Located in Pittsburg, Kansas, a midwestern U.S. state, Pittsburg State University is situated in a vibrant and welcoming community of 20,000 people, featuring a variety of housing options, public transportation, community fairs and festivals, as well as local restaurants and businesses that embrace international students and cultural diversity. Pittsburg actively supports the Pitt State Gorillas (PSU is home to the only Gorilla mascot in the country), so students feel at home no matter where they are in the city.
Programs are spread over four main academic colleges which are: the College of Arts and Sciences the Kelce College of Business the College of Education and the College of Technology. There is also the Honors College for high-achieving students, and the Graduate School and Continuing Studies.
PSU is home to around 6,800 students with over 300 international students from more than 42 countries. The international student graduation rate is almost 100 per cent. The university boasts excellent job placement rates and high average starting salaries.
Students receive a personalized education at PSU. The average undergraduate class has 17 students and is taught by faculty who are experts in their field. Classes are practical and collaborative, where students learn how to develop the professional and personal skills needed for success after graduation.
Students will find plenty of support at PSU to help them, whether it's applying to the university, during their time studying in the U.S., or after they graduate. The Office of International Programs and Services, Student Success Center, and Careers Services work to make the university environment a positive one for international students.
One of many examples of this is the International Food and Culture Fair put on by the International Student Association (ISA). The ISA is a group which works to bring international students together, celebrate different cultures and strengthen relationships between international and domestic students at PSU. The most recent Food and Culture Fair welcomed nearly 500 community members to experience the world and engage with students. Held annually, it is one of the main international events at the university. It has been running for over 25 years and is an excellent chance for international students to share their cultures with the university community.
The faculty is made up of many esteemed scholar-practitioners, who know how to apply their teaching methods to real-world issues. They work alongside schools, community services, government and national and international partners to create the best educational content for their students. Pittsburg State prioritizes a student focused approach, with an undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 17:1, and in the graduate school, a ratio of 19:1.
PSU provides many opportunities for students to enhance their academic and social experiences, providing opportunities for students to practice their skills for industry and life.
College of Arts and Sciences – covering a broad range of subjects including art, biology, women and gender studies, communication, and languages
Kelce College of Business – providing AACSB accredited programs in accounting, business economics, computer information systems, finance, international business, management, and marketing.
College of Education – which is divided into three departments: health, human performance, and recreation psychology and counselling and teaching and leadership.
College of Technology – With departments and programs teaching automotive technology engineering technology graphics and imaging technologies construction and technology and workforce learning.
The Honors College is an option for selected high achievers, where an enhanced education is provided.
The Graduate School teaches a number of graduate programs, which rank highly across the U.S. Students can pick from master's degrees, EdS degrees, and certificate programs. Some programs are offered online or as a hybrid. PSU offers high-demand emphases for graduate degrees, including IT, automotive, human resources, construction, electronics, engineering technology, and more.
Most undergraduate programs at PSU have an English language requirement of an overall IELTS score of at least 6.0 or equivalent. Those who are applying for the communication, psychology, ESOL or nursing programs will need higher scores.
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Pitt State students have access to top-class facilities throughout campus including Heckert-Wells Hall, home to the Department of Biology. PSU is also home to historical McCray Hall, which consists of a recital hall and Fisk Opus 106 organ for music and a Student Recreation Center which hosts competitive intramural sports. Other facilities include:
The Gorilla Scholarship offers students the chance to experience studying abroad, get support in gaining professional development for career advancement and find opportunities to improve English their language skills.
The scholarship is renewable for up to four years, and available to any new international students including freshmen, transfer applicants and graduates applying to study at PSU. Students can begin scholarship applications and will be awarded up to the maximum based on:
Grade point average Scholarly activities Professional experience OEFL/IELTS/PTE English proficiency score GRE/GMAT scores NeedScholarship opportunity eligibility options can be viewed on the application page of the university website.