CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY
Orange, California
The University
During its 143-year history, Chapman has evolved from a small, traditional liberal arts college that was founded in 1861 by members of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) into a midsized comprehensive liberal arts and sciences university that is distinguished for its nationally recognized programs in film and television production, business and economics, music, education, communication arts, and the natural and applied sciences. The mission of Chapman University is to provide personalized education of distinction that leads to inquiring, ethical, and productive lives as global citizens.
Chapmans parklike ivy-covered, tree-lined campus features a blending of fully refurbished historic structures with the newest in state-of-the-art Internet and satellite-connected learning environments. Five residence halls and six on-campus apartment buildings are conveniently located on the edge of the campus. Prominent in the center of the campus is Liberty Plaza, featuring a raised replica of a Lincoln chair that views a 10-ton section of the Berlin Wall.
Chapman Universitys academic structure includes the Wilkinson College of Letters and Sciences, the CILECT-accredited Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, the AACSB Internationalaccredited Argyros School of Business and Economics, the School of Communication Arts, the CTC-approved School of Education, the ABA-accredited School of Law, and the NASM-accredited School of Music. Other nationally accredited programs include the IFT-accredited program in food sciences and the APTA-accredited program in physical therapy. Chapman has been further recognized by the Templeton Foundation as one of only 100 colleges nationally to be designated as a Templeton Foundation Character-Building College for its emphasis on global citizenry and for student involvement in community action and stewardship activities.
In addition to approximately 5,100 undergraduate, graduate, and professional school students enrolled on the campus in Orange, Chapman also enrolls another 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students annually through its Chapman University College and associated network of thirty University College corporate campus centers located in California and Washington.
The University environment is electric, involving, and outdoor-oriented. Along with the obvious benefits associated with the southern California climate, Chapman students enjoy a dynamic and involving student activities program. Although predominantly from California, Chapman students come from forty states; in addition, approximately 10 percent of its students come from thirty-four other countries. Over the past five years, Chapman students have been named Truman Scholars, Coro Fellows, USA Today All-USA College Academic Team members, NCAA All-Americans, and NCAA Academic All-Americans. Chapmans long and distinguished heritage in intercollegiate athletics includes five NCAA national championships in baseball, tennis, and softball. Chapman competes as an independent in the NCAA Division III level and fields teams in baseball, basketball (m/w), crew (m/w), cross-country (m/w), football, golf, lacrosse, soccer (m/w), softball, swimming (w), tennis (m/w), track and field (m/w), volleyball (w), and water polo (m/w). Approximately 20 percent of Chapmans student body participates in intercollegiate athletics. In 2003, 4 student-athletes were named NCAA All-Americans and 14 as NCAA Academic All-Americans.
More than seventy clubs and organizations are available, many with commitments to a wide range of community service efforts. Chapmans Greek system includes five nationally chartered fraternities for men and five nationally chartered sororities for women. A comprehensive intramural sports program involves myriad sports activities for all campus community members throughout the school year. On-campus intercollegiate athletic events and music, art, and theater productions provide students with extensive extracurricular activity options. Chapmans proximity to area recreational and cultural opportunities allows Chapman students to enjoy the essence of what makes Orange Countys south coast area an enviable environment in which to live and learn.
Prominent Chapman alumni include the Honorable Loretta Sanchez (88), member of Congress; the Honorable David Bonior (72), member of Congress; Jose Gomez (75), member of the Panamanian National Assembly; television and film producers John Copeland (73) and John David Currey (98); cinematographer Gene Jackson (70); television sports analyst and former UCLA basketball coach Steve Lavin (88); major league baseball executive Gordon Blakely (76); former major league baseball stars Gary Lucas (80), Tim Flannery (80), Marty Castillo (80), and Randy Jones (72); Tony Award nominee and star of Broadways Showboat, Michel Bell (68); and current U.S. Ambassador to Spain and philanthropist George L. Argyros (65).
Location
Orange County, California, was recently rated by Places Rated Almanac as the #1 place to live in North America, citing superior climate, cultural, recreational, educational, and career-entree opportunities. Los Angeles is 35 miles to the north, and San Diego is 80 miles to the south. Nearby entertainment venues include Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, the Orange County Performing Arts Center, major-league baseball, and hockey. Pristine West Coast beaches are less than 10 miles from the campus, and seasonal snow skiing is 90 minutes away. The average year-round temperature on campus is 71 Fahrenheit, and the prevailing sea breeze coming off nearby southwest-facing beaches keeps the air clean and smog free.
Majors and Degrees
Chapman awards the Bachelor of Arts degree in the fields of art, biology, chemistry, communications, dance, economics, English and comparative literature, film and television, French, history, liberal studies (teaching), music, peace studies, philosophy, physical education, political science, psychology, religion, social science, sociology, Spanish, and theater. The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is offered in creative writing, dance performance, film production, graphic design, studio art, television and broadcast journalism, and theater performance. The Bachelor of Science degree is offered in accounting, applied mathematics, biology, business administration, chemistry, computer information systems, computer science, environmental science, food science and nutrition, and natural science. The Bachelor of Music degree is granted in composition, conducting, music education (vocal and instrumental), music performance (vocal and instrumental), and music therapy. Preprofessional or prevocational programs are offered in dentistry, law, medicine, physical therapy, social service, teaching, theology, and veterinary medicine.
Academic Programs
The requirements for graduation are commensurate with the liberal arts philosophy of education maintained by Chapman. The program of studies is designed to ensure a breadth of subject matter selection in the liberal arts as well as depth of preparation in the student's major field. The minimum graduation requirements include successful completion (C average) of 124 semester credits, of which 36 must be earned in the upper division. Competence in reading, written communication, oral communication, computation, and library usage is required of all students. Chapman's general education sequence provides a broad introduction to the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Students select general education classes with the guidance of their faculty adviser. A maximum of 32 semester credits may be gained through Advanced Placement (AP), College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), and departmental examinations.
Chapman's academic year operates on a 4-1-4 modified semester system. January is reserved for an optional Interterm. The University College corporate campus locations offer five 10-week terms annually.
Ample opportunities are available for alternative learning experiences. Internships and cooperative education programs are recommended. Students may also undertake in-depth individual study or research in their major field in conjunction with a faculty member.
Academic Facilities
Major facilities additions to the Chapman campus over the past year include the completion of the 100,000-square-foot Leatherby Libraries complex, housing eight discipline-specific individual libraries, a sculpture garden, cyber courtyard, and 24-hour study commons and coffee bar; the Oliphant Hall addition to the School of Music, which includes 24,000 square feet featuring fourteen teaching studios, a sixty-seat lecture hall, music therapy laboratory, and orchestra hall; and the new Interfaith Center, which features the 12,500-square-foot Wallace All-Faiths Chapel. The 90,000-square-foot Argyros Forum includes the primary campus dining area and conference and classroom facilities. The 1,000-seat Memorial Auditorium is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Athletic facilities include the 4,000-seat Hutton Sports Center arena, a 5,000-seat outdoor stadium, four championship tennis courts, and training and fitness facilities for the campus and surrounding community. The recently completed Arnold Beckman Hall is the center for business and information technology, including the Argyros School of Business and Economics, the A. Gary Anderson Center for Economic Research, the Ralph Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics, and the Walter Schmid Center for International Business. The School of Communication Arts includes the Guggenheim Art Gallery and the 250-seat repertory-style Waltmar Theatre. The Hashinger Science Center features laboratories for nuclear science, radiation, crystallographpy, genetics, food science, and physical therapy.
Costs
For the 200405 academic year, full-time tuition and fees (including accident and sickness fee, health center fee, and associated student membership fee) are $26,150. Annual room and board costs average $9082. Books are estimated to cost $700 per year.
Financial Aid
More than 85 percent of Chapman students benefit from some form of financial aid or scholarship assistance. Need-based financial awards include a combination of grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study jobs on campus. Awards are renewable, assuming that students complete the annual application process on time. By using a combination of Chapman's internal resources and federal and state funding, an individual financial aid package can be tailored to meet the student's financial need. Merit and talent scholarship awards, regardless of financial need, round out the types of financial assistance that Chapman offers. Chapman offers an Early Aid Estimator service that gives students an up-front picture of what their prospective aid/scholarship eligibility is, rather than waiting for the postadmission, official aid-awarding period. Students asking for information about Chapman automatically receive the Early Aid Estimator form, along with instructions for completion and submission for analysis.
Faculty
The University's faculty is composed of 256 full-time and 288 part-time members, more than 80 percent of whom hold doctoral or other terminal degrees. Their primary commitment is to undergraduate teaching, although most are also actively involved in scholarly research and publication. Many faculty members teach both undergraduate and graduate courses. Teaching assistants or graduate assistants are not used for the instruction of undergraduate classes. Chapman's favorable student-faculty ratio of 16:1 allows extensive interaction between the faculty members and students.
Student Government
Chapman has an associated student government that actively participates in the administration of the University.
Admission Requirements
Admission to Chapman is selective. In 2004, admission was granted to 58 percent of the applicant pool. The University is interested in admitting students whose prior records indicate that they will be successful in a competitive collegiate environment. Freshman applicants are considered for admission based primarily on the nature and sequence of their high school course work, the grade point average achieved, and their results on either the SAT I or ACT examination. Transfer candidates are considered for admission on the basis of their course work and cumulative grade point average earned at other regionally accredited post-secondary institutions.
Application and Information
When applying, candidates are strongly encouraged to visit the campus and meet with a member of the admission staff. Arrangements for an interview or group information session and campus tour can be made through the Office of Admission at either of the phone numbers listed in the contact information. Freshman applicants can choose between a nonbinding November 30 early action application deadline or the January 31 regular application deadline. Transfer applicants must apply before the March 15 transfer deadline. Freshmen candidates who apply after January 31 and transfer candidates who apply after March 15 are considered on a space-available basis.
For further information, students should contact:
