Clayton State University’s core mission is to prepare  students to succeed in the workplace 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 2002 the University enrolled over 5,200 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 21^st Century.

The University offers baccalaureate degrees in the following areas:

·          History (B.A.)  Clayton State’s newest program provides graduates with opportunities to work in the new state and national archives next to campus.

·          Communication and Media Studies (B.A.) This program provides students with a theoretical understanding of communication and with practical skills in professional writing and speaking.

·          Psychology and Human Services (B.S.) This program prepares graduates for employment in public, non-profit, and private agencies. 

·          Business (B.B.A.)  Majors include Accounting, Management, Marketing, and General Business.  Tracks are available in Finance and Logistics.

·          Nursing, Dental Hygiene, and Health Care Management/ Administration (B.S.N., B.S.D.H., B.S., or B.A.S.)

Each of these has two approaches:

>> option for new students who are not yet R.N.'s or hygienists or

administrators

>> option for R.N.'s or dental hygienists or allied health specialists

who already hold a career associate degree.

·          Biology (B.S.) The Biology major covers several biology careers and also provides pre-professional preparation in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and physical therapy.

·          Integrative Studies (B.A. or B.S.) This degree includes pre-law, general liberal arts, and various interdisciplinary options.

·          Information Technology (B.I.T.) Students start with a certificate and cover such topics as programming languages, software development, web page production, database management, and e-commerce security.

·          Managerial options for those who hold technical associate degrees (B.A.S.) The B.A.S. majors in Administrative Management and Technology Management for advancement-minded professionals holding associate degrees in such technical fields as office administration, electronics, paralegal, computer technology, and many others.

·          Teacher Education (B.A.)  Clayton State University prepares graduates for certification in the middle grades (4 – 8). 

·          Music (B.A. and B.M.)  Clayton State offers a B.A. in music for more general musical interests and a B.M. with major programs in performance and composition. 

·          Other fields (A.A. and A.S.)  Students can start at Clayton State and take the first two years of many other baccalaureate programs including teacher education other than middle grades, liberal arts disciplines such as English, and science- and math-related disciplines such as chemistry and engineering.

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.

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:

·          developing effective communication including broad and technologically sophisticated access to information

·          recognizing and responding to the increasingly global context of contemporary life

·          promoting community-based, experiential learning to create durable and meaningful connections between education and all other aspects of life

·          focusing on continuous education and growth as a result of ongoing assessment of learning

·          understanding and developing a facility with the power and limitations of modern technology.

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 all 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:

·             A supportive campus climate, necessary services, and leadership and development opportunities, all to educate the whole person and meet the needs of students, faculty and staff.

          As a metropolitan institution, Clayton State provides an array of student services designed to meet the varied needs of students of differing ages and interests.  Opportunities for leadership development are provided through an honors program, a wide range of student organizations, and an active Student Gov­ernment Association.  Cultural and educational enhancements are offered to students and the community through the widely recognized Lyceum and Spivey Hall programming.

·             Cultural, ethnic, racial, and gender diversity in the faculty, staff, and student body, supported by practices and programs that embody the ideals of an open, democratic, and global society.

          Clayton State particularly values ethnic and racial diversity.  The University has the highest percentage of minority enrollment of any institution in the University System of Georgia except for the historically black universities and is experiencing growth in its international student population.  Clayton State University is committed to highlighting global contexts throughout its pro­grams and services.

·                Technology to advance educational purposes, including instructional technology, student support services, and distance education.

          Clayton State is dedicated to placing a major emphasis on technologically advanced access to information and to ensur­ing that all students acquire a working familiarity with the uses, limitations, and ethical implications of modern informational technology.

·             Collaborative relationships with other University System institutions, state agencies, local schools and technical institutes, and business and industry, sharing physical, human, information, and other resources to expand and enhance programs and services available to the citizens of Georgia.

          A pioneer in cooperation with the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education, Clayton State has advanced this relationship to the baccalaureate level through the Bachelor of Applied Science degree program.  The University has also been a leader in building partnerships with local school systems to train teachers and to raise the educational aspirations of school children.  An emphasis on community-based experiential learning strengthens the connection between formal education and life.

·             A commitment to excellence and responsiveness within a scope of influence defined by the needs of an area of the state, and by particularly outstanding programs or distinctive characteristics that have a magnet effect throughout the region or state.

          Given the proximity of Hartsfield International Airport and the rapid development of the Interstate 75 corridor, the region is poised on the threshold of dramatic change.  Clayton State has a special role to play in helping to ensure that the economic and cultural development of its region keeps pace with other areas of metropolitan Atlanta.  The internationally acclaimed Spivey Hall concert facility and the support provided by the Spivey Foundation positions the University for national excellence in music education.

·             A commitment to a teaching/learning environment, both inside and outside the classroom, that sustains instructional excellence, serves a diverse and college-prepared student body, promotes high levels of student achievement, offers academic assistance, and provides developmental studies programs for a limited student cohort.

          As a commu­nity-based institution, Clayton State is committed to serving young learners and life-long learners alike.  Flexible hours, multiple instructional sites, and distance learning promote access within the context of admission standards that promote excellence.  A leader in the assessment of student learning outcomes, Clayton State uses individual assessment results for placement and feedback and draws on aggregate results to inform program improvement.

·             A high-quality general education program supporting a variety of disciplinary, interdisciplinary, and professional academic programming at the baccalaureate level, with selected master’s and educational specialist degrees, and selected associate degree programs based on area need and/or institutional collaborations.

          Defining general education outcomes and explicitly focusing curricula to achieve them has been a hallmark of Clayton State, and the University aspires to continued leadership in this domain.  At Clayton State, students will find career-oriented education with a solid liberal arts foundation.  Associate and baccalaureate majors, including integrated and interdisciplinary programming, focus on clearly defined student learning outcomes.  Graduate programming will be undertaken by the University in collaboration with other institutions as community needs dictate.

·             A commitment to public service, continuing education, technical assistance, and economic development activities that address the needs, improve the quality of life, and raise the educational level within the University’s scope of influence.

          Clayton State University provides a strong resource for the Southern Crescent in these areas through its varied educational programming.  The University’s continuing educa­tion and community services program is one of the state’s largest and provides direct educational and technical support to the economic development of the communities served.  In addition, Spivey Hall’s outreach programs serve the cultural needs of the community and develop future audiences.

·             A commitment to scholarly and creative work to enhance instructional effectiveness and to encourage faculty scholarly pursuits, and a commitment to applied research in selected areas of institutional strength and area need. 

          The University is committed to a continuing investment in its faculty development program, which is specifically designed to enhance areas such as the use of instructional technology and applied research to benefit the campus and community.

Clayton State University (Clayton State University) opened in 1969 as Clayton Junior College, with Dr. Harry S. Downs as the founding president.  The Board of Regents elevated the institution to baccalaureate status in 1986 and established the present name in 1996.

In April 2000, Dr. Stephen R. Portch, Chancellor of the University System of Georgia, announced that the Board of Regents had selected Dr. Thomas K. Harden as the new president for Clayton State University effective in June of that year.   

The beginning of the University can be traced to 1965 when the Board of Regents authorized three new junior colleges for the University System, one of which was designated for south metropolitan Atlanta.  The Board considered several locations in the region, and chose the present site in Clayton County because of the unique combination of natural beauty and easy access to the then recently completed Interstate 75.  The citizens of Clayton County subsidized the initial construction of the state institution by passing a bond issue for nearly five million dollars.  Construction of the new campus began in fall 1968, and the doors opened to 942 students less than a year later on September 30, 1969. 

In 1981 the University added a technical division offering applied associate degrees and certificates in cooperation with the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education.  Five years later Clayton State began its baccalaureate mission with programs in business administration and nursing.  The institution has continued to add majors at the bachelor’s level while maintaining several technical associate degree and certificate programs.  Through the establishment of the Bachelor of Applied Science degree, Clayton State University emerged as a national leader in promoting opportunities for graduates from applied associate degree programs to “bridge” to bachelor’s degrees with little, if any, loss of credit.  The University also has one of the largest continuing education programs in the state.

Upon the retirement of Harry Downs in January 1994, Dr. Richard A. Skinner became the University’s second president.  In June 1999, Skinner left Clayton State to head the University System of Georgia’s new distance learning initiative known as GLOBE.  Michael F. Vollmer, Clayton State’s acting Vice President for Fiscal Affairs and former Interim President of Middle Georgia College, served as Interim President for one year until President Harden took office in June 2000.

Clayton State University now enrolls over 5,200 students in degree credit programs that, in the words of the University’s mission, provide “career-oriented education with a solid liberal arts foundation.” Current bachelor’s degree majors include History (B.A.), Biology (B.S.), Middle Level Education (B.A.), Nursing (B.S.N.), Health Care Management/Administration (B.S. and B.A.S.), Dental Hygiene (B.S.D.H. and B.A.S.), Psychology and Human Services (B.S.), Communication and Media Studies (B.A.), Music (B.A. and B.M.), Technology Management (B.A.S.), Administrative Management (B.A.S.), Integrative Studies (B.A. or B.S.), and four fields of business administration (B.B.A.).  One of the University’s largest majors is Information Technology (B.I.T.), which is built on a “career ladder” concept that prepares students for professional opportunities at two steps prior to the bachelor’s degree. Other baccalaureate programs are under development.

Clayton State’s mission commits it to “placing a major emphasis on technologically advanced access to information and to ensuring that all students acquire a working familiarity with the uses, limitations, and ethical implications of modern information technology.”  To that end, in January 1998 Clayton State University became the first institution in the Southeast and one of the first in the nation to start issuing notebook computers to all students at all levels in all majors.  This “Information Technology Project” (ITP) has transformed the campus and made Clayton State a national pioneer in “ubiquitous computing.”  In Fall 2001, the University entered a new phase called “ITP-Choice,” which maintains the requirement for ubiquitous mobile computing but gives students the opportunity to obtain computers on their own rather than having the institution supply them.

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:

        Veterans Administration Benefits

        Federal College Work Study Program

        Regents’ Scholarships

        Federal Perkins Loans

        Federal Nursing Loans

        Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Grants

        Federal Guaranteed Student Loans

        Federal Pell Grants

        Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants

        Georgia Student Incentive Grants

        Postsecondary Option Program

        HOPE Grant

        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 Schwietzer Memorial Organ with its tasteful, yet ornate casework is the focal point of this hall. 

        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:

·          visit the Harry S. Downs Continuing Education Center on the main campus of Clayton State University in Morrow,

·          see the Clayton State University Continuing Education newsletter which is mailed several times each year to thousands of metro area homes,

·          go to the Clayton State University homepage, www.clayton.edu, and click on "Continuing Education", and/or

·          call 770-961-3550.

The Clayton State University Office of External Relations comprises the University’s professional services in the fields of alumni relations, communications, and development.

      Among the functions performed by External Relations are: building stronger relationships with alumni and donors, raising funds for campus projects, creating and monitoring the University’s image and identity, producing recruitment materials, and generally marketing the University through all relevant media, including the World Wide Web, advertising in a variety of print and electronic media, and through public and media relations.

      In addition to serving Clayton State students, faculty, staff, and alumni, External Relations also serves the larger community and builds regional partnerships with organizations and businesses focused on economic, community, and leadership development.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

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.

Office of University Image and Communications

      The Office of University Image and Communications serves to oversee the many functions that affect how the University is presented and perceived.  These functions include planning, directing, and coordinating the content, appearance, and development of the Web site, one of the University’s most essential marketing tools.  The Office also supports the Image Council, a standing council appointed by the President that is responsible for creating and/or coordinating any and all integrated marketing strategies, activities, and efforts of Clayton State. 

      Advertising and marketing initiatives recommended by the Image Council will receive collaboration from this office and others on campus to promote a unified and consistent University identity and image. The Office also assures compliance with The Image Book, a publication of the Image Council and the official communications and style guide for the University.  Monitoring, maintaining and implementing image conformity across all media, i.e., Web sites, advertisements, letterhead, etc., is also an integral responsibility of this office.

Office of University Relations

      The basic function of the Clayton State Office of University Relations is to promote the University, its faculty, staff and students, to any and all interested publics – including our own.

      As the University’s in-house public relations agency -- a service bureau for all of Clayton State -- University Relations literally relates to other faculty and staff members, to students, to the news media, to the public in general. University Relations is also about promoting and creating a positive image for Clayton State through various media, including; news releases, photography, Campus Review and other select University publications, the “About Clayton State” web page, the Campus Calendar and serving as the University’s information source and unofficial historian. In addition, a vital part of University Relations involves internal relations – fostering communications and goodwill among the Clayton State community.

The Clayton State University Foundation, Inc., was chartered in September of 1974.  A non-profit corporation, the Foundation was established primarily to assist and support Clayton State University in the pursuit of excellence in programs and services and to assist and encourage citizens of our community in their pursuit of an education.

An annual program of work established by the Board of Trustees of the Foundation focuses on scholarships for area high school students to attend Clayton State University; awards for outstanding students, faculty and staff already associated with the University; and the establishment of an Endowment Fund to insure support of programs of the Foundation in future years.

The Foundation welcomes interest in its programs and goals and is in a position to accept support for special programs that citizens may wish to identify.

Current members of the Board are:

Officers

Mr. John E. Parkerson Jr., Jonesboro, Chair

Mr. Robert W. Lee, Stockbridge, Vice-Chair

Ms. Vicki T. Borders, Fayetteville, Secretary/Treasurer

Ms. Starr S. Helms, Tyrone, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer