Student-Faculty Ratio
9:1
Full-Time Student Population
1,576
Part-Time Student Population
125
Full-Time Instructional Faculty
110
Part-Time Instructional Faculty
201
Faculty with Terminal Degree
97%
Average Faculty Salary
$85,132
Full-Time Retention Rate
89%
Programs/Majors Offered
10
Academic/Career Counseling?
Yes
Class Sizes
- Fewer than 20 students: 93%
- 20 to 49 students: 6%
- 50 or more students: 1%
Instructional Programs
Occupational:
NoAcademic:
YesContinuing Professional:
NoRecreational/Avocational:
NoAdult Basic Remedial:
NoSecondary (High School):
NoSpecial Credit Opportunities
Advanced Placement (AP) Credits:
YesDual Credit:
NoLife Experience Credits:
NoUndergraduate Schools/Divisions
- Creative and Performing Arts
- History and the Social Sciences
- Humanities
- Science and Mathematics
Degrees Awarded
- Bachelor's degree
- Master's degree
- Post-master's certificate
Most Popular Majors
- Creative Writing: 6%
- Elementary Education: 2%
- Genetic Counseling/Counselor: 3%
- Liberal Arts and Sciences: 33%
Graduation Requirements
- Arts/fine arts
- Humanities
- Sciences (biological or physical)
- Social science
Special Study Options
- Study abroad
- Teacher certification (below the postsecondary level)
Other Academic Offerings
- Double major
- Exchange student program (domestic)
- Independent study
- Internships
- Student-designed major
Best Places to Study
- Heimbold Visual Arts Center
- Library
- MacCracken study lounge
- North Lawn
Tips to Succeed
- Ace the class interview process by going to as many interviews as possible, taking copious notes, asking honest questions, and, most importantly, being yourself!
- Ask questions in class, even if it means slowing down the discussion.
- Check your email every day, and always read the daily announcements.
- Discuss your ambitions-professors like it when students have an all-or-nothing approach to their work.
- Never miss a class without notifying the professor beforehand.
- No matter how sick, tired, hungover, or otherwise preoccupied you are, never, ever, ever, ever, ever miss a conference with a professor.
Did You Know?
- Grades? What grades? Chances are, you'll never see a number or letter grade for the work you do in class. Instead, you'll receive detailed written evaluations which underline what you did right and suggest what you need to improve. But at the end of each semester, professors do assign you a letter grade for the sake of records. You can find out what it is at the Registrar's Office in Westlands.
- During the registration period, you interview professors whose classes you're interested in taking. In each interview, you and the professor exchange questions. The catch? You decide if this course is right for you, and the professor decides if you're right for his or her course.
- Have an idea for a project but can't find a course to accommodate it? Juniors and seniors can apply for the independent study program, which replaces one course (five credits) on your semester schedule. In an independent study, you work with one or more professors on a project that interests you-whether it is researching Long Island tadpoles, writing your first novella, building an installation piece from retired boat sails, or putting together a chapbook of romantic poetry. This is strictly an opportunity for self-motivated students; while you will set your own schedule, deadlines, and standards, the amount of credit you will receive is still up to your professors.
- Undergraduate students interested in childhood education may take graduate classes in the Art of Teaching program during their senior year. Good academic standing, requisite courses, and field experiences are required to begin this program. If accepted, you will then be able to finish graduate requirements for a master of science in education degree after one additional year and a summer of study.
- Why is the average course load three rather than the typical four? At SLC, long-term projects and in-depth research require free time and space between classes. Students are encouraged to take a maximum of three courses per semester, equaling 15 credits.
- Students must take coursework in three of the four areas: Creative and Performing Arts, History and the Social Sciences, Humanities, and Natural Sciences/Mathematics.