DESCRIPTION OF THE UNIVERSITY
MISSION OF THE UNIVERSITY
ACCREDITATION AND APPROVALS
Clayton State University ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
SPIVEY HALL
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Clayton State University’s core mission is to "prepare students to succeed in the world of work in the 21st Century." This is accomplished by providing "career-oriented education with a solid liberal arts foundation."
During more than 30 years of service to south metropolitan Atlanta, Clayton State University (Clayton State University) has effectively responded to the needs of its community. In the fall of 2000 the University enrolled over 4,500 students in credit programs. Thousands more attended non-credit classes through the Continuing Education Center. In all cases, the University is dedicated to helping students develop into capable, productive citizens through its baccalaureate degree, associate degree, certificate, and continuing education programs.
The foundation for all degree programs is a strong general education curriculum designed to enable students to develop communication and critical thinking skills and to acquire the broad and varied perspectives essential for understanding today’s world. Central to the general education program and to major programs is an emphasis on the assessment of each student’s progress toward the desired learning outcomes.
Clayton State is committed to using up-to-date information technology to enhance student learning. Accordingly, in 1998 Clayton State University became one of the first universities in the nation to require that all of its students be equipped with notebook computers. This "Information Technology Project" continues in modified form as the University enters the 21st Century.
The University offers baccalaureate degrees in the following areas:
These baccalaureate degree programs are designed to develop graduates who have the abilities and knowledge essential to successful career performance. The University provides career guidance services and strongly encourages students to acquire work experiences before graduation.
Clayton State University also offers its students a variety of career associate degree and certificate programs.
Students admitted to the University are eligible to accelerate their studies through examination and by experience. Advanced high school students are encouraged to begin their first year of college work while completing high school through the Freshman Scholar Program.
In addition, the University offers a Learning Support Program for students whose academic records indicate that they are not yet prepared to do college-level work and for students returning to an academic atmosphere who require a review of basic academic skills.
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Clayton State University has a demonstrated commitment of service to its community and region -- particularly the Southern Crescent of metropolitan Atlanta. Bringing educational opportunities to the citizens and businesses of the Southern Crescent to contribute to the region’s future development is central to the University’s mission and aspirations.
As Georgia’s only university that also houses a regional technical institute, Clayton State is a unique institution. This status enables the University to serve as a practical bridge between Georgia’s two systems of post-secondary education and between the liberal arts and specialized career/vocational education.
Clayton State University’s core mission is to provide superior career-oriented studies that will prepare students to succeed in the world of work in the 21st Century and to provide services and continuing education that will assist the Southern Crescent and the state in improving the quality of life for residents. In approaching this mission, the University incorporates five common elements in all of its programs and services:
As a senior institution of the University System of Georgia, Clayton State shares characteristics with all of its sister institutions and with the state universities in particular. The portions of the mission common to Board of Regents institutions in the state university sector are indicated in the italicized portion of each bullet. Clayton State University's unique characteristics and its five common thematic elements are reflected below in the regular print portion of each bullet:
Clayton State University is a unit of the University System of Georgia; therefore, credits earned within College Transfer Programs at the University are accepted by all other units of the University System.
Clayton State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097: Telephone number 404-679-4501) to award the associate degree and the baccalaureate degree.
The University also is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, the Georgia Board of Nursing, and the National League for Nursing.
The University’s teacher preparation program is approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission and is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
The University has been approved for the following state and federal programs:
Membership in the Clayton State University Alumni Association is open to all former students of the institution. Faculty, staff, current students, and other friends of the University are also invited to participate in many activities of the Alumni Association.
The Alumni Association provides opportunities for former students to be of service to and involved with the University in several ways. The alumni organization schedules various on- and off-campus events throughout the year.
For more information about Alumni Association membership and programs, please call the Office of Alumni Relations at 770-961-3580, or go to www.clayton.edu.
Nestled lakeside on the campus of Clayton State University is Spivey Hall, an elegant world-class 400-seat concert hall with incomparable acoustics. Presenting renowned musicians through superior classical and jazz music series as well as a series of student performances and community ensembles has earned Spivey Hall widespread recognition from artists, media, and audiences, both nationally and internationally.
Spivey Hall is also the primary performance space for the Clayton State University Music Department, which presents an extensive series of student and faculty recitals, musical theatre productions, and opera.
National Public Radio’s "Performance Today" broadcasts more concerts recordings from Spivey Hall than any other hall in America. Superb acoustics have also made Spivey Hall the choice location for full-scale recording projects by major artists in the classical music genre. Dedicated in May 1992, Spivey Hall’s 79-rank Albert Schweitzer Memorial Organ with its tasteful, yet ornate casework is the focal point of this hall. The 2001-2002 season marks the ten year celebration of the Ruffatti organ.
In addition, to Spivey Hall's extensive concert-series, the Spivey Hall Education Committee’s award-winning education programs serve metropolitan Atlanta area schools. This collaboration between a performance venue and numerous area school systems has produced the Student Concert Series, Spivey Hall Children’s Choir, Master Classes, Spivey Hall Choral Workshop and Chamber Orchestra Worship, and Teacher Staff Development Programs.
Clayton State University is dedicated to serving the educational and cultural needs of Atlanta’s Southern Crescent. As an institution of the University System of Georgia, the University shares with its sister institutions the philosophy that such service extends beyond purely academic offerings to the special educational and cultural needs of the community itself, especially through continuing education for adults. It is the mission of Continuing Education and Community Outreach to provide for adults high-quality learning experiences which are affordable and accessible. Through the educational resources of the University, Continuing Education and Community Outreach works with community organizations and area businesses to foster economic development and improve the quality of life. Clayton State University contributes most significantly to economic growth by educating the area’s work force. The University has demonstrated this commitment by training Georgia workers from more than 1,000 companies, both large and small, during the past four years.
Continuing Education and Community Outreach is housed in the three-story, 48,000-square-foot Harry S. Downs Center for Continuing Education on the picturesque southwest bank of the University's 12-acre lake. This facility supports the Continuing Education Program with a number of features that benefit area businesses and industries. These include state-of-the-art computer labs, seminar rooms, a large multi-purpose room, and a specially designed conference room where area businesses can hold board meetings. This facility also contains a three-story atrium for dining and receptions and a full-service kitchen.
The staff in Continuing Education are always eager to discuss with individuals or community groups some of the special educational and cultural needs which may be met through the resources of Clayton State University, through the resources of another institution, through the University System or Georgia, or through institutional cooperation. More than 18,000 persons participate in continuing education courses offered through Continuing Education and Community Outreach annually.
For information about enrolling in Continuing Education courses and activities, please do one of the following: