Eastern Michigan University (EMU) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Regarded as one of the Midwest’s best universities, Eastern Michigan University (EMU) offers an excellent academic experience and great value. The main campus is located in Ypsilanti, less than an hour outside the Motor City. It was originally established as Michigan State Normal School in 1849. Since then it has undergone several name changes, such as Michigan State Normal College in 1899; Eastern Michigan College in 1956; and finally receiving its current name of Eastern Michigan University in 1959.

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Information Summary

Ranks 27th in Michigan and 906th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	81.6
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$26,196
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	23 / 1170
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	17 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	72% / 30%
Enrollment Total (all students)	19,123

Academics

Eastern Michigan is governed by an eight-member Board of Regents, who are selected by the governor of Michigan for a period of eight years. It belongs to the Mid-American Conference and is accredited by the North Central Association of College and Schools.

Each year, the university enrolls more than 17,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students pursuing various degrees and programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, and doctoral levels. Undergraduate students have a choice of more than 200 majors and minors, whereas graduate students can choose from over 170 programs.

The university property includes an academic and athletic campus that covers nearly 800 acres with over 120 buildings. The buildings include several sculptures by Corrado Parducci. Over the years, the campus has grown with the addition of new facilities such as:

Terrestrial and Aquatic Research Facility
The Convocation Center
The Bruce T. Halle Library
The John W. Porter College of Education Building
The Everett L. Marshall College of Health and Human Services Building
The Village residence hall
University House

Schools and Colleges

The university comprises eight academic divisions that impart education in diverse areas of study. The divisions are: College of Arts and Sciences; College of Business; College of Education; College of Health and Human Services; College of Technology; and Honors College.

EMU also provides education through its other sites in Brighton, Detroit, Flint, Jackson, Livonia, Monroe, Northern Michigan, and the Kresge Environmental Center.

EMU Online

Offering quality education that students can pursue at their convenience, EMU Online programs are tailored to meet the requirements of working professionals. Students can learn from almost anywhere: office, home, hotel room, or practically anywhere in the world. The classes are taught by well-qualified EMU instructors.

The EMU online program is completed entirely through Internet. Everything from registration, library access, discussions, paying student bills, to assignments and exams are accessible at the click of the mouse.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

EMU takes students on a sliding scale that is primarily based on a combination of high school grade point average, and ACT or SAT score. Transferring to the school is relatively easy, as the university welcomes qualified students from other colleges.

EMU invites students from all 50 states and over 70 foreign countries. The international students add to the diversity of the campus community. Applicants with citizenship outside the U.S. and who have attended any high school or college outside the U.S. are considered as international students.

Financial Aid

Eastern Michigan offers a wide range of financial aid to students in the form of federal grants, state grants, scholarships, and loans. Students who wish to be considered for financial aid at EMU must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Federal grants students may qualify for include the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Academic Competitiveness Grant, Pell Grant, SMART Grant, and TEACH Grant.

State grants offered to eligible students include the Tuition Incentive Program (TIP), Michigan Competitive Scholarship (MCS), Robert C. Byrd Scholarship, and KCP (King-Chavez -Parks) Future Faculty Fellowship.

Some of the private scholarships available at the university are the AAL Endowed Scholarship, Adelson-NSDAR Endowed Scholarship, Alpha Sigma Tau Endowed Scholarship, Band Endowed Scholarship, Westerman Endowed Scholarship, and Transfer Scholarship.

Loans are a form of financial aid that needs to be repaid. The different types offered to students at EMU are Federal Direct Stafford Loans, Federal Direct PLUS Loans, Direct Graduate PLUS Loans, Perkins Loans, and private loans from non-governmental organizations.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 4010th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Michigan.

Students

Student life boasts diversity and students have an enormous variety of on- and off-campus opportunities to explore. There are several student organizations and clubs such as Adventist Students for Christ (ASC), African Students Association (ASA), Campus Life Involvement Corps (IC), Muslim Student Organization, Phi Theta Kappa, Delta Sigma Phi (Delt Sig), Eagle Radio (WQBR), Game Development Club (GDC), and Honors Student Association (HSA).

EMU has an active Greek life on campus. There are several fraternities and sororities governed by the National Pan-Hellenic Council, National Panhellenic Conference, and Interfraternity Council. Some of them are: Delta Tau Delta, Iota Phi Theta, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Sigma Nu Phi, Sigma Sigma Sigma, and Zeta Phi Beta.

Media and Publications

The Eastern Echo is the university’s independent student newspaper, which is published thrice a week during the fall and winter semesters, and once a week during the spring semester.

Eastern Magazine is an online magazine that gives news updates, information regarding the University, alumni relations, student life, etc. EMU Today is the university newspaper, and e-Edge is the weekly newsletter.

WEMU 89.1 FM is Eastern Michigan’s public radio station, which started in 1965 as a 10-watt radio station. Over the years, it has evolved into a 16,000-watt and a 24-hour jazz station for southeastern Michigan.

Campus Facilities

Eastern Michigan houses more than ten on-campus residence halls, including Buell Hall, Putnam Hall, Sellers Hall, Phelps Hall, and Hoyt Tower. Thousands of students live off-campus in private rental homes or multifamily apartment communities situated close to the campus. While EMU is mainly a commuter campus, the school provides numerous co-curricular activities. Students can join the several on-campus organizations and clubs, some of which operate even during breaks.

EMU’s campus is strategically situated close to Depot Town, Ypsilanti’s historic shopping area, where students can enjoy homemade ice cream, games of pool, and live music. Washtenaw Avenue, easily accessible from the south end of the campus, houses several coffee shops and restaurants where students like to study, eat, and participate in the live performances.

EMU houses several dining and satellite operations throughout the campus. The major dining facilities on campus include the Commons (DC1), the Eateries, Crossroads Marketplace, and the Student Center. There are satellite operations known as Eagle Cafes. The Eagle Cafes can be found in Marshall, Sill, Alexander, Mckenny Hall, and the College of Business (COB). The university has several convenience stores situated across campus. These include CrossRoads Marketplace, Lobby Shop, Eagle Café, and QuickFixx.

The popular campus hangouts are Big Bob’s Lake House near the center of campus, the McKenny Lounge in McKenny Union, the Olds/Robb Recreation and Intramural Sports center, King Hall Multicultural Lounge, and the Student Center Sky Lounge. The off-campus hangouts are Depot Town, Frog Island, Riverside Park, and The Ugly Mug coffee shop.

Library

The Bruce T. Halle Library is a four-story facility on campus within a ten-minute walk from all the residence halls. The library houses study spaces, computer labs, a distance-learning classroom, the Faculty Development Center, the Holman Learning Center, the university archives, the IT Help Desk, a theater, an auditorium, a multi-media area, the carillon tower, the Paradox Cafe, and the Eagle Radio studio. It has one of the largest collections of children’s literature in the nation. The building has full wireless connectivity.

Nightlife

EMU offers a plethora of activities and events to enjoy after dark. Students can either participate or enjoy being a spectator. Campus nightlife offers fun events like Lyric Lounge, Poetry Open Mic, Friday Night Movies, Campus Bash, Laugh Lounge, Indie Lounge, Sky Lounge, Storytellers Lounge, and Snack & Study.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

Eastern Michigan has both men’s and women’s teams, which take part in a wide variety of varsity sports such as baseball, basketball, cross country, wrestling, football, golf, and swimming and diving. The teams are nicknamed the Eagles, and their colors are green and white. EMU teams have been members of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) of the NCAA since 1972. The school mascot is Swoop.

The Eagles have won three NCAA Division II national championships and over 12 NAIA Division I national championships in five different sports.

The athletic facilities at EMU include the Chippewa Club, EagleCrest Golf Course, Bowen Field House, Convocation Center, Ford Lake, Jones Natatorium, Oestrike Stadium, Indoor Practice Facility, Oestrike Stadium, Scicluna Field, Varsity Field, and Warner Gym.

Intramural Sports

Eastern Michigan offers a wide variety of recreational and intramural sports programs. Students can participate in club sports such as club bowling, club tennis, Detroit mixed martial arts, dodgeball, EMU club hockey, eagle paintball club, women’s lacrosse, roller hockey, and more.

Alumni

EMU graduates have earned success and fame in many areas of expertise. Some of the notable alumni are:

Andrew Blackbird, historian and Ottawa tribe leader
Charles Edward St. John, astronomer
Warren Defever, rock musician
Larry Warren, CEO of Howard University Hospital
Charles E. Potter, U.S. Senator from Michigan
Dann Florek, actor
Charlie Batch, National Football League (NFL) player

Eastern Michigan University