Boise State University Information

BSU was originally founded as Boise Junior College in 1932 and was sponsored by the Episcopal Church. Regional accreditation was approved in 1941 and four-year status was approved in 1965. Boise Junior College officially entered the state system of higher education in 1969 as Boise State College and adopted its current name in 1974.

The University now awards associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. It is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Boise State University defines its goal as “to foster an intellectual atmosphere that produces educated, literate people—people knowledgeable of public affairs, committed to lifelong learning, and capable of creative problem-solving.”

Branch campus sites are located in Canyon County Center, Gowen Field, Mountain Home, and Twin Falls. Courses are offered in these campuses through the vision of extended studies, which also runs summer programs, noncredit programs, distance education, and other programs.
Boise State University Academics

Boise State includes nine Colleges and Divisions that offer 190 different fields of study, as well as research and internship opportunities. In addition to the colleges of Applied Technology (Selland College), Arts & Sciences, Business & Economics, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, and Social Sciences & Public Affairs; Boise State is home to a Division of Extended Studies that provides opportunities for distance learning, professional development, weekend classes, summer classes, and international programs.

Bachelor’s degrees are awarded in a number of different disciplines in all colleges (except the Graduate College). Some of the fields of study represented include the arts and sciences, wildlife management, theatre arts, visual arts, exercise, science, education, engineering, radiology, nursing, communication, political science, manufacturing systems technology, semiconductor technology, and wildland fire management. Certificates and associate degrees are offered in many of the technology programs and in other fields such as legal assistance. The University offers interdisciplinary minors in addiction studies, Canadian studies, and gender studies, and a certificate in dispute resolution. A minor to become a legal assistant is also available.

Master’s degrees are awarded in 46 fields. These include various degrees in education, music, engineering, creative writing, and in raptor biology. An MFA in visual art and an MSW in social work are also available. The business school offers an MBA. Graduate certificate programs are also available in addiction studies, geospatial information analysis, health services leadership, technology integration, online technology, school technology coordination, and technical communication.

The school awards two doctoral degrees, an Ed.D in education curriculum and instruction, and a Ph.D. in geophysics.
Unique Programs

Sixteen special research, service, and development centers are located at Boise State. These include such diverse areas of interest as Economic Education, Idaho History, Conflict Management, and Raptor Research. While the centers provide classes and specializations that might be of interest to undergraduates, they are primarily focused on research and informing the public about their particular areas of focus.

Boise State’s colleges and divisions offer several unique interdisciplinary minors. These areas of study combine the curriculum of two or more fields to give students specialized areas of expertise. They are Addiction Studies, Canadian Studies, Dispute Resolution, Legal Assistance, and Gender Studies.
Financial Aid

Boise State requires that students who receive or are eligible to receive financial aid make satisfactory academic progress, file their FAFSA on time, demonstrate financial need, provide proof of a high school diploma or GED, not be default on prior loans, and register with Selective Service. Aid programs include grants, government loans (including the PLUS loan), alternative loans that may be provided through a private service, scholarships, and work-study programs located on campus.

In-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students were $3520 in 2004-2005. Students applying from out of state and graduate students will have different costs.

Financial aid is available with a combination of grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs.
Boise State University Students

In addition to the numerous classroom, dormitory, athletic, and administration buildings, Boise State University has a center for the performing arts with a ten-story stage, 732 mezzanine seats and 1268 Orchestra level seats.

The Boise State University Library offers electronic catalogs and on-line databases, in additional to physical volumes stored on site. Special collections include rare books, manuscripts, photographs, and other materials related to Idaho and the American West, a map library, and federal, state and local government materials.

Boise State is home to 18,500 making it the largest university in the State of Idaho. The campus is home to 170 student organizations and includes new residence halls and the $12 million Student Recreation Center. Students have the opportunity to get involved in a number of organizations, including service-learning, the campus radio station, and various Greek organizations. The Arbiter is the campus’ student-run newspaper and publishes submissions from student writers and editors.

The Student Recreation Center includes a gymnasium with three full-size basketball courts, four racquetball courts, a student lounge, massage therapy facilities, a climbing gym, a free weight area, and a group exercise room.
Boise State University Traditions

Few trademarks are as recognizable or as proudly demonstrated as the blue astro turf of Bronco Stadium. Every televised game and following highlight makes the stadium undeniably recognizable to every Bronco fan across the country.
Local Community

Boise is rightly called the City of Trees for its urban parks and outstanding outdoor life. A river flows through the city, providing 25 miles of riverfront green space to play and relax in. Other outdoor attractions include the Morrison-Knudsen Nature Center and the World Center for Birds of Prey. There are a good deal of cultural attractions in Boise, including the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial and the Idaho Black History Museum. City facilities accommodating athletes looking to play golf, tennis, or just take a swim.

The city of Boise is the capital of the Idaho, and Idaho’s largest city. Some of the arts and cultural programs available in the area include ballet, theatre, visual arts, museums of history, the World Center for Birds of Prey, and outdoor recreational parks and facilities, including Bogus Basin Ski Resort.

Read more: Boise State University Information, Academics, History, Financial Aid, Alumni, Academics, Campus, and Students http://boise.stateuniversity.com.