the 2005-2006 academic year for in-state, undergraduate students attending full-time. There is an additional general fee of $552.00. Students applying from out of state and graduate students have higher costs.

p. Financial aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans. Student employment is also available. Students who seek financial aid will need to fill out the Federal Student Financial Aid Form, available on-line. The University Scholars Program awards full tuition, room, and board to 40 students per year. University Scholars live in the Honors Dorm and also receive their textbooks free.

p. Graduate students may also receive financial aid in the form of teaching or research assistantships, including a stipend and a waiver of some or all of the tuition and other fees. Graduate students should consult with their individual department about what sort of assistantships or fellowships are available and about the details of the application process.

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Youngstown State University Students

Youngstown Students have access to over 120 different student organizations, including artistic, cultural, political, and leadership-oriented groups. The SOAR (Summer Orientation Advisement and Registration) program is an entry-level experience for new students and helps them get involved with groups on campus that fit their needs and abilities. The student affairs office organizes and manages intramural sports, judicial affairs, career services, and the important Center for Student Progress, which assists students with improving their skills in all categories.

Student life at Youngstown State University includes opportunities in a diverse range of activities and organizations. There are fraternities and sororities, academic and professional groups, religious organizations, cultural organizations, political groups, and special interest groups such as the Amateur Radio Club, the Historic Preservation Club, the Gospel Choir, and the Penguin Story Tellers. Intramural sports include dodgeball, arena football, and table tennis. Students can write for the student newspaper or the literary magazine, see exhibits at the Rose Mehlnick Medical Museum, or see exhibits and performances in art, music, and theater.

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Youngstown State University Traditions

Youngstown State’s nickname, the Penguins, dates back to 1933, although there are two accounts of how the nickname came to be. The first claims that on a very cold night spectators at a basketball game witnessed the athletes stomping the floor and trying to keep warm. The name, then, was a natural fit. The second account claims that basketball team members came up with the names themselves while pushing their cars through a foot-deep snowfall on the way to a game in West Liberty. Regardless of its origin, the name hast stuck for more than 70 years.

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Youngstown State University Local Community

Youngstown State University is approximately 70 miles from both Cleveland, Ohio and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and their museums and attractions. Near-by attractions include trails and boating at Mill Creek Park, the Butler Institute of American Art, an interactive zoo in an animal sanctuary, and activities at the annual Canfield Fair. There are several local museums and venues for musical or dramatic performances.

Youngstown has a population of more than 80,000. The town was named for a settler who landed there in 1796 and was originally owned by the Connecticut Land Company. Currently, attractions include Powers Auditorium, a symphony orchestra, the Butler Institute of American Art, and the Museum of Industry and Labor. Youngstown is also home to an abundant number of nature trails and outdoor activities.

This site is not sponsored by, affiliated with, nor endorsed by Youngstown State University