Slippery Rock University
- Academics

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Slippery Rock University - Academics - College ProwlerCollege Prowler3.08

Academics

Quick Stats

Student-Faculty Ratio 20:1
Full-Time Student Population 7,651
Part-Time Student Population 997
Full-Time Instructional Faculty 352
Part-Time Instructional Faculty 60
Total FT Faculty 368
Faculty with Terminal Degree 87%
Average Faculty Salary $78,196
Full-Time Retention Rate 81%
Part-Time Retention Rate 100%
Graduation Rate 59%
Programs/Majors Offered 38
Average Course Load 15 credits
Academic/Career Counseling? Yes
Remedial Services? Yes
Class Sizes
  • Fewer than 20 Students: 18%
  • 20 to 49 Students: 74%
  • 50 or More Students: 7%

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

Slippery Rock University is commonly mislabeled as a “party school,” which leads many to assume that there is no prestige here. Sure, SRU is no Harvard or Yale, but there is a lot of quality that comes with the education that each student receives—and you don’t have to pay a million dollars in student loans to get it. Slippery Rock is well known for several academic programs, including education and physical therapy. However, there are a few weak and useless programs comparable to the art of underwater basket weaving. At Slippery Rock University, it is not uncommon to have lunch with your professors or to have a friendly chat about politics and literature during their office hours. Students are not just a number here. Most professors know students by name and greet them accordingly, while trudging through the snowy quad. Class sizes are kept small and taught by real professors, never by TAs, enforcing a bridge between professor and student. There are professors here from all over the world and most are well-established in their fields. Your textbook may even be authored by their very hand.

There are a few professors who are eccentric and unfocused, which leads to haphazard classroom direction and dismay. Across the board, veteran SRU students advise that you get to know your professor before you walk into his or her classroom. Do your research, ask around, and explore if you are compatible with his or her teaching style. This will ensure that your writing professor is not just a cat lady with skills solely in magnetic poetry.

See how you stack up against students who were accepted to this school . . .And calculate your chances!Register to get started

Slippery Rock Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Academics at Slippery Rock University

kvz9023

'14

History

4.6
A

The History Department Is Great!

I attend Slippery Rock University and have recently decided that I want to pursue a degree in History. All of the professors in the department are very helpful and put forth a great effort to graduate students with a degree. They have a very diverse class selection as well.

Feb 02, 2012

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Academics at Slippery Rock University

sanfordskip36

'14

Athletic Training

5.0
A+

The Best in Professors

I originally decided to attend Slippery Rock University because of the Athletic Training program they have and also because a friend was attending this school. Now going into my second semester I've found that almost all of the professors are extremely likable and very helpful to those who need it or ask for it.

Dec 06, 2011

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Academics at Slippery Rock University

glitzkrieg

'12

History

3.5
B

History Dept

The History department is decent. There are a few really amazing professors, but the majority of professors are either neutral or bad. Internships are possible but there are not that many to choose from; the plus side is, however, that internships are not required for the degree so nobody actually signs up for one. The History classes are held in Spotts World Cultures: a building where it feels like summer even when it is below zero outside!

Nov 05, 2011

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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: No
AP Test Score Requirements Possible credit for scores of 3, 4, or 5
Undergraduate Schools/Divisions
  • College of Business, Information, and Social Sciences
  • College of Education
  • College of Fine and Performing Arts
  • College of Health, Environment, and Science
  • College of Humanities
Degrees Awarded
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Certificate
  • Doctorate - Professional practice
  • Master's degree
  • Post-bachelor's certificate
Most Popular Majors
  • Business Administration and Management: 6%
  • Elementary Education: 6%
  • Health, Outdoor, and Physical Education: 3%
  • Special Education and Teaching: 4%
Special Study Options
  • Distance learning opportunities
  • Study abroad
  • Teacher certification (below the postsecondary level)
Best Places to Study Bailey Library (3rd floor stacks)
Did You Know?

Slippery Rock University was initially founded in 1889 as Slippery Rock State Normal School, specializing in teacher education.

In 2005, SRU’s Department of Physical Therapy was ranked by a nationally-syndicated publication as second in the nation, behind only UMass.

Slippery Rock University’s College of Education continues to lead both regionally and nationally. The College of Education became the first in Pennsylvania to earn a five-year accreditation under the newly-established National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) guidelines. Each year, over 100 school districts from around the East Coast come to the Rock for the Teacher Job Fair in order to recruit education students.

There are no TAs at Slippery Rock, only certified professional professors.

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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 SRU

Name: Liz Rekowski

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA

Major: Communication

see all student author bios > Become a student author to help update the guide for this school