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Clark University - Academics - Academics - College ProwlerCollege Prowler3.85

Academics

B+
Where does this grade come from?View all Academics rankingsReview this school to add your opinion

Comparable Schools' Academics Grades:

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 $82,550
Full-Time Retention Rate 90%
Part-Time Retention Rate 50%
Graduation Rate 77%
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 For students who do not cite an interest in a particular area of study, Clark’s small size becomes its major academic selling point.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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Clark University Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Academics at Clark University

umbepo

Environmental Sciences '14

3.5
B

Environmental Science

Environmental science at Clark isn't hugely popular, and they tend to push you towards the Bio department. If you're not in to that, there isn't that much customized attention. A lot of classes are from geography, physics, and biology, not too many EN classes in itself.

Apr 03, 2012

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Academics at Clark University

aranrekab

Geography '13

3.8
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

Psychology '12

4.6
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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Page 1 of 13
User rating for Clark University - Academics is 4.6 out of 5 based on 39 user reviews.

Photos of Clark University's Academics

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Clark University - Goddard libraryGoddard library
Photo by JGraham18
Goddard library The library has five floors, and the fifth is the quietest (great for napping or a chance to really focus).
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Photo by JGraham18
Clark University - Fieldwork FungiFieldwork Fungi
Photo by Clark1
Fieldwork Fungi Clark students conduct fieldwork for a professor's lab on fungi.
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Photo by Clark1
Clark University - Fall FestFall Fest
Photo by Clark1
Fall Fest A student shared her summer internship experience at the Barefoot College in India during Clark University's annual Fall Fest.
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Photo by Clark1

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate your school’s professors on the following topics

Rate your school’s academic environment on the following topics

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).

Become a Contributing Author Learn more »

Most Recent Student Author View all

Name
Angela Wu
Hometown
Bellevue, WA
Major
Undecided

College Prowler is seeking talented student authors to assist with writing and updating the College Prowler guides to their schools. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain experience and tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is really like at your college.

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How do we get our information? Find out here or report an error here. The statistics on our site are from the National Center for Education Statistics IPEDS database.
We update this information twice annually, most recently in May 2012, but it may not be the most recent information available for a particular school.
For additional information we encourage you to visit school websites or contact the schools directly.