Overview
Among the Best Undergraduate Colleges in New Jersey, Rowan Proudly Anchors the New South Jersey Technology Park
Rowan University is a highly ranked public university, one of the best undergraduate universities in New Jersey according to leading college catalogs, and serves 10,500 students from its location in southern New Jersey between Philadelphia and Atlantic City.
With high-tech facilities, engaged professors, and nationally ranked academic and athletic programs, Rowan offers an outstanding education at an exceptional value. Through public/private partnerships, the university is able to compete with private colleges and create opportunities not available at most state universities in New Jersey.
From its founding in 1923 as a leading school for teacher education and teacher preparation, to its current status as a top-rated, regional institution, Rowan University has had a remarkable history. Such landmark events as the 1967 Summit Conference between President Lyndon Johnson and Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin at Hollybush and the $100 million gift from Henry and Betty Rowan in 1992 truly put Rowan on the map as a place of current and future leaders and professionals.
The university maintains two New Jersey campuses: a 200-acre suburban residential setting in Glassboro and a five-story urban facility in the University District of Camden. The tree-lined Glassboro campus contains student residence halls, apartments and townhouses, a new education building, a new science center, a student recreation center, theatres, galleries, a planetarium, computer labs, and "Smart" classrooms. The university is in the midst of a $530 million plan to expand the campus and further upgrade facilities, cementing its position as among the finest undergraduate colleges in New Jersey.
Rowan intends to create a West Campus on 600 acres it recently purchased nearby. The anchor of the new tract will be the South Jersey Technology Park at Rowan University, which will play a significant role in the economic development of the region.
A Full Range of BA and BS Degrees, plus Fine Arts and Music, Makes Rowan the Right Place for Every Student
At Rowan, the Bachelor of Arts degree is offered in as many fields as any state university in New Jersey. There are degree programs in accounting, advertising, Africana studies, American studies, art (general fine arts), communication studies, early childhood education, economics, education (K-12 subject matter in art, biology, chemistry, English, history, mathematics, music, physical science, physics, Spanish, theater/speech/dramatic arts), elementary education, English, environmental studies, geography, health and exercise science (health promotion and fitness management, K-12 teacher certification), history, journalism, law and justice studies, liberal studies: humanities/social science, liberal studies: math/science, mathematics, music, political science, psychology, public relations, radio/TV/film, sociology, Spanish, theater, and writing arts.
The Bachelor of Science degree is offered in accounting, athletic training, biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering (chemical, civil and environmental, electrical and computer, mechanical), entrepreneurship, finance, human resource management, management, management information systems, marketing, mathematics, physical sciences, and physics. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is also offered at Rowan University.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is offered in studio arts (drawing and painting, ceramics, computer art, graphic design, illustration, jewelry/metallurgy, photography, printmaking, puppetry, and sculpture). The Bachelor of Music degree is offered in composition, jazz studies, music education, and performance.
All degree programs include a general education requirement (approximately 60 semester hours) from the areas of communication, science and mathematics, social and behavioral sciences, humanities and languages, and fine arts. In addition, most academic majors have specific general education courses that students in that major must take. Each degree program includes individual major requirements and free electives. A minimum of thirty semester hours is required in a major program; many departments require more.
Students are encouraged to use free electives to establish a second major, minor, or concentration; strengthen their major program; pursue personal interests; or study abroad.
Low Student-Faculty Ratio, Small Classes, and No Teaching Assistants Add Up to Personalized Learning at Rowan
Rowan University has 912 faculty members (405 full-time). The faculty's regularly scheduled office hours, participation in virtually all areas of campus governance and operations, and individual guidance and support for every student who needs them, ensures a truly personal education. Part-time and adjunct faculty members, including business leaders, industry representatives, and practicing professionals, provide valuable links with the community and offer knowledge of practical experiences to Rowan University students. The student-faculty ratio is 15:1, and all classes are taught by professors; there are no teaching assistants.
Financial Aid Programs Help Rowan Students Get the Education They Need for the Careers They Desire
Nearly 70 percent of all Rowan students receive some form of financial aid, such as grants, loans, or scholarships, from federal and state sources, alumni, friends of the university, and various other organizations. In 2008, Rowan awarded $70 million in total financial assistance to undergraduates. Students should submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1 and no later than March 15 to be evaluated for the earliest consideration.
Championship Intercollegiate Teams in NCAA Division III, and Popular Intramural Programs, Keep Rowan Athletes on the Go
Rowan has one of the strongest NCAA Division III athletics programs in the nation, earning 11 national championships. The Student Recreation Center is one of the most popular destinations on campus. It houses fitness equipment, hosts exercise classes, and is a hub for the large and popular intramural sports program.
Special Programs, Research Projects, Hands-On Experience, and Study Abroad Opportunities Enrich the Rowan Experience
Because Rowan has a low student-faculty ratio, students have the opportunity to work with faculty on several research projects funded by organizations such as the National Science Foundation, Campbell Soup Company, Pfizer, and the National Institutes of Health. Many students travel with faculty to state and national conferences where they present and publish findings from their research.
The new South Jersey Technology Park on the Rowan West campus will also give faculty and students hands-on research experience that will allow them to participate in privately and publicly funded research projects, in an area rapidly evolving into the "tech capital" of the East Coast.
Rowan University's International Center offers 200 study abroad programs in over 50 countries. Students in all majors are eligible to participate, and all financial aid and credits earned abroad count toward a Rowan degree.
