Study: Undergraduate Program

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to your questions about academics here. If you need more information, please contact the Admissions Office at (800) GO-CLARK ((800) 462-5275) or admissions@clarku.edu.

What are the most popular majors at Clark?
The four most popular majors are psychology, political science, biology and business management.
Can you please mail me a course catalog?
We do not print copies of our course catalog to mail to students. Instead, you can access the course catalog online.
Is it possible to double major at Clark?
It is possible to double major at Clark, and a number of Clark students choose to do so. Be sure to discuss this with your faculty advisor to make sure you are fulfilling all the requirements for both majors.
How many majors does Clark offer?
Clark has 32 majors. You can explore all of them, as well as our minors and interdisciplinary concentrations.
What is the difference between a minor and a concentration?
At Clark, minors give students an opportunity to gain depth in an academic area in addition to their major field of study. Concentrations are similar, but unlike minors, concentrations are interdisciplinary. Students who choose one of our concentrations will gain knowledge from several different fields of study, rather than just one academic area.
Can I create my own major at Clark?
It is possible to self-design a major at Clark. Read more about self-designed majors and the requirements.
Will I be able to do my own research at Clark as an undergraduate?
If you are interested in doing your own research, no matter what your major or particular interest, Clark is committed to helping you as much as possible. Over 40 percent of our undergraduates complete some sort of research while they are here at Clark, some on their own and others in conjunction with our faculty. In fact, students in their first year have been known to get involved in our science labs, and still other Clark students find themselves published by the time they graduate. Read more about research students have done.

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What is the Colleges of Worcester Consortium?
The Colleges of Worcester Consortium (COWC), Inc. is a 40-year-old alliance of 13 area colleges and universities that works cooperatively, both to further the missions of the member institutions individually, and to advance higher education regionally. For Clark students, this means you are able to take a limited number of courses at any of the other COWC schools. The COWC runs a shuttle service that provides transportation between many of the campuses. View a list of other COWC schools.
How many courses can I take at the schools in Worcester while enrolled at Clark?
Clark students are allowed to take one course per semester at any of the other COWC schools in Worcester beginning their sophomore year.
Is it really possible to take courses at the other schools in Worcester while taking classes at Clark?
It is, and students do it each semester. Since The Colleges of Worcester Consortium runs a shuttle between several of the campuses, students often do not even have to worry about finding transportation to get to the school at which they are taking a course.
Does Clark have an honors program?
Clark does not have a university-wide honors program, or an honors college. However, many of the departments do offer opportunities for students to graduate with honors by completing a senior project, typically a thesis or capstone. We also have three honor societies that students may be invited to join.
What is the Program of Liberal Studies?
The Program of Liberal Studies (PLS) is the core set of requirements every student must complete in order to graduate from Clark.
Do I have to complete the Program of Liberal Studies in my first year?
No, students have all four years at Clark to complete the Program of Liberal Studies.
What is a First-Year Intensive course? Do I have to take one?
First-Year Intensive (FYI) courses are a significant part of your transition from high school to Clark. Every first-year student is required to select an FYI as part of their first semester coursework. You can read more about why FYI courses are such an important part of your first year at Clark here.

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Who will be my faculty advisor?
As a first-year student, your faculty advisor will be the professor that teaches your First-Year Intensive course (see above). You will keep this faculty advisor until you declare a major, typically at the end of your sophomore year. Your new faculty advisor will be in the department in which you choose to major.
When do I have to declare a major?
Students have to declare a major by the end of their sophomore year. This gives students as much opportunity as possible to explore whatever they may be interested in before selecting their major. You can declare a major earlier, if you choose.
How many study-abroad programs does Clark offer?
Clark offers over 40 study-abroad programs in places ranging from Mexico to Japan. Read more about studying abroad.
How does the Accelerated B.A./M.A. program work? Can I really earn a master’s degree for free?
Yes, it is possible to earn a master’s degree at Clark in an accelerated fifth year of study, with the fifth year tuition free. Read about the Fifth-Year Free Accelerated B.A/M.A. and the requirements.
How difficult is it to get into the classes that I want to take?
Most students find that it is not very difficult to get into the classes that they want to take. While it is possible that some courses may fill up before some students can register, the Dean of the College’s office tries hard to make sure we offer as many sections of a course as student demand dictates. Professors are also sometimes willing to make room if a student shows a real interest in their class and comes to speak with them about it.
Does Clark offer services for students with learning disabilities?
Clark offers services to students with learning disabilities through the Academic Advising Center.
What academic support services does Clark provide?
Clark provides a wide range of academic support services through the Academic Advising Center.

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