Dr. Karim Ismaili
Dean

Website: www.bridgew.edu/cogs

The College of Graduate Studies is responsible for the administration of all graduate courses and programs.

The College of Graduate Studies at Bridgewater State University provides leadership, coordination and support for all academic departments engaged in graduate instruction. The graduate dean, the graduate faculty and the Graduate Education Council are responsible for the maintenance of appropriate standards for graduate degrees and certificates.

The primary objective of Bridgewater State University’s graduate programs is to increase to an advanced level each graduate student’s understanding of and competence in a designated field of study. By extending the student’s area of knowledge, research skills and creative talents, the graduate programs of the university aim to increase the individual’s ability to pursue and contribute to a satisfying career.

The College of Graduate Studies is located in the Maxwell Library, ground floor, Park Avenue entrance. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm. Contact the College of Graduate Studies for evening hours at 508.531.1100 or email at graduatestudies@bridgew.edu.

Persons interested in pursuing a master’s degree, certificate of advanced graduate study (CAGS), postbaccalaureate licensure program or a graduate certificate program on either a full- or part-time basis should request appropriate application materials from the Graduate Admission office at 508.531.1300. Students are responsible for being aware of the general policies, procedures and requirements for graduate courses and programs outlined in the following pages prior to enrolling in courses carrying graduate credit.

For additional information relative to a specific graduate program, students should contact the appropriate department graduate program coordinator listed at www.bridgew.edu/COGS.

The Office of Off-Campus Programs in the College of Graduate Studies collaborates with the university’s academic colleges to provide quality graduate education at convenient locations across the state. The office is committed to serving Massachusetts communities by offering courses and full-degree programs off-campus.

With the ever-changing needs of graduate students across the New England area, the Office of Off-Campus Programs offers a variety of courses and degree programs for the fall and spring semesters and summer sessions. Both prospective and current graduate students are encouraged to visit the Off-Campus Programs website for the most up-to-date course listings and locations. Please visit www.bridgew.edu/cogs/ocp.

To register for a course being held at an off-campus location, students may download course registration forms at www.bridgew.edu/cogs/ocp and fax the completed form to the Office of Off-Campus Programs at 508.531.6162. Students may also contact the office at 508.531.6010 or by email at offcampus@bridgew.edu.

The College of Graduate Studies offers many opportunities to develop academic and professional experiences and support graduate education.

Conference Funding Travel Award

Sponsored by the College of Graduate Studies, the Conference Funding Travel Award funds graduate students who want to present their research at professional academic conferences. The College recognizes the importance of graduate students attending such conferences as they grow and develop as strong academics. Professional conferences provide graduate students with the opportunity to showcase their research as well as to interact with scholars and fellow graduate students in their specialized field, thereby, enhancing and enriching graduate learning experiences. At the same time, presenting a scholarly paper at an academic conference can be an important part of the application process to doctoral programs. For more information and to apply for a funding award, please click on the College of Graduate Studies website site www.bridgew.edu/cogs.

Graduate Scholarships

The College of Graduate Studies welcomes and encourages all eligible degree-seeking graduate students to apply for scholarships. These scholarships are awarded to help benefit the education of deserving graduate students and alums. They assist in defraying research and /or conference travel expenses and assist students with financial need. Applications are posted on the College of Graduate Studies website at www.bridgew.edu/cogs.

Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships

Graduate assistantships and fellowships which are not offered at the undergraduate level, are available to degree-seeking graduate students at larger graduate schools across America. The College of Graduate Studies at Bridgewater State University has consistently expanded its assistantship and fellowship programs for graduate students over the past decade. These programs enable graduate students to attend graduate school without almost any cost for tuition and fees while receiving a bi-weekly stipend for working in an academic or administrative department in the University. Graduate students are often surprised that graduate assistantships have so many financial and professional advantages for them. In other words, a graduate assistantship will enable a student to finance his or her graduate education almost completely. While many universities have reduced the number of graduate assistantships that they offer beginning master’s students, Bridgewater has continued to increase these programs. 

The College of Graduate Studies offers the following assistantship programs:

1. Graduate Assistantships
2. Graduate Research Assistantships
3. Graduate Writing Fellowships

Information about these three types of assistantship/fellowship programs can be found in the Graduate Student Assistantship/Fellowship Handbook at www.bridgew.edu/cogs. The information in the handbook will guide you through this process and the selection criteria.

Appointments are competitive and are determined by the following: undergraduate and/or graduate grade point averages, pertinent experience, educational preparation and interviews. They are intended to encourage and assist superior students in pursuing graduate study and in completing the requirements for graduate degrees in the minimum time possible.

Graduate Professional Student Association

Graduate students are automatically a member of the Graduate Professional Student Association. The association welcomes all graduate students and encourages them to participate in sharing ideas to improve their educational experience at Bridgewater State University. It serves to provide assistance to graduate students’ needs and concerns, promotes professional student status and achievements, develops productive working relationships, and provides opportunities that facilitate academic and professional development. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies website at www.bridgew.edu/cogs.

Graduate Orientation

The graduate orientation program is an opportunity for students to interact and socialize with other graduate students, faculty and staff. Students will learn about Bridgewater State University, the College of Graduate Studies, and university resources that are vital to their success as a graduate student.  Students will have the chance to network with peers and meet one-on-one with available student services including: the Campus Bookstore, Career Services, Connect Card, Commuter Services, Counseling Center, Financial Aid, Health Services, Information Technology, Library, Parking, Student Accounts and more.

Graduate Student Research and Symposium

Graduate students from Bridgewater State University are encouraged to submit proposals for the Graduate Student Research Symposium. Sponsored by the College of Graduate Studies, the Research Symposium is an opportunity for graduate students in all fields to showcase their work and to discuss their findings with other interested scholars. While students are encouraged to present their papers individually or in panels, a poster session is devoted to a more casual “walk-around” presentation style. Proposals for individual papers, panels or posters drawn from pure or applied research in all fields of graduate study are welcome. Relevant creative work, supported by graduate research, is also welcome. The Graduate Research Symposium is held late in the spring semester.

Honors Week-Graduate Scholarship Awards Ceremony

Honors Week is a university-wide recognition program acknowledging students who are recipients of BSU scholarship awards given by the university’s foundation, alumni association and academic departments. Recipients of graduate scholarship awards are recognized at this ceremony.

Graduate Commencement

The commencement ceremony for CAGS and master’s degree students is held in May. The ceremony offers students the chance to celebrate their accomplishments with family, relatives and friends. A reception follows the ceremony.