Clarion University of Pennsylvania

Updated August 7, 2020

Clarion University of Pennsylvania is a public institution of higher learning residing in Clarion, Pennsylvania. It is a part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Its campus sits on 201 acres in the rolling hills of the western part of the state. The university prides itself on its courageous and confident students who create a lively future through rigorous academics and diverse interests. Its mission is to provide innovative, lifelong learning opportunities through advanced nationally recognized programs presented in inclusive student-centered learning atmospheres. Its vision is to become a leader in top-notch academic practices that help students, employers, and the community.

Clarion University of Pennsylvania offers more than 100 academic programs at the associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree levels. It also offers a variety of certificate programs. The programs are offered through its six schools of education: College of Arts, Education, and Sciences, School of Education, School of Health Sciences, Venango College, School of Information Sciences, and College of Business Administration and Information Sciences. The university focuses on small class sizes and the student to faculty ratio is 18 to one. It also focuses on providing student with an array of internship and study abroad opportunities to ensure a well-rounded education that prepares all graduates for successful careers.

Clarion University of Pennsylvania as founded in 1867 as the Carrier Seminary of Western Pennsylvania. It was named in honor of the Carrier family that contributed $6,000 toward the institution. The seminary became Clarion State Normal School in 1887. The school was purchased by the state of Pennsylvania in 1915 and it became a college-level institution in 1920. It officially became Clarion State College in 1929. It gained accreditation by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools in 1948. The college has exponential growth from 1960 to 1976, including opening a second campus. The college became a university in 1980 and there was a substantial increase in enrollment. Today, Clarion University is home to about 5,500 students, including 4,555 undergraduate and 813 graduate students.

Clarion University of Pennsylvania Accreditation Details

The Middles States Commission on Higher Education regionally accredits Clarion University of Pennsylvania to grant associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.

Clarion University of Pennsylvania Application Requirements

Undergraduate

Complete the undergraduate online application or printable application
Submit official high school transcript
Submit official SAT or ACT scores directly to the university
Submit official transcripts from all previously attended institutions of higher learning
Pay the online application fee of $35

Graduate

Complete the graduate online application
Submit official transcripts from previously attended colleges and universities
Submit official GRE or GMAT scores directly to the graduate office
Pay the online application fee of $40
Submit letters of recommendation as required by specific programs

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition

The tuition at Clarion University of Pennsylvania is established by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education's Board of Governors. The total cost of attendance varies greatly on amount of credits, fees, residency, location, housing, meal plan, and sometimes program.

Pennsylvania Resident

Full-Time Enrolled in 12-18 Credits

Clarion: $3,619 per semester
Online: $3,619

Part-Time Enrolled in Less Than 12 Credits or More Than 19 Credits

Clarion: $302 per credit
Online: $302 per credit

Full-Time Non-Resident Enrolled in 12-18 Credits

Clarion: $5,429
Online: $3,909

Part-Time Non-Resident Enrolled in Less Than 12 Credits or More Than 19 Credits

Clarion: $452 per credit
Online: $326 per credit

Financial Aid

Clarion University of Pennsylvania offers an array of financial aid programs and about 91 percent of students are eligible for some type of financial aid. Scholarships, grants, loans, and student employment are available. To eligible, students must enroll in at least six credits to be considered half-time.

Scholarships

Clarion University Alumni Association Scholarship
APSCURF Family Scholarship
Clarion Area Rotary Club Scholarship
Pay It Forward Scholarship
Clarion Eagle Transfer Award
Stephens Scholarship
Clarion University Civic Engagement Scholarship
CIO Endowed Scholarship

Communications Scholarships

James H. Cole Scholarship
James J. Canelos Scholarship
Dr. Mary Hardwick SCT Scholarship
Communication Department Endowed Scholarship

Online Scholarships

Dr. Arthur Action Scholarship
Dr. Dilnawaz Siddiqui Scholarship

Grants

Federal Pell Grant
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
Federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant
Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) Grant

Loans

Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
Federal Perkins Loan
Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan

Student Employment

All students are eligible for student employment. The Federal Work Study program provides funding for individuals showing financial need. Students who do not show financial need are eligible for the institutional employment program. Both programs enable students to work to earn money to pay for college related expenses. Students typically work less than 20 hours a week and pay varies on employer, position, job duties, and qualifications.

Online Degrees Available

Clarion University of Pennsylvania Online offers a Bachelor of Liberal Studies with a concentration in communication. The program is offered entirely online to meet the needs of busy students. It provides students with a broad based foundation in communication. Students learn about mass communication, communication theory, writing, interpersonal communication, and small-group communication. It requires the completion of 120 credit hours including general education liberal arts classes and major core courses in communication.

The core courses include communication studies, introduction to human communication, introduction to mass media, introduction to human communication, media writing, oral interpretation, public speaking, interpersonal communication theory and process, nonverbal communication, and organizational communication seminars in consulting.

Students also have the ability to complete internship experiences to gain hands-on experience working in real-life media organizations. Graduates of the communication program will have the ability to demonstrate their communication abilities through both oral and written exercises. They will show critical thinking skills across an array of disciplines and they will convey the link between their academic program and selected career interests.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Liberal Studies in Communication are prepared for an array of careers in corporate communication, journalism, media management, and other mass-media related areas. Clarion University of Pennsylvania Online is an ideal choice for busy students seeking to complete their degree in communication to pursue rewarding careers in the field.