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Keene State College is a public, coeducational liberal arts institution located in Keene, New Hampshire. A member of the University System of New Hampshire as well as of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges, Keene State College was founded in 1909 as a teachers college, originally known as Keene Normal School and later Keene Teachers College. Keene State College is located on a 170 acre campus just a few minutes’ walk from downtown Keene. Keene State College boasts a 100-year tradition of service and is strongly committed to giving back to the community with students contributing 17,000 hours annually in volunteer community service projects.
Academic Programs
Keene State College mission is to prepare “promising students to think critically and creatively, to engage in active citizenship, and to pursue meaningful work.” The College’s mission statement continues, “As the public liberal arts college of New Hampshire, we offer an enriching campus community and achieve academic excellence through the integration of teaching, learning, scholarship, and service.” Keen State College is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and has been so since 1949.Keene State College offers more than 40 areas of undergraduate study as well as graduate programs in the areas of Education (M.Ed. and certification programs and Safety & Occupational Health Applied Sciences (M.S.). Students enjoy small classes and can choose from a variety of programs including the areas of American Studies, Anthropology, Architecture, Art, Athletic Training, Biology, Chemistry, Communication and Philosophy, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Economics, Education, English, Environmental Studies, Film Studies, French, Geography, Geology, German, Health Science, Holocaust and Genocide Studies, History, Information Studies, Journalism, Management, Mathematics, Modern Languages, Music, Nursing, Physical Education & Athletic Training, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Safety & Occupational Health Applied Sciences, Sociology, Spanish, Sustainable Product Design & Innovation, Theatre and Dance, and Women’s and Gender Studies.
Student Life
Keene State College has a total enrollment figure of nearly 4,500, including more than 4,000 undergraduate students. All full-time freshmen and sophomore students are required to live on campus in one of the College’s residence halls which are available in suite-style arrangements and living/learning communities and are staffed by a Residential Life staff.More than 100 student-run organizations are recognized on Keen State College’s campus, catering to a wide range of academic and personal interests. The College also hosts a wide variety of events including films, concerts, theater, sports, lectures, networking events, art exhibits, fairs, political rallies, conferences and more with many events that are free and open to the public. Sports also play a significant role in the life of a student and as an NCAA Division III school, Keene State College fields a number of varsity sports teams, nicknamed the Owls, which compete in the Little East Conference.