Careers & Internships
Physics
A bachelor's degree in physics qualifies graduates for applied research and development positions in private industry and governmental laboratories. Students who choose a secondary subject (minor or concentration) are prepared for work in related fields such as biophysics or geophysics.
Students preparing for careers in basic research usually continue their education at graduate school. Several of our recent graduates have been accepted into programs at major research universities with significant stipends for their support.
Graduates with the B.S.Ed. degree in physics will find a large number of employment opportunities in secondary teaching in all regions of the country. Students who elect to remain in Pennsylvania may qualify for special tuition grants.
The American Institute of Physics (AIP) maintains a Career Network. The AIP Career Website has a proven record of providing helpful career information and job opportunities for undergraduate students.
Astrophysics
Students preparing for graduate work in astrophysics are encouraged to choose the astrophysics concentration. In addition to conducting research with faculty, astrophysics students have presented at national meetings and collected data at large observatories.
The department also owns a fully-automated 40-foot planetarium. Interested students have learned how to program and present shows for the general public by completing an internship in planetarium operation.
The American Institute of Physics (AIP) maintains a Career Network. The AIP Career Website has a proven record of providing helpful career information and job opportunities for undergraduate students.
Cooperative Engineering
A student in this program attends Clarion for three years and Case Western Reserve University or the University of Pittsburgh for two years. Upon successful completion of the program the student is awarded a B.S. degree in physics, chemistry, or mathematics from Clarion and a B.S. degree in engineering from the engineering school.
Clarion University of Pennsylvania has cooperative engineering agreements with:
Program Advantages:
The three/two program has several advantages over a four-year program at an engineering school:
- The student receives a more liberal education in this program and earns two degrees in a five-year period.
- Clarion's tuition and fees are considerably lower than at most engineering schools.
- Students who satisfy all the program requirements are guaranteed acceptance to the engineering school. This is very important since competition for admission to engineering schools is very intense.