Salem State University Reviews

"The faculty here are initially helpful to students and appear to want the best for the student. However, they will play favorites and treat some students better than others. When you get into the upper-level courses of the program the faculty are no longer helpful. They are hesitant in answering emails or questions students may have and they are not required to post grades in the upper-level classes. I had a very poor experience in one of my courses where the Professor posted feedback and grades late on paper, leaving students hanging. I did end up failing the course and being dismissed from the program because of poor feedback on assignments and not receiving help when I requested it. If they attempt to put you on a behavior plan please do not return to the program as they use this as a way to dismiss students. Choose another OT program that allows you to perform to your best capacity, this program is unfortunately not designed this way."

"I attended Salem State College (now Salem State University) more than 20 years ago, so I'm not sure if my comments are still relevant. I enjoyed my studies there. I thought the courses were challenging and the professors were knowledgeable. We often had many students from some of the more well-known universities in Boston retake classes there, to improve their GPA. More than once I was told that they thought attaining an "A" at Salem State would be easy. Many were surprised at the depth and difficulty of courses. I was a commuter student, which was probably the worst part of going to school at Salem State. If you do not live in Salem, you have to battle the traffic getting into Salem, which was terrible. It would take me 45 minutes to drive 5 miles. Parking was very competitive as well. (Remember this was in the 90s so I am unaware of any new parking garage or new highway. :)"

"it is becoming less and less worth the cost"

"Salem State University offers a very diverse and welcoming campus. I have always felt comfortable and able to approach almost all students and staff on campus to discuss cirriculum as well as situations on campus. Most buildings and classrooms are newly renovated and provide an awesome learning environment."

"The MSW program is a great bargain, about 2/3 less than the cost of private schools when I attended. Like any college the curriculum is left-leaning. Professors are accessible and knowledgeable."

"Great, responsive, supportive staff in the School of Social Work. Continued support and professional development opportunities through the Friends of the School of Social Work."

"Welcome to the city of Salem, Massachusetts. A place where the unknown and rich dark history come together. What I mean by the unknown is Salem State University (SSU). When I first started at Salem State University I did not know what I was going to expect. They are known for the history department and that was my major, but I didn't fully understand how good it was until I experienced it. The professors were top of the line and very passionate about their field. Whenever I walked into the history department I would see a group of enthusiastic students talking about history in the lounge right outside the office. I would stop and join them for a conversation about a historical topic or stories from one of the professors classes. This department was welcoming and willing to help their students succeed to the best of their ability. The University as a whole was like this. From my first day on campus all the faculty, staff and students were very accepting and cared about each other. I lived in the residence halls as a resident and resident assistant. The quality of the resident halls is fantastic. Since 2010, SSU has built 3 new residence halls to accommodate to the growing need of students wanting to live on campus. I recommend living on campus because students can walk, ride a bike, take public transportation or drive to the historic downtown Salem where there are lots of activities to do and shops to check out. Especially around Halloween when all Salem's history comes out of the woods. Students are not just close to Salem, but to Boston. There are many ways to get to Boston from Salem. You can take a ferry, train, subway, bus or drive. It is 45 minutes north of Boston, which provides Salem State students more to during down time, but also opportunity. There are plenty of jobs and internships available between these two cities. During my time at Salem State University I was able to grow as a person. I learned a lot academically and personally. A lasting effect was left upon me for years to come. I learned from my past, just like the citizens of Salem have done for hundreds of years after the infamous Witch Trials. Both SSU and the city itself is very diverse and open to different types of people. There are restaurants, bars and clubs that fit all personality. Back in the 1700's, Salem was known for its diverse selection of goods from different parts of the world. Today, Salem is known for its diverse personalities from all the United States and the world. I sincerely hope you consider Salem State University to attend one of its many offered degree tracks."

"Salem State has been the backbone of my career. They were flexible with scheduling. Their professors are also very accessible and make the rigor of the course work attainable and meaningful. Since in the teaching field we need to student teach, Salem State has a lab school which accommodates the need to find a placement."

"The school is not run well, the programs do not have specific requirements and are constantly changing."

"Great education overall, but could benefit from a concentration in macro social work."

"I have just completed my first year of graduate studies towards a master's degree in Social Work at Salem State University. I feel like I have already gained much from the coursework and my instructors. I feel faculty and staff are very responsive and helpful. The one negative component has been the location of the School of Social Work. Currently the School resides in one of the oldest building on campus in a satellite area that is hard to reach in traffic However starting next semester, the School will be moving to brand new building in a more accessible location."

"The faculty and staff in the education department at Salem are extremely helpful and there to support you in your education. In my experience they have all been there for support in classwork and my career pursuit. The new additions to campus including a beautiful library and fitness center have truly enhanced the campus. Workload is expected for a graduate program but as mentioned the professors are there to help. On the downside there is a limited social and student life as Salem as most are working professionals within the field. Also the summer shorter sessions and week long incentive classes are TONS of work and would be much better to take during a full semester. Overall a program with a wonderful reputation within the field of education. You really can't beat the price for a masters."

"The MAT Spanish program can be challenging and time fun at the same, either if you are a native speaker or not. Even though I also work teaching in a middle school and get out of campus late, I feel accomplished, I know I have learned and I am more relaxed and confident, which ignites my desire to keep teaching. In a way, this program has taken me beyond I thought because I am even learning linguistics which has helped me improve my mother tongue, as well as English and it is also creating the perfect foundation for me to pursue my goal of learning French."

"The pros of the school would definitely be location, types of classes offered, and flexible scheduling. The cons would be some the lack of communication between the head advisor of the program and the students. The relationship is there but I feel that they need more knowledge of what the field is like, especially after graduation plans. I would like also like a more unified student body. I understand that everyone works, has families, and lead their own lives. But, it doesn't seem like a strong cohesive student body."

"Pros: Excellent faculty, reputable program, fairly inexpensive, good quality. Cons: Commuter campus, parking is terrible"

"SSU's MSW program seems to be in a transitional phase where it's greatness and competitiveness is increasing but is not quite "there" yet. There are certainly administrative improvements that could be made. However, for the price and quality of professors, the program cannot be beat!"

"The graduate school of social work is a challenging program. Prepare to take a vow of poverty if you are entering into the full time two year program. Faculty is exceptional and the value is unmatched. If you are looking to pursue a career as a social worker than look no further than Salem State University."

"My instructors are talented and are excellent educators.The big con is the lack of financial aid or support to navigate different resources that can help fund education."

"So far in my experience, the people at Salem State work hard to make sure that graduate school is the best possible experience. I am continuing my education right after finishing my BA, and was given many recommendations about Salem from co-workers."

"My program was affordable allowing me to graduate with no additional student debt. I worked my way through school including picking up two graduate assistantships, and so I was able to work and become more connected to the faculty at the school. The faculty in the English department, sans one or two duds, is generally great, helpful and wants to work with students. SSU has regional prestige in Education and is affordable, so you can meet those professional certification requirements."