U.S. News and World Report magazine listed two of Clarion University's online programs as among the largest online graduate programs in the United States in its May 2010 issue.
The magazine surveyed 635 institutions, with 369 responses, to compile its list of graduate-level programs in business, education, engineering, library science, nursing, and public health. The report shows the largest programs, measured by enrollment and the key attributes of the learning experience.
Clarion University was ranked 4th in enrollment in library science and 19th in enrollment in education.
The master of science in library science program, which was initiated in 1967 and was the first of its kind in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, had 522 students enrolled in the online program for the Fall 2009 semester. Clarion University Department of Library Science is one of only three American Library Association (ALA) accredited institutions in Pennsylvania and one of only 54 ALA accredited programs in the United States. It has been accredited since 1976.
The online education program originated in 2002. It had 459 students enrolled in Fall 2009. Graduate degrees offered include a master of science in rehabilitative science and a master of education program in curriculum and instruction. The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) accredits Clarion University's College of Education and Human Services. It has been accredited since 1954.
In an article accompanying the statistics, "Maximizing an Online Education," Rebecca Kern covered how to choose a program wisely and succeed at earning a degree in cyberspace. She outlined the advise of experts as to how to find the right online program and how to successfully complete a degree or certificate program online: including making sure the program is regionally or nationally accredited by an established accrediting agency, access to a physical campus, and quality of the faculty; while urging the prospective student to be self-motivated, technologically capable; and with a support structure of friends and family.
Clarion's online programs enable students to earn a two-year associate degree, a four-year bachelor's degree, a graduate degree or an advanced certificate online while working full-time, without having to come to the Clarion campus. Online study can be an ideal choice for people who are unable to travel to campus due to distance, job commitments or family responsibilities.
Financial aid is available. Clarion University is approved for the G.I. Bill, and offers competitive tuition rates to active-duty military personnel. Clarion University's online study options include:
Associate Degree
- Associate of Arts: Arts & Sciences
- Associate of Science in Allied Health
- Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education
Bachelor Degrees
- Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies
Concentration in Library Science
Concentration in Women's Studies
Minor in Business Administration
Minor in Psychology
Concentration in Communication
Certificate & Special Programs - Online Radiologic Sciences or Sonography Pre-Requisite Program
- Early Childhood Director's Program
- PA Key CDA Credential Renewal Program
- Instructional Technology Certificate - Graduate
- CPA Exam Eligibility Program - Post Baccalaureate
Graduate Programs
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Completion Program
Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging: Concentrations in Radiologic Technology & Sonography
Graduate Programs
- Master of Science of Library Science (Blended on site & online)
- Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner (Blended on site & online)
- Master of Science in Rehabilitative Sciences
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Science in Mass Media Arts & Journalism
- Master of Education Program in Curriculum & Instruction (Blended on site & online)
About Clarion University
Located 70 miles north of Pittsburgh in northwestern Pennsylvania, Clarion University is a public, state university with an annual enrollment of 7,100 students in undergraduate and graduate programs. The university sits on an historic 100-acre campus with 43 buildings including the Carlson Library, two dozen computer laboratories, and a $35 million science and technology center. Clarion University is recognized by 25 separate accrediting agencies, which is the most of any university in the State System of Higher Education. The Clarion University Virtual Campus has been providing online learning opportunities to students for over eight years, and enrolls more than 1,300 students in various distance education programs.
For more information
For more information on online degree and certificate programs at Clarion University, call 1-866-272-5612, send e-mail to clariononline@clarion.edu or visit Clarion Online.