Clark University - Academics

B+

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Quick Stats

Student-Faculty Ratio		10:1
Full-Time Student Population		2,953
Part-Time Student Population		463
Full-Time Instructional Faculty		202
Part-Time Instructional Faculty		112
Total FT Faculty		212
Faculty with Terminal Degree		97%
Average Faculty Salary		$80,523
Full-Time Retention Rate		88%
Part-Time Retention Rate		67%
Graduation Rate		73%
Programs/Majors Offered		41
Average Course Load		4 courses per semester (12 credits)
Academic/Career Counseling?		Yes
Remedial Services?		Yes
Class Sizes		Fewer than 20 Students: 58% 20 to 49 Students: 38% 50 or More Students: 4%

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

In most cases, students are primarily attracted to Clark because of its noted academic programs. The reputations of its psychology and geography departments resound on the post-graduate level, as does the name of Clark in general. Although the general public may not think of Clark as a household name, other universities do. Special degree options, like the fifth-year free accelerated master’s program, are also a huge draw to the campus. Yet, while students tend to love the classes within their major, they seem to bemoan the non-major classes required for their degree. For students who do not cite an interest in a particular area of study, Clark’s small size becomes its major academic selling point. The low student-to-faculty ratio and small class sizes ensure an intimate learning environment for all students. All classes at Clark are taught by professors with a doctoral degree or its equivalent, and TAs are generally left to run recitations and study sessions outside of class. This enables students to receive the sort of individual attention that can really make a difference in their grade.

Finally, Clark makes it a point to make sure students earn the grades they receive. That means that Clark professors are instructed to remain firm in their assessment of students and to not artificially raise grades in order to make themselves or the school look better on paper. Clark prides itself on its avoidance of grade inflation, and graduate schools are aware of this fact when they consider applications.

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Academics at Clark University

aranrekab

'13

Geography

B+

Geography Major

The geography major is super varied and leaves the student with many options after his/her undergraduate completion.

Jan 13, 2012

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Academics at Clark University

graduating27

'12

Psychology

A

Psychology

The psychology department is pretty close-knit. I know most of the professors even if I did not have them in class. The intro classes are boring but once you get into the upper level classes and specific topics of psychology, they are really interesting and most of the time, students are really engaged in class. The research courses in the psychology department allow you to take the fundamentals learned in the many intro classes and put your skills to real research and research processes. I find research to be very rewarding and interesting; in many cases I find myself learning more in research than in any of the into classes. Many of the professors are helpful in helping with life decisions such as whether or not to continue onto graduate school, or what to concentrate on. I have an amazing advisor-Professor Vollhardt. She has been there every step of the way in my application to graduate schools.

Jan 11, 2012

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Academics at Clark University

khorigan

'13

History

A+

Academics at Clark

Clark is a small school and because of this the professors are really able to get to know their students on a first name basis. They genuinely make an effort to help students both inside and outside of the classroom. Many are very inspiring and make classes extremely worthwhile. The small classes allow students to never feel like a number in a classroom.

Aug 17, 2011

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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 4 or 5
IB Test Score Requirements		Possible credit for scores of 5 or higher
Undergraduate Schools/Divisions		College of Arts and Sciences College of Professional and Continuing Education (COPACE)
Degrees Awarded		Bachelor's degree Doctorate - Research/scholarship Master's degree Post-bachelor's certificate Post-master's certificate
Most Popular Majors		Business Administration and Management: 6% Finance, General: 4% Psychology: 5% Speech Communication and Rhetoric: 3%
Special Study Options		Distance learning opportunities Study abroad Teacher certification (below the postsecondary level)
Best Places to Study		The Academic Commons Lounge and Cafeteria of University Center
Did You Know?		The first Fifth-Year-Free Program in the United States started at Clark. Under Clark’s BA/MA program with the fifth year free, full-time undergraduates who earn a 3.25 GPA their second, third, and fourth years of study, plus entry requirements for their chosen grad program, are eligible for tuition-free enrollment into a one-year graduate program. Clark offers a PhD in Holocaust History and Genocide Studies. We are the first and only school to do so in the United States. The school is one the smallest research universities in the country, a fact that Clarkies are very proud of, as it gives students the opportunity to work closely with faculty. In front of the main academic building on campus sits a life-size statue of Sigmund Freud. Clark was the only university that the famous psychologist lectured at in the United States. The statue remains one of the most commonly referenced landmarks and meeting points on campus. The Goddard Library is named after the Clark physicist who is renowned as “the father of modern rocketry.” Dr. Goddard’s work provided the technology that made space travel possible. The credit system for a class at Clark is comprised of “units.” Each Clark course is awarded one unit (equivalent to four credit hours). To earn a bachelor’s degree, a student must complete a minimum of 32 course units (128 credit hours).

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Most Recent Student Author

College Prowler guides are in the hands of students throughout the entire process. Because you can't make student-written guides without the students, we have students at each campus who write, edit, and survey their peers for every guide that we publish. Thanks to our most recent student author at Clark

Name: Angela Wu

Hometown: Bellevue, WA

Major: Undecided

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