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Old Dominion University
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Old Dominion University - Academics - Academics - College ProwlerCollege Prowler2.69

Academics

C+
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 21:1
Full-Time Student Population 15,650
Part-Time Student Population 8,350
Full-Time Instructional Faculty 696
Part-Time Instructional Faculty 461
Total FT Faculty 740
Faculty with Terminal Degree 79%
Average Faculty Salary $74,491
Full-Time Retention Rate 80%
Part-Time Retention Rate 63%
Transfer-Out Rate 24%
Graduation Rate 50%
Programs/Majors Offered 75
Average Course Load 15 credits (5 courses)
Academic/Career Counseling? Yes
Remedial Services? No
Class Sizes
  • Fewer than 20 Students: 41%
  • 20 to 49 Students: 48%
  • 50 or More Students: 11%

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

ODU has a penchant for genial professors—professors who don’t mind taking the time out of their work schedule to meet with students and talk with them about pressing issues such as grades or the due dates of future projects. Professors make it very clear what their expectations are so that students have a clear understanding of what they need to be doing in classes. Because of this, there is no aggressiveness in a class, and most courses are extremely laid-back—in fact, most students work together on assignments and help each other ad nauseum.

Without the pressures of making the best grade in a course, student-teacher relationships are far more relaxed. However, with several debutante teacher’s assistants leading classes instead of actual professors, a few courses at ODU can be much more difficult or annoying than they would be if a professor led them. Students often complain that TAs (most of which are still students themselves) are teaching courses without any past experience. Fortunately, those courses are few. Each of the colleges at ODU is equipped with professors who are well-read in their fields. Although ODU is mostly renowned for the degrees and majors it offers in the science and business fields, it too has a burgeoning College of Fine Arts and Education, providing for a dynamic dualism between the colleges on the campus. Without the hassles of competition, classes just flow more easily at ODU.

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Old Dominion Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Academics at Old Dominion University

erinfagan

Marine Biology and Oceanography '12

4.6
A

My Favorite Part.

This is the best part about ODU. The professors are dedicated, the classes are interesting, and I have never had a problem with registration.

May 09, 2012

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Academics at Old Dominion University

erinfagan

Marine Biology and Oceanography '12

3.8
B+

Great Classes... When You Can Get in!

The classes for my major, marine biology, are fantastic, as are the professors... the issue is that many classes, like the field classes, are offered so few and far between. Many classes take place outside and off-campus. The classes are around seven hours long, and only offered once per Spring semester. If you don't make it into the one you need, it messes with your entire schedule.

May 09, 2012

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Academics at Old Dominion University

BigdogG

Physical Education Teaching and Coaching '15

3.1
B-

Good but Could Be Better

Old Dominion University is a great school academically, socially it could be Alot better, and the chemistry tutors could be better.

Apr 20, 2012

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Page 1 of 17
User rating for Old Dominion University - Academics is 4.6 out of 5 based on 51 user reviews.

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: Yes
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: Yes
AP Test Score Requirements Credit and/or placement possible for scores of 3, 4, or 5
IB Test Score Requirements Credit and/or placement possible for scores of 4-7
Undergraduate Schools/Divisions
  • Arts and Letters
  • Batten College of Engineering and Technology
  • Business and Public Administration
  • Darden College of Education
  • Health Sciences
  • Honors College
  • Sciences
  • University College
Degrees Awarded
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Doctorate - Professional practice
  • Doctorate - Research/scholarship
  • Master's degree
  • Post-master's certificate
Most Popular Majors
  • Business Administration and Management: 3%
  • Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other: 3%
  • Psychology: 2%
  • Registered Nursing (RN): 2%
Special Study Options
  • Distance learning opportunities
  • Study abroad
  • Teacher certification (below the postsecondary level)
  • Weekend/evening college
Best Places to Study
  • The Courtyards
  • Elliot's Fair Grounds
  • ODU's Library
  • Pagoda
  • Webb Center
Did You Know?
  • Old Dominion University was established as the Norfolk division of the College of William & Mary in 1930. In 1962, it finally became an independent institution.
  • Interested in environmental justice, our dangerous, ever-changing global climate, or sustainable development? If not, get ready to be. In 2005, Old Dominion University began the NewPAGE (New Portals to Appreciating our Global Environment) course. A requirement of all freshmen,
  • the course has stirred controversy amongst incoming students who have blamed professors, and the course in general, of agenda pushing, and find it to be a complete waste of time. Even so, there is no sign of it going away.
  • In 1999, Old Dominion University agreed to work with American Maglev to construct a maglev system on campus. It would connect either sides of the University campus and eventually bridge Washington DC to Hampton Roads. Other universities had been chosen for the project as well, but they all declined due to the concerns regarding the project's cost and its safety. Because of inadequate funding, the maglev remains unfinished, and its original 2007 completion date continues to be pushed back.
  • Old Dominion University is one of the largest providers of distance-learning degree programs in the country via its Teletechnet initiative. More than 3,000 students have graduated from Old Dominion via distance-learning, including Navy personnel who took classes while being deployed around the world.
  • Need some time away from studying and classes? The Lady Monarchs are the University's best-known sports team and, having won three national championships, provide for some excellent entertainment.

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Most Recent Student Author View all

Name
Bryoney Hayes
Hometown
The East Coast!
Major
English with a Journalism concentration

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.