Bard College
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Bard College - Academics - Academics - College ProwlerCollege Prowler4.24

Academics

Quick Stats

Student-Faculty Ratio 10:1
Full-Time Student Population 2,137
Part-Time Student Population 97
Full-Time Instructional Faculty 173
Part-Time Instructional Faculty 132
Total FT Faculty 187
Faculty with Terminal Degree 96%
Average Faculty Salary $90,769
Full-Time Retention Rate 90%
Graduation Rate 78%
Programs/Majors Offered 12
Average Course Load 16 credits
Academic/Career Counseling? Yes
Remedial Services? No
Class Sizes
  • Fewer than 20 students: 72%
  • 20 to 49 students: 28%
  • 50 or more students: 0%

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

Bard offers a unique, diverse blend of structure and choice when it comes to academic exploration. Courses with an enrollment averaging around a dozen Bardians allow for the intimate discussion and one-on-one student-professor interaction that wouldn’t be feasible in a larger, more impersonal lecture hall setting. Whether students are mulling over philosophy or working closely with a professor on a particular painting or musical piece, they will always receive the attention affordable in a close-knit academic environment. Many classes are fairly writing-intensive, as professors ask students to compose multiple essays related to the semester’s course work. Others focus on performative acuity or artistic risk taking.

By the end of sophomore year, most students are required to ‘moderate’ into a particular division of study (similar to declaring a major). In order to moderate, the student must first complete a certain number of requisite courses related to their major, as well as (but not always) successfully finish some sort of entrance exam or project. For instance, students moderating into the psychology program are asked to write a critical evaluation of a psychological journal essay, while students entering into the dance program are required to choreograph one or more performances. While moderation is usually a stressful time for Bardians, it ultimately helps to prepare them for future course work and the far more rigorous demands of their senior project.

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Bard Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Academics at Bard College

MSM

Asian Studies '13

4.2
A-

Professors Who Truly Care

Bard is a beautiful place, two small towns close enough to reach by car. If you do not have a car (like me) there are shuttles that run infrequently. However, the part that I love about Bard College is the academics. The professors are 100% involved and really care about you as a student. Our classes are so small that by the end of each term, it feels like the professors have become your friends because you can talk to them so frequently.

Classes themselves are also wonderful, because I find myself wanting to take over 40 credits each year, instead of 16. Hard choices, it's just all so good!

Jan 24, 2012

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Academics at Bard College

Christiane101

Accounting '15

4.2
A-

Mathmatics

Its very rare to see an African American Mathematics major in Bard; especially adding to the fact that i am a women. Since Bard is a liberal arts school, the majority of the students here are all Literature, Art, or Dance majors. The Mathematics Program is small but very intriguing. There are a lot of required classes that we have to take and most of the faculties are wonderful.

Jan 15, 2012

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Academics at Bard College

cb4585

Studio Arts '15

5.0
A+

Studio Art Major

art here is intense. A lot of nonmajors take level one classes thinking it will be a "fun" class to let off steam, and then regret it when they find themselves constantly in the studio. But the majors are all dedicated and talented, and for the most part enjoy the high workload. Professors are amazing and fairly well-known in their fields, so it's always nice to hear their critiques. They really care about teaching and building personal relationships with their students. sculpture is weaker than the other disciplines (painting, printmaking, drawing), but still good. Most majors that ive met chose bard over some great art schools or transfered from art schools, and for the most part everyones happy with their choice and the quality of the department.

Dec 08, 2011

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User rating for Bard College - Academics is 4.6 out of 5 based on 23 user reviews.

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Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

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Facts

Instructional Programs Occupational: No
Academic: Yes
Continuing Professional: No
Recreational/Avocational: No
Adult Basic Remedial: No
Secondary (High School): No
Special Credit Opportunities Advanced Placement (AP) Credits: Yes
Dual Credit: Yes
Life Experience Credits: No
AP Test Score Requirements Possible credit for scores of 5
IB Test Score Requirements Possible credit for scores 5 and above
Undergraduate Schools/Divisions
  • Division of Languages and Literature
  • Division of Mathematics and Computing
  • Division of Science
  • Division of Social Studies
  • Division of the Arts
Degrees Awarded
  • Associate degree
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Doctorate - Research/scholarship
  • Master's degree
Most Popular Majors
  • English Language and Literature/Letters, Other: 6%
  • Liberal Arts and Sciences: 12%
  • Social Science Research Methods: 10%
  • Studio Arts: 8%
Special Study Options Study abroad
Best Places to Study
  • Henderson Computer Lab
  • Library
Did You Know?
  • Bard attracts many well-recognized and world-famous academics. Writers like Chinua Achebe and John Ashbery are just a couple of the established artists teaching at the college today. Bard's Writer-in-Residence program ensures that there is never a shortage of preeminent authors frequenting campus, giving lectures, and taking time to meet with students.
  • While the college continues to uphold a strong involvement in the arts, emphasis has been placed on the sciences. In 2000, Bard College and the Rockefeller University in New York City established a collaborative program in the sciences. As result, courses have been developed for the students of each institution, including opportunities in biochemistry and molecular biology. Rockefeller will reserve places for Bard students in its Summer Undergraduate Research Fellows program.
  • In 2007, Bard opened the state-of-the-art Gabrielle H. Reem and Herbert J. Kayden Center for Science and Computation. Among its open labs and "smart classrooms," the facility contains many specialized research areas, including a zebrafish facility, and a robotics lab.
  • At Bard, students can take one-on-one tutorials with their professors. This means that students interested in a particular subject—say, anything from impressionist painting to contemporary rap music—can meet with a professor weekly, develop a personal itinerary for course work, and pursue their interests at their own pace.
  • Every semester around finals, students are invited to partake in Bard's Midnight Breakfast—a convivial convergence upon Kline Commons during which everyone can unwind, eat late-night pancakes, and embarrass themselves by singing karaoke in front of the entire school.
  • The Free Press, Bard's very own bi-monthly newspaper, received Spin magazine's "Best College Publication" award.

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Name
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Hometown
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