Clemson University

Clemson University Academics

Accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Clemson University offers doctorate, graduate, and undergraduate programs in five colleges: College of Architecture, Arts & Humanities; College of Agriculture, Forestry & Life Sciences; College of Engineering & Science; College of Business & Behavioral Science; and College of Health, Education & Human Development. The university offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, Education Specialist, and Doctor’s degrees.

Clemson’s five colleges have over 100 departments, including Aerospace Studies, Bioengineering, Cooperative Education, Environmental Toxicology, Mechanical Engineering, Policy Studies, Sociology, Wildlife and Fisheries Biology, and many more. Clemson is also home to the Calhoun Honors College for gifted students who excelled in high school.

Known primarily as a military school until 1955, Clemson still has a military presence on campus, the Army and Air Force ROTC being just one example.

Smart Money magazine ranked Clemson University number eight in terms of a student’s return on their investment.

Distance education is also offered for those students seeking an alternative way of completing college credit. Through distance education, classes are conducted online or via video conferencing.

Clemson University provides motivated students the opportunity to attend Calhoun Honors College. Established in 1962, this college offers honors classes for students interested in getting an excelled and enriching education. Students interested must apply to be considered.

To assist working professionals, Clemson University is part of a cooperative with six other South Carolina universities who offer classes at the University Center of Greenville. The universities included in this cooperative are: Clemson University, University of South Carolina, Medical University of South Carolina, South Carolina State University, Furman University, Lander University, and the University of South Carolina Upstate.

The University Center of Greenville provides working professionals the opportunity to complete their undergraduate or graduate degrees within a flexible learning environment. Classes are offered during the day, in the evenings, on the weekends, and some can be found on the web.

Clemson University Admissions

Clemson University serves undergraduate students, graduate students, international students, and transfer students. To be considered, students must fill out an application form, a financial aid form (if needed), submit transcripts from high school or from another college or university, provide ACT or SAT test scores, and pay an application fee. The school’s application form can be downloaded from their website or completed online.

Admissions to Clemson University has grown more and more competitive in recent years, as the school continually receives more applications than available spots in the classroom.

Clemson officials generally look at a student’s high school curriculum, performance both in and out of the classroom, and scores on standardized tests such as the ACT and SAT, when evaluating an applicant.

Applicants to the graduate school must possess a four–year degree from a university that meets Clemson’s academic standards. They will also need to submit standardized test scores, official transcripts, and any letters of recommendation. Moreover, graduate student applicants can submit their theses and dissertations online.

Students who apply to the Calhoun Honors College must have been in the top ten of their high school graduating class, as well as a minimum score of 30 on the ACT or 1300 on the SAT (with a minimum score of 620 on the critical reading and math sections). Those accepted to Calhoun must maintain at least a 3.4 grade point average their freshman year.

Clemson University Financial Aid

Clemson University offers several financial aid options including loans, grants, scholarships, and student employment. Students can find detailed information with descriptions of all financial aid options on the university’s website. In addition, all appropriate forms for applying for financial assistance can be downloaded from the school’s website. Applicants should begin by filling out and submitting a Free Application for Student Aid form, which can be done online.

Clemson University Students

Campus life at Clemson University is filled with many opportunities for students. Situated in a lakeside town with a student population of over 17,000, Clemson University provides students with many recreational options. In addition, students can join any of the hundreds of student organizations available, as well as enjoy university athletics, and ongoing special events at Littlejohn Coliseum.

The city of Clemson provides fare-free public transportation called the Clemson Area Transit (CAT). These buses are available for students and residents of Clemson, and are equipped with bike racks.

The school year is really kicked off with the Welcome Back Festival, held on the Monday before the fall semester begins. A crowd of thousands gathers in downtown Clemson, where local merchants set up booths and give free food samples and merchandise to incoming Clemson students.

Downtown Clemson is within walking distance of the campus, and Greenville, about a one-hour drive away, is a popular weekend destination for students, as are the Blue Ridge Mountains to the north.

Back on campus, many Clemson students join one of the over 300 student classes and organizations, such as the Clemson Improv, Dixie Skydivers, Students for Environmental Awareness, Tigers for Tigers, Clemson Climbing Club, and the Calhoun Forensics Society, the university debate team. Those pursuing careers in journalism can work for WSBF-FM, the student radio station; CTV, the closed-circuit television station; or The Tiger, the student newspaper.

Over forty percent of Clemson students live on campus. In addition, the university has more than 400 wi-fi locations on campus, and over 300 companies recruit at Clemson every year.

Clemson University Athletics

Founded in 1889, the Clemson Tigers men’s sports include baseball, cross country, golf, football, basketball, soccer, tennis, track & field, and swimming & diving. There are eight women’s sports which include volleyball, basketball, cross country, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, rowing, and soccer.

In addition, the school has a cheerleading squad and a dancing team.

Clemson athletic program is probably best known for its football team, which competes in the NCAA’s Atlantic Coast Conference (as do most Clemson teams). The team plays in the 80,000-seat Memorial Stadium, and has one of college football’s greatest traditions—the players rubbing Howard’s Rock for good luck as they come down The Hill and take the field. Clemson alumni include former NFL stars Dwight Clark, Levon Kirkland, Brian Dawkins, and William “the Refrigerator” Perry.

Clemson also has an extensive intramural program, with 4-on-4 flag football, dodgeball, sand volleyball, softball, and ultimate Frisbee among the sixteen sports offered.

Carnegie Foundation Classification

Research Universities (high research activity)

General Characteristics

Highest offering	Doctoral degree
Calendar System	Semester
Years of college work required	N/A
Variable Tuition

Special Learning Opportunities

Distance Learning
ROTC — Army / Navy / Air Force	— / /
Study Abroad
Weekend College
Teacher Certification