Including its off-campus sites in New Bedford, Attleboro, and Cape Cod, BSU has the fourth-largest campus of the 29 institutions in the Massachusetts Public Higher Education System.

It opened on September 9, 1840,[5][6] making it the oldest permanently-located institution of public higher education in Massachusetts.

Since the 1960s, the school has expanded its program to include liberal arts, business, and aviation science.

Since changes were made to the school, the board of education required people to attend three terms for fourteen consecutive weeks, establishing a year's course.

[6] This first normal school established a professional standard for the preparation of teachers, breaking away from traditional academics for attendance.

Bridgewater Normal School trained its students in elementary-school subjects; expansion subjects above the elementary level including mathematics, philosophy, and literature; and pedagogy, including philosophy of teaching and discipline based on child psychology, and as much practical experience under constant supervision as possible at the model school.

[6] An early-morning fire on Wednesday, December 10, 1924, destroyed three of the college's buildings, over half of the campus:[6][8][9] Tillinghast Hall, the Training School, and old Woodward dormitories.

[7] The cause of the fire was not definitely established, but it is believed to have been either "rats or mice" gnawing in the heating ducts,[10] or a spontaneous combustion.

[7] In 1957 the John J. Kelly Gym was built and in 1959 SAT scores were required to be submitted for the first time.

In 1976 the tennis courts opened and students could enjoy movies on Sundays and Tuesdays for 25 to 75 cents.

This would boost its popularity, attract more contributions, increase student applications and enrollment, and give the school a higher profile.

[18] The university has 108 majors in 35 areas of studies starting with the popular education, aviation, psychology, accounting, criminal justice and many others.

Students would contribute a specific amount of money for food, and the principal would then purchase supplies at the nearest wholesale.

The Comment focuses on upcoming events rather than reviews to catch hold of the reader's interest.

[33] Bridgewater State University fields 22 varsity athletic teams (10 men's 12 women's) competing at the NCAA Division III level.

Additions to Pope and Scott Halls opened in fall 2009, increasing their capacity by 150 beds each.

Renovations and additions to the Rondileau Campus Center (RCC) began in spring 2013 and were finished by December.

The project cost the school more than $3.5 million and included lowering the main entrance on Park Avenue to street level, with the stairs being replaced by ramps for improved accessibility, installation of larger, more energy-efficient windows and doors, and interior upgrades.

[35] Renovations and additions to Woodward Hall began in June 2014 and finished shortly before the Fall 2014 semester commenced.

The Tower Lot has been built in an attempt to regain some parking spots lost during the construction.

In November 2013, the university announced plans to open a satellite campus on Cape Cod.

The campus offers a number of undergraduate credit courses in History beginning in Summer 2015.

Located at 11 Field Road, Attleboro, MA 02703[39] Bridgewater State University has a student-run radio station, 91.5 WBIM-FM.

The Bridge, Bridgewater State University's student journal of literature and fine art, was established in 2004.