Chatham University

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Quick Stats
Woodland Road

Pittsburgh, PA 15232

[map]
Phone: (412) 365-1100
2011-2012 Tuition
$30,312
tuition and fees
Admissions
Aug. 1
application deadline
67.5%
accepted

More Information

_

U.S. News Rankings

Ranking score and category
U.S. News rank Category Name
#60 Regional Universities (North)

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Summary

Chatham University is a private institution that was founded in 1869. It has an urban setting and the campus size is 427 acres. It utilizes a other-based academic calendar. Chatham University's ranking in the 2012 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Universities (North), 60. Its tuition and fees are $30,312 (2011-12).

The school once known as Pennsylvania Female College is now Chatham University, a women’s college and coed graduate school in Pittsburgh. Now split into three academic divisions, the school accepts only female students to the undergraduate Chatham College for Women. Both male and female students are eligible for graduate degrees through the Chatham College for Graduate Studies and the College for Continuing and Professional Studies, which also offers non-degree and certificate programs. In total, more than 90 percent of all Chatham students are female. The university offers about 40 undergraduate degree programs, and students can also design their own major or minor. Through the Chatham Accelerated Graduate Program, students can earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in five years. For graduate studies, students can pursue graduate health degrees, including nursing, occupational therapy, and a physician assistant program, at Chatham or a degree at the Carnegie Mellon University Heinz School of Public Policy & Management, which partners with Chatham for the accelerated program.  

Outside of class, students have a variety of organizations to consider, including Social Work is Real (SWIRL), which encourages community involvement, and Communiqué, the student newspaper. The Chatham athletic teams, the Cougars, compete in the NCAA Division III Presidents’ Athletic Conference. All undergraduates must live on campus for their first two years of school, unless they commute from a parent’s home within 30 miles of campus. Notable alumnae of Chatham University include the late Rachel Carson, a famed environmentalist and namesake of the university’s Rachel Carson Institute, and Judy Bachrach, contributing editor of Vanity Fair.

School mission (as provided by the school):

Chatham University prepares students from around the world to develop solutions to some of the world's biggest challenges. Every Chatham student -- women in Chatham's historic women's residential college, and men and women in Chatham's graduate programs -- receives a highly individualized, experiential educational experience that is informed by Chatham's strong institutional commitment to globalism, the environment and citizen leadership. Founded in 1869, Chatham University includes the Shadyside Campus, with Chatham Eastside and the historic 39-acre Woodland Road arboretum; and the 388-acre Eden Hall Campus north of Pittsburgh.

The University consists of three distinctive Colleges: Chatham College for Women houses academic and co-curricular programs for undergraduate women and embodies the traditions and rituals of one of the nation's oldest colleges for women. The College for Graduate Studies offers women and men both master's and doctoral programs with concentrations in interior and landscape architecture, business, counseling psychology, film, health sciences, nursing, teaching, and writing. The College for Continuing and Professional Studies provides online and hybrid undergraduate and graduate degree programs through the doctoral level for women and men, certificate programs, and community programming.

Location and Environment
Chatham University is home to nearly 2,200 undergraduate and graduate students, both on campus and studying online around the world. Students' personal, professional, and leadership skills are developed to their fullest potential through internships, study abroad, service-learning and leadership training opportunities, and personal development seminars. All first-year students receive tablet computers which are integrated into coursework and provide access to a wireless campus network. The student-teacher ratio at Chatham College for Women is 10:1, which ensures greater interaction between students and faculty. All undergraduate faculty members hold terminal degrees in their respective fields.

The University's 4-4-1 academic calendar consists of fall and spring terms plus a three-week Maymester which features study abroad, concentrated study, experiential projects, travel and field experiences, internships, interdisciplinary study, and exchanges with other colleges abroad.

Academic Opportunities
Undergraduate students may choose a traditional major, an interdisciplinary major, a double major, or a self-designed major. Pre-professional programs are offered in education with teaching certification, law, medicine and health professions, physical therapy, and veterinary medicine. Teacher certification is available through the education program in early childhood, elementary, environmental, school counseling, special education, and secondary education.

The Accelerated Graduate Program allows undergraduates to apply to one of the University's graduate programs during her junior year, and thereby earn both a bachelor's and master's degree in as few as five years. Chatham also offers an Accelerated Graduate Program with the H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University.

Off-Campus Opportunities
Chatham's undergraduate and graduate students can access Pittsburgh's dynamic career, cultural, and entertainment opportunities. Students may cross-register with any of eight other colleges and universities, including Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh.

Extra-curricular learning and service are also important components to a Chatham education. Most students complete at least two internships or career-related experiences in their fields. Chatham Abroad, a multi-week travel experience with classmates and faculty, has taken students to Belize, Galapagos Islands, Morocco, Egypt, Italy, Spain, France, Ireland, England, Russia, Norway, Iceland, Greece, and Haiti.

General Information

School type private, women's college
Year founded 1869
Religious affiliation N/A
Academic calendar other
Setting urban
2010 Endowment N/A

Applying

When applying to Chatham University, it's important to note the application deadline is August 1. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due August 1. The application fee at Chatham University is $35. It is selective, with an acceptance rate of 67.5 percent.

For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.

Selectivity selective
Fall 2010 acceptance rate 68%
Application deadline August 1
SAT/ACT scores must be received by August 1

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Academic Life

The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 70.0 percent.

Class sizes N/A
Student-faculty ratio N/A
4-year graduation rate N/A
Five most popular majors for 2010 graduates
Information not available

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Student Life

Chatham University is part of the NCAA III athletic conference.

Total enrollment N/A
Student gender distribution N/A
Undergraduate men who are members of a fraternity N/A
Undergraduate women who are members of a sorority N/A
Collegiate athletic association NCAA III

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Campus Info & Services

Chatham University offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, placement service, health service, and health insurance. Chatham University also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Of the students at Chatham University, 50 percent have cars on campus. Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at Chatham University.

Students who have cars on campus 50% - Medium
Health insurance offered Yes
Students required to own/lease a computer Yes

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Paying for School

Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs.

Tuition and fees $30,312 (2011-12)
Room and board $9,476 (2011-12) - Medium
Financial aid statistics N/A

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* Overview details based on 2010 data

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