Coppin State University has come a long way from its founding as Fanny Coppin Normal School in 1900 at the Colored Hugh School to its present bright and progressive campus in Baltimore, Maryland. In the beginning, the school offered only a one-year nurses training for African-American nurses. The next year that training stretched to two years and, in 1950, Coppin State joined the University System of Maryland. Today nearly 4,000 students pursue one of 53 undergraduate degrees or nine graduate programs. More than 60 percent of classes have fewer than 20 students, which is good for interaction with peers and the instructors. The school is a member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, which opens up opportunities for its students, and it boasts a state-of-the-art technology department. It has a robust study-abroad program in more than thirteen countries, too. Coppin is dedicated to helping young black men succeed and has organized “The Coppin Man,” which is weekly meetings of Coppin male students, faculty and guests to boost retention of men at Coppin and to emphasize the goals of building strength, resilience, respect, discipline and scholarship. If that resonates with you, Coppin may be the ideal place to earn your degree.
Coppin State University Accreditation Details
Coppin State University is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Some of the colleges have separate accreditation, as well. The Teacher’s Education Program is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. The Nursing Program is accredited by the National League of Nursing and Approved by the Maryland State Board of Examiners of Nurses. The Social Work Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and the Program of Rehabilitation Counseling is accredited by the Council for Rehabilitation Counseling Education.
Coppin State University Application Requirements
All students applying to Coppin State University must complete the online application form and submit it, along with required documents and a $50 application fee, to the school. Freshmen will need to submit their official high school transcripts along with transcripts from any college courses they have taken. ACT or SAT official scores should be sent by the testing organization to the school, as well. Students must have successfully completed a series of minimum requirements in math, English, lab sciences, social sciences and foreign language. High school students in the early admittance program must finish their sophomore year and complete the same admissions process, however they need two letters of reference from their counselor or principal and a permission form from their parents. In addition to the regular admissions process, veterans must submit a DD form proving military service to both the school and the Veterans Administration. Requirements for Mature Adults are the same as for traditional students as well, but they do not need to submit ACT or SAT scores.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition for undergraduate resident students is $2,141 per semester plus fees, for a total of $3,673. Non-resident students pay $4,909 plus fees, for a total of $6,435. Part-time students pay $184 per credit hour if they are Maryland residents and $543 if they live out of state. Resident graduate tuition is $307 per credit hour and non-resident cost is $563. In addition to tuition, you must budget for housing and meals as well as books and other fees. The total for all expenses will be in excess of $10,000 per year for resident full-time undergraduate students.
Most students need help to pay for their education. The first thing you must do is complete a FAFSA form. Once your financial need is determined, and you know the amount of federal help you will receive, it is time to begin applying for other grants and scholarships. Generally the earlier you can submit the FAFSA form, the sooner you can begin the process. This is important because many scholarships are competitive, and some grants disperse funds on a first-come-first-served basis. The government grants you might recognize are the Pell Grant and the Supplemental Opportunity Education Grant, but there are others, too. The government loans money, as well, and the most familiar type is the Stafford Loan which has a five percent interest rate and a nine-month grace period after graduation before you must begin repayment. There are also loans made especially to parents. With any loan you will sign a promissory note that guarantees repayment.
Coppin University has several scholarships available. Of course, the most noted is the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship, but there are also scholarships awarded by the alumni association. Other opportunities are awarded by: athletic programs, honors programs, the India Continental, the Maxie Collier Program, Merit awards, nursing programs and some funded by private donations for people studying certain disciplines. The ROTC and STEM offer financial scholarships, and the armed services subsidize educations for veterans.
Student Experience
There are things to do around the Baltimore area, but students say there is a lack of social opportunities at the university. At Coppin State University there are 32 clubs and organizations for students to explore. The school plans many social opportunities through its student activity board, as well. Coppin brings in well-known artists for concerts and comedy and arranges lectures by world-renowned speakers. Of course, there are resident hall activities and study dates, but the student physical education complex also has fitness programs and exercise machines where you can train for the many recreational sports available at the school.
The fitness center might also be a great place to put some classroom training into effect if you are majoring in Sports Management. This degree will prepare you to work in the public or the private sector managing or owning a sports facility, in broadcasting and even sports equipment sales. The 120 credit-hour program includes 40 required general education hours plus business and other courses such as Sports Governance and History, Facility and Equipment/Event Management and Ethics and Law. You can specialize your degree with the electives, too. The degree contains practicum and internship opportunities, and these opportunities are within the professional sports community.
In addition to academics, there are nine “Greek” houses on campus too, with all of their activities. The school sponsors a “Welcome Week” where you can get to know the university and make new friends, and homecoming festivities. One of the advantages of a small school like Coppin is the approachability of faculty and the interaction that occurs in and out of the classroom. If a small school seems right for you, and you are serious about making the most of opportunities afforded to you, Coppin State University might be worth a second look.
