Student-Faculty Ratio
37:1
Full-Time Student Population
6,506
Part-Time Student Population
9,906
Full-Time Instructional Faculty
159
Part-Time Instructional Faculty
322
Full-Time Retention Rate
77%
Part-Time Retention Rate
48%
Degrees Awarded
- Associate degree
- Certificate
Instructional Programs
Occupational:
YesAcademic:
YesContinuing Professional:
NoRecreational/Avocational:
YesAdult Basic Remedial:
YesSecondary (High School):
YesPrograms/Majors Offered
42Most Popular Majors
- Animal Husbandry: Unknown
- Biological and Physical Sciences: Unknown
- Humanities: Unknown
- Liberal Arts and Sciences: Unknown
Special Study Options
Distance Learning Opportunities:
YesStudy Abroad:
YesWeekend/Evening College:
YesTeacher Certification:
NoClass Sizes
In stark contrast with a large research university, Moorpark offers a small, personal class size. General biology courses at the UCs are often run in large lecture halls with sometimes 300 students. At Moorpark, general biology courses usually have no more than 25 students. With a good professor, a class can take on a one-on-one atmosphere that just oozes with intellectual stimulation and personal attention.
Student/Professor Relationships
Student/professor relationships at Moorpark are unmatched. Community college professors are there strictly to teach and are at the beck and call of the students. Although there are inevitably a few bad apples, most professors love to engage in conversation, hear about students' aspirations, and are almost always willing to write letters of recommendation.
Testing & Grading Procedures
Grading is a variable depending on the professor. However, most courses follow a standard pattern: exams and a final are weighted most heavily. Along with exams, expect a few papers, an occasional project, and (lightly-weighted) homework assignments.
Typical Lecture - Single Day
Some professors fervently encourage discussion, while others just expect you to listen as they talk throughout the entire duration. Some take attendance, while others scoff at the idea of caring whether or not you're there. Some even cut class short and e-mail the lecture notes. What goes on during lectures varies between professors, but for the most part, expect to do a lot of listening and note-taking. English courses may attempt group readings, and math courses might have group work. Basically, it's what you'd expect.
Typical Course - Start to Finish
Most courses are well-planned and scheduled. The syllabus you get on the first day will likely plan out the entire course. Some "bad" professors have trouble sticking to their outline, but most are reliable. Expect a major exam, a midterm, a final, and a few papers. For math and science courses, remove the paper and add more exams.
Things I Wish I Knew Before Coming To School
- Fountain Hall can be a good alternative when the library is crowded. Also, it's open much later (until 10 p.m.).
- Honors classes can be more enjoyable due to the focused atmosphere and personalized attention, and on the whole, they aren't that much more difficult.
- How to entertain oneself.
- How to remain civilized in the face of dumb questions. Also, how to refrain from hurling objects at said question-askers.
- Moorpark does offer a decent amount of clubs, organizations, and honor societies, but they're essentially unheard of, and you'll have to seek them out.
- Parking can be a hassle during the morning hours.
- PhDs are sometimes misleading.
- TAG (Transfer Admission Guarantee) can offer guaranteed admission to most UC campuses (barring GPA and class requirements).
- TAP (Transfer Alliance Program) can offer an advantage in transfer admission to UCLA. This program can be much less stressful to complete if embarked on during a student's first year.
- The library restrooms are the nicest (electronic on/off switches and push/open doors-no touching of dirty handles necessary!).
- The Math Center and the Writing Center inside the library offer free tutoring and essay revisions.
- There is always one amazing person in each class. Find him or her!
Tips to Succeed
- Attend lectures and talk to your professors (even if it's mindless banter-they love to talk to students). Plus, you never know when you'll need a letter of recommendation.
- Be in control of your life! Don't rely on counselors alone to plan your college career. Research the classes you need to take. Don't risk having to spend an extra semester finishing up prerequisites.
- If needed, utilize the tutoring services. There are boatloads of them.
- Stay focused! The "college atmosphere" can sometimes be lacking, so you must remember that you are, in fact, in college and not in "High School: Part Two."
Faculty Diversity
African American:
3%Asian American:
6%Hispanic:
11%International:
1%Native American:
1%White:
73%Unknown:
5%Average Faculty Salary
$81,624
Academic/Career Counseling?
Yes
Did You Know?
Most people associate the title of "Dr." with prestigious four-year schools. However, many of Moorpark's faculty members have post-graduate degrees-and some even PhDs.