Clemson University was developed from the estate of Ambassador Thomas Green Clemson in November 1889 after approval by Governor John Peter Richardson III. Under the Morrill Act, Clemson was originally an all-white, all-male military institute with polytechnic studies. During its 128-year history, Clemson University has transitioned into a top-tier public, sea-grant RU/VH college within the Atlantic Coast Conference. Along with its 17,500-acre Experimental Forest, Clemson holds 1,400 rural acres within the Blue Ridge Mountains in South Carolina's Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson Metro near Lake Hartwell. Endowed for $621.3 million, Clemson operates nine schools both on-site and online for its 23,406 enrolled Tigers. Famous alumni of Clemson University include Nikki Haley, Nancy O'Dell, Dolph Lundgren, Strom Thurmond, and Harvey Gantt.
According to the U.S. News, Clemson University is the 66th best national college, 41st most veteran-friendly campus, and 23rd top public school. In particular, Clemson houses America's 10th best online master's education and 31st top online graduate engineering degrees. Forbes crowned Clemson the 95th best value and 69th top research institute nationally. On Niche, Clemson University stands as the 24th best big college with the 37th best student life countrywide. Times Higher Education positioned Clemson as the 189th best U.S. college and among the top 600 global universities. Clemson University was applauded as the 71st best college for low-income students in The New York Times. Clemson also landed seventh nationally for best ROI on PayScale.
Clemson University Accreditation Details
Reaffirmed in 2013 under President Dr. James P. Clements, Clemson University holds the maximum 10-year accreditation without public sanctions from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). This Level VI regional approval is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and South Carolina Department of Education. Clemson's online programs also have accreditations from:
- Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)
- Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- American Council for Construction Education (ACCE)
- National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA)
Clemson University Application Requirements
Pursuing online master's degrees at Clemson University means passing the "more selective" admission rate of 51 percent. Located in Martin Hall, the Graduate School seeks applicants who have finished a four-year baccalaureate in a relevant field at a regionally accredited U.S. college. Foreign students studying on F-1 visas need certified transcripts and a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 90 or equivalent. Master's programs generally mandate an overall 3.0 GPA or better, though some rise to 3.5. Submitted GRE and GMAT scores should rank above the 75th percentile. Online post-grads must have at least one year of approved, full-time industry experience. The Online M.Ed. also requires being a certified South Carolina PreK-12 teacher.
Hopeful post-grad Clemson Tigers will submit the online application via ApplyWeb.com before their desired program's established deadlines. For example, the PRTM Program has deadlines of May 31st for Fall and October 31st for Spring. Non-refundable application fees are currently $80 for domestic and $90 for international students. Don't forget to submit the following online or by mail to 209-E Martin Hall in Clemson, SC 29634:
- Official bachelor's degree transcript
- Graduate entrance exams (GRE/GMAT)
- Two to three letters of recommendation
- Detailed resume or CV of industry experience
- Typed, 500-word personal goals statement
- Tests of English language fluency if applicable
Tuition and Financial Aid
The NCES reports that traditional full-time grads at Clemson University will pay $8,826 in-state and $18,424 out-of-state for annual tuition. That's topped with the hefty room and board price of $9,144 yearly. Clemson Online programs follow a different, cost-effective pay structure though. Tier 2 online degrees like the M.Eng. in Industrial Engineering will cost $864 per credit. Tier 3 online programs like the M.S. in Athletic Leadership are billing $695 per credit. Tier 4 online degrees like the M.S. in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management cost $570 per credit. Tier 5 online programs like the Non-Thesis M.S. in Biological Sciences are priced at $428 per credit.
Approximately 92 percent of beginning, full-time Clemson students receive financial aid for an average amount of $10,514. Online master's students would qualify for the Federal Direct Unsubsidized and Grad PLUS loans. Master of Education (M.Ed.) graduates could benefit from the South Carolina Teacher Loan Cancellation Program. Some receive the $4,000 TEACH Grant for fulfilling in-demand specialties in low-income areas. The Graduate School offers the R.C. Edwards Fellowships and George R. MacDonald Fellowships for at least $1,000. Those living near campus also claim graduate assistantships starting each August with tuition waivers and stipends.
Online Degrees Available
Directed by Dennis Lester, PhD, Clemson Online uses Canvas to provide 10 master's programs with the same high-quality education standards. There's also two post-baccalaureate certificates for Youth Development and Athletic Leadership. Featuring an 18:1 student-faculty ratio, Clemson keeps courses engaging along with 24/7 tech support. Cutting-edge technologies like Adobe Connect, Cisco WebEx, Ensemble Studio, and Google Hangout keep virtual learning close-knit. In fact, Clemson University has won the Online Learning Consortium's Distance Education Innovation Award and Effective Practice Award. Here are two sample post-grad degrees available online for Clemson Tigers:
Master of Construction Science Management
Authorized in all 50 states, Clemson's Master of Construction Management offers thesis and non-thesis tracks online for working professionals to learn the latest business techniques for improving the administration of building projects. The 36-credit online master's requires a "B" average through courses like construction control systems, financial analysis, marketing, scheduling, and personnel management. Awarded to 231 alums, the MCSM boasts a 100 percent job placement rate at industry leaders, including BE&K Building Group, Moss & Associates, Fluor Corp., and SteelFab of South Carolina.
Master of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management
Fully NRPA accredited, the Master of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management at Clemson can be finished 100 percent online by post-grads seeking the administrative skills to direct leisure and therapeutic programs for community outreach. The 30-credit, non-thesis degree has four concentrations: Recreational Therapy, Community Recreation Management, Travel and Tourism Management, or Parks and Conservation Areas Management. Synchronous, six-week online courses could be supplemented with internships at Devil's Fork National Park, the Leisure Skills Workshop, and PRTM E.D.G.E. trips from South Africa to the United Kingdom.
Other online offerings at Clemson University include the M.A. in Public Administration, M.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology, M.S. in Youth Development Leadership, M.Ed. in Teaching and Learning, M.S. in Biological Sciences, and Master of Human Resource Development.