Framingham State College is a public college offering liberal arts and science programs. It is located in Framingham, Massachusetts.

In addition to its original mission of training teachers, the college offers numerous career-oriented degree programs in arts and sciences, as well as traditional liberal arts tracks. It is very famous for being the college of Christa McAuliffe, whom was planned to be the first teacher in space. There is a center at the college dedicated to her.

History

As the first secretary of the newly created Board of Education in Massachusetts, Horace Mann instituted sweeping school reforms. A centerpiece of these changes was the creation of the experimental Normal School in Lexington. Opening its doors in 1839, this was the first normal (teacher training) school in the United States. A companion was opened the next year in Bridgewater. Growth forced the Normal School's relocation to Newton in 1843, followed a decade later by a move to the present site on Bare Hill in Framingham.

In 1922, the Framingham Normal School granted its first Bachelor of Science in Education degrees in conjunction with a four-year study program. Ten years afterward, with degreed teachers becoming the norm, the Normal Schools were renamed State Teachers Colleges. This was changed again in 1960 to the State College at Framingham when Bachelor of Arts degrees were added. At present, Master of Education, Art and Science degrees are granted as well.

External links

150th Anniversary pages - includes a history of the college, information on past presidents, photos.