Franklin & Marshall College

franklin-marshall-college

Four F&M Degrees for Studying the Brain and Behavior

Franklin & Marshall College appears in our ranking of the 50 Great Small Colleges for a Bachelor’s in Psychology

At Barshinger Hall, the Psychology Major (B.A.) follows a 32-unit, four-year path led by Dr. Krista Casler for Franklin & Marshall College Diplomats to examine the human condition while conducting Perception Lab research, joining Psi Chi, and studying abroad from Denmark to Australia.

Chaired by Dr. Meredith Bashaw, the Animal Behavior Studies Major (B.A.) explores non-human species through 32 required courses like Behavioral Ecology and Vertebrate Anatomy plus the 10-week summer Hackman Research Scholars program.

Since 1996, the Neuroscience Major (B.A.) has built a 32-unit, top-ranked plan advised by Dr. Daniel Ardia where future brain scientists can perform DAX Center projects, attend Society for Neuroscience events, earn Huffnagle Field Study Scholarships, and declare Honors.

The Cognitive Science Major (B.A.) also tailors a 32-course, MSCHE-accredited curriculum overseen by Dr. Bennett Helm with opportunities to take courses like Artificial Intelligence, join Active Minds, and intern with Merck.

About Franklin & Marshall College

Franklin & Marshall College originated on June 6, 1787, when Founding Father Benjamin Franklin donated £200 to Lutheran ministers who turned a closed brewery into Franklin College. The next month, the United States’ first bilingual college welcomed an inaugural coed class of 114 into English and German courses. In 1807, it merged with Franklin Academy in hopes of maintaining sufficient finances. In 1836, the German Reformed Church started a Mercersburg institution called Marshall College after the Chief Supreme Court Justice died. By 1841, Marshall professor Frederick Augustus Rauch had published the nation’s first psychology textbook. On June 7, 1853, the two colleges merged into one to create the all-male Franklin & Marshall College. That year, President James Buchanan joined F&M’s new Board of Trustees. In 1969, Franklin & Marshall finally became coeducational to admit women again. In 2000, Howard and Matthew Greene notably included F&M among their 50 “Hidden Ivies.”

Endowed for $386.6 million, Franklin & Marshall College now employs 175 faculty teaching 2,426 Diplomats from 47 states and 47 countries each 15-week term at its 220-acre Lancaster campus in South Central Pennsylvania with 100+ clubs like the Black Pyramid Senior Honor Society. In 2015, F&M earned the Kappa Delta Gladys Pugh Redd Panhellenic Award. In 2017, Franklin & Marshall accepted a CASE District II Circle of Excellence Award. Franklin & Marshall College won the 2013 AIA Philadelphia Chapter Merit Award for Master Planning too. The U.S. News & World Report ranked Franklin & Marshall 38th for liberal arts programs and 60th for undergrad teaching. On Niche, F&M boasts America’s 118th best psychology courses and 91st hardest admissions. Forbes crowned F&M the 87th top private school and 128th best value. The Wall Street Journal placed Franklin & Marshall College 91st overall. The Institute of International Education named F&M the 13th best school for studying abroad.

Featured Programs

Franklin & Marshall College Accreditation Details

On June 27, 2019, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) Board of Directors decided that Franklin & Marshall College met the 14 “Characteristics of Excellence” to retain Level II accreditation through the next 2027-28 evaluation under the 16th president, Dr. Barbara K. Altmann, who received an American Council on Education Fellowship. Located 79 miles east Via Interstate 76 in Philadelphia, this superb six-state Northeast Region accreditor is authorized by the U.S. Education Department to review Franklin & Marshall’s 63 areas of study.

Franklin & Marshall College Application Requirements

Admission to Franklin & Marshall College is classified as “very selective” by Peterson’s because just 2,292 of the 6,720 Fall 2018 applicants were chosen for 34 percent acceptance. First-year Diplomats seeking the Psychology Major (B.A.) or similar degrees must be culminating a rigorous secondary curriculum with 16+ academic units. Only the F&M College Prep program accepts high school seniors with minimum GPAs of 3.3. The Class of 2022 reported an average cumulative GPA of 3.81. The middle 50th percentile had ACT scores of 28-32. Mid-range admitted SAT scores were 680-720 for Math and 660-700 for Reading. Franklin & Marshall is test-flexible for entrance without scores though. About 15-20 undergrad transfers are admitted annually with previous courses graded C or better. Transfers must complete at least 16 course credits in residence for the Bachelor of Arts. Non-U.S. residents who haven’t been studying in English classrooms for 3+ years must achieve a minimum 600 TOEFL score or equivalent.

Franklin & Marshall College has freshman deadlines of November 15th for Early Decision I or January 15th for Early Decision II and Regular Decision. Note the F&M Fee Waiver is only available until December 1st. Bachelor of Arts transfers should meet the priority dates of April 15th for Fall and November 15th for Spring enrollment. The College Prep program closes on February 22nd. Accordingly, submit the Common or Coalition Application online with the $60 non-refundable fee by credit or debit card. Have sealed transcripts mailed to P.O. Box 3003 in Lancaster, PA 17604. Forward standardized test results using SAT/TOEFL code 2261 or ACT code 3574. Attach supplemental materials, such as the Early Decision Agreement form, letter of recommendation, teacher evaluation, one-page writing sample, Mid-Year Report, and resume. Contact (877) 678-9111 or admission@fandm.edu with questions.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2019-20, Franklin & Marshall College is charging Psychology Major (B.A.) students $29,308 each semester or $58,615 annually. General deposits of $200 are required each Fall. Undergrads cover the $110 health services fee and $75 activity fee yearly. Freshmen pay the one-time $200 orientation fee. Optional health insurance premiums are $1,715. Living at the Lancaster campus’ dorms like Buchanan Hall adds $8,550 for standard or $9,275 for single rooms. Residential 225-meal plans for Ben Franklin Restaurant are $5,900 extra per year. F&M budgets $1,200 for books and $1,270 for personal expenses. Annual full-time undergrad attendance equals about $73,070 on-site or $61,426 with family. Taking part-time baccalaureate courses costs $7,325 each. Summer School tuition is discounted to $3,665 per course.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Office of Financial Aid in Administrative Building #S connects 66 percent of new full-time F&M Diplomats to tuition assistance averaging $47,304 apiece for $17.78 million combined. Endowed funds include the Paul Mueller Jr. Summer Travel Award, Richard M. Gelhard Scholarship, Tony Kreisel Scholarship, Dr. Myron Portenar Scholarship, David Lehman Scholarship, Susan Klehr Scholarship, Eric Rackow Scholarship, Larry Shadek Scholarship, Raymond A. Sanseverino Scholarship, and Sharrar Brothers Scholarship. Franklin & Marshall utilizes the Need-Based Grant to fulfill 100 percent of demonstrated unmet need for four-year Bachelor of Arts majors. Diplomats often receive competitive merit-based awards, such as the Gilman International Scholarship, Boren Scholarship, and Posse Foundation Scholarship. Federal resources like the Pell Grant and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant require FAFSA applications coded 003265. Pennsylvanians could also pursue the PHEAA State Grant, Chafee Education Grant, Pittsburgh Promise Scholarship, Horatio Alger Scholarship, Jody Loudenslager Scholarship, and more.

Continue reading about Franklin & Marshall College at the Department of Psychology website.

Related Resources: