Introduction
Established as a state-assisted university in 1964, Cleveland State University assumed a tradition for excellence when it adopted the buildings, faculty, staff, and programs of Fenn College, a private institution of 2,500 students. In 1969, the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law became part of Cleveland State University.
A young university with a rich history, Cleveland State traces its historical roots to 1870, when the Cleveland YMCA began to offer free classes. The YMCA program was formalized in 1881, reorganized in 1906 as the Association Institute, and became the Cleveland School of Technology, later renamed Fenn College. The Cleveland-Marshall College of Law traces its origins to the founding of Cleveland Law School in 1897 as the first evening law school in the state and one of the first to admit women and minorities. In 1946, Cleveland Law School merged with the John Marshall School of Law, founded in 1916, to become Cleveland-Marshall Law School.
Throughout its long history, Cleveland State University and its predecessors pioneered work in developing student internships with business and industry, expanding an extensive co-op program, and attracting students who did not otherwise have access to higher education. Today, Cleveland State continues to grow by supporting the flexibility of its course offerings, programs, and affordable price with an excellent faculty and state-of-the-art facilities.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to encourage excellence, diversity, and engaged learning by providing a contemporary and accessible education in the arts, sciences, humanities and professions, and by conducting research, scholarship, and creative activity across these branches of knowledge. We endeavor to serve and engage the public and prepare our students to lead productive, responsible and satisfying lives in the region and global society.
Vision Statement
We will be recognized as a student-focused center of scholarly excellence that provides an accessible, engaged and exceptional education to all. We will be a place of opportunity for those who seek truth, strive toward excellence and seek a better life for themselves and for their fellow citizens. As a leader in innovative collaboration - both internally and externally - with business, industry, government, educational institutions and the community, the University will be a critical force in the region’s economic development. We will be at the forefront of moral, ethical, social, artistic and economic leadership for the future and embrace the vitality that comes with risk. We will be the strongest public university in the region and be known for our scholarship and diversity in service to students and to our community.
Eight Colleges
Courses of instruction leading to degrees are offered through Cleveland State’s eight colleges. Undergraduate students enroll in one of the six undergraduate colleges:
- Monte Ahuja College of Business
- College of Education and Human Services
- Washkewicz College of Engineering
- College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
- College of Sciences and Health Professions
- Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs
- School of Nursing
- College of Graduate Studies
Many degrees are available from these colleges in the evening, and some programs offer weekend and online courses, as well.
Other programs available to undergraduates include: Black Studies, a selection of courses available in various departments, which explores the Black experience in America; and the Women’s Comprehensive Program, which offers special programming and counseling as well as course work.
Graduate work is offered through the College of Graduate Studies and the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.
A Dynamic Campus Environment
The Cleveland State campus consists of 85 acres–the largest footprint in downtown Cleveland–with 40 buildings used for teaching, research, housing, administration, and recreation. Nineteen-story Rhodes Tower contains the University Library, classrooms, and many faculty offices and is a striking feature on the Cleveland skyline. University buildings feature a blend of old and new architectural styles, with historic landmark Mather Mansion sharing the stage with such modern facilities as Glickman-Miller Hall, home of the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, and the 13,000-seat Bert L. and Iris S. Wolstein Center. The university boasts more than 200 student organizations, including 13 national fraternities and sororities and 16 NCAA Division I men’s and women’s varsity sports.
For Northeast Ohio to be economically competitive, it needs an educated work force. To make that education more convenient than ever before, Cleveland State has an extended campus in Westlake, where students have access to the same quality education as they have downtown.
The university is implementing a $500 million, multi-phase campus master plan. Already completed is a 130,000-square-foot recreation center; the renovation of historic Howe Mansion into Parker Hannifin Hall, the home of the College of Graduate Studies; the Parker Hannifin Administration Center; conversion of landmark Fenn Tower into student housing for 400-450 students; the $7.8 million law building renovation; and green spaces and a new parking garage. The College of Education and Human Services building opened in spring 2010, followed by the spectacular new Student Center and 600-bed Euclid Commons residence suites, both on Euclid Avenue. Still to come is the North Campus Neighborhood development, 25 acres of mixed use market-rate housing, athletic fields, retail, and parking.
The Campus Master Plan rethinks the University’s role in the city and how campus design and development can help stimulate private investment in downtown Cleveland. The Plan brings not only a bold new look to campus, but a bold new vision as well. It’s all about new attitudes, a new outlook and a new Cleveland State University.
All-in-1 Enrollment Services
Campus411 is the place to go for information and assistance with registration, academic records, student billing, and financial aid. Cleveland State’s comprehensive approach to providing student service is based on a “one-stop” philosophy: provide a central office to serve the university community effectively and efficiently. All-in-1 Enrollment Services is located on the Main Classroom Plaza Level in room 116G. If you have questions or concerns or if you need information about student services, please visit the web-page.
Accreditations
NCA Accreditation: Cleveland State University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, a commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education, 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, Illinois 60602-2504, 800-621-7440.
In addition, individual Cleveland State degree programs hold the following professional accreditations:
Business Administration: The BBA programs of the Monte Ahuja College of Business are accredited by AACSB International, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The accounting programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels have earned separate accreditation from AACSB International.
Chemistry: The Chemistry Department’s undergraduate curriculum is approved by the American Chemical Society.
Counseling Center: The Counseling Center is accredited by the International Association of Counseling Services (IACS).
Education: Preparation programs offered by the College of Education and Human Services for prospective teachers and other school personnel are fully accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and approved by the Ohio Department of Education. The School Counseling and the Community Agency Counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The Psychology Specialist (School Psychology) program is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and is included in the college’s NCATE Accreditation. The Counseling Psychology specialization in the Ph.D. in Urban Education is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA).
Engineering: The bachelor’s degree programs in Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 - telephone: (410) 347-7700. The Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering Technology program is accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.
Health and Wellness Service: The Health and Wellness Service is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care.
Law: The College of Law is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools.
Music: The graduate and undergraduate Music Department curricula are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.
Nursing: The Undergraduate and Graduate Nursing curricula are fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, D.C. 20036, Phone: 202-887-6791. The Undergraduate Nursing curriculum has been fully approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing.
Occupational Therapy: The Master of Occupational Therapy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.
Physical Therapy: The Doctor of Physical Therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
Physician Assistant: The Master of Science in Health Sciences Physician Assistant Track (offered in collaboration with Cuyahoga Community College) is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant.
Psychology: The Psychology Specialist (School Psychology) program is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
Public Administration: The Master of Public Administration curriculum is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA).
Public Health: The Master of Public Health program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
Social Work: The School of Social Work curriculum is fully accredited at the undergraduate and graduate levels by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Speech and Hearing: The Master of Arts in Speech Pathology and Audiology is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
Urban Planning and Development: The Master of Urban Planning and Development curriculum is accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board.
Office of Institutional Equity
Cleveland State University is committed to the principles of equal employment and educational opportunity for all individuals and to the development and implementation of results-oriented procedures and programs to enhance access and opportunity for minorities and women, persons with disabilities, disabled veterans, Vietnam-era veterans and other protected veterans. The Board of Trustees has charged everyone associated with the university to support and implement these procedures and programs and to participate in achieving their maximum success.
The Office of Institutional Equity is responsible for the administration of the university’s equal opportunity and affirmative action policies and procedures. Through formal and informal procedures, the Office of Institutional Equity is primarily responsible for the investigation and resolution of all complaints of unlawful discrimination including complaints of sexual, racial and any other types of unlawful harassment. The Office of Institutional Equity seeks to achieve a fair and prompt resolution of discrimination complaints and takes appropriate action when necessary. The Office of Institutional Equity works cooperatively with departments and units to provide training and information on unlawful discrimination and affirmative action issues to increase awareness of these issues throughout the university community and promote the full participation, well-being and equitable treatment of all students, faculty and staff, regardless of age, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, disabled veteran, Vietnam-era veteran or other protected veteran status.
The office is located in the Administration Center, Room 236. Phone 216-687-2223.
University Ombudsperson
The Ombudsperson is a confidential, informal, impartial and non-adversarial alternative for problem resolution. The Ombudsperson can help students deal with problems that they might have with any aspect of the University – such academic issues, faculty conflicts, filing petitions, etc. The Ombudsperson can provide an informal means of problem resolution if there is a University-related dispute. The Ombudsperson is not empowered to change a decision, but through intervention or a clarification of matters, information may emerge to assist in the resolution of the dispute.
Due to the confidential, informal, and neutral function of the Ombudsperson, communication with the ombudsperson does not constitute notice to the University.
The Ombudsperson will maintain confidentiality of all communications that he or she receives. If the nature of the situation is highly sensitive, it is recommended that communications with the Ombudsperson be done by phone or in person. Regardless of the mode of contact, the student should be prepared to write a narrative of sufficient detail to clearly describe the issue under consideration and to assemble all documents that might have relevance to the examination and resolution of the concern.
Contact: Dr. Rama Gorla, Ombudsperson and Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Stillwell Hall, Room SH 243, Phone: 216-523-7276. E-mail: r.gorla@csuohio.edu.
Alumni
The university has more than 90,000 alumni, most of whom have remained in the Northeast Ohio area to establish careers, give back to the community, and raise their families. At nearly 1,000 businesses across the country, a Cleveland State graduate is at the helm as founder, chairman, CEO, president, or other top executive.
Graduates of Cleveland State University and its predecessor institutions are represented by the Cleveland State University Alumni Association and its chapters.
The Department of Alumni Affairs works closely with the Alumni Association to jointly develop professional, social, and educational programming that benefits the alumni body as well as the university community. The university magazine, Perspective, is published two times a year.
The goal of the alumni office is to generate alumni participation and support in the continuing development of the university. Phone: 216-687-2078.
CSU Foundation, Inc.
The Cleveland State University Foundation Inc. is a private, nonprofit corporation created in 1969 to serve as an independent, tax-exempt organization to solicit, receive, and distribute gifts to the university in accordance with the wishes of the donors.
There is extensive coordination of efforts between the foundation and the Office of University Advancement on fundraising. The two are working cooperatively on the university’s initiatives to raise endowment and current use funds.
University fundraising efforts provide much-needed private support for scholarship assistance, research, equipment, educational programs, and facilities.
Gifts to the foundation are tax-deductible within IRS guidelines. Donors have the option of making gifts that are restricted to a specific purpose, or unrestricted. All restricted gifts are used in accordance with the donors’ wishes, and unrestricted gifts are used where the need is greatest. Phone: 216-687-5522.
Information Services and Technology
The Information Services and Technology (IS&T) division is responsible for ensuring that Cleveland State University’s information technology resources are aligned with the strategic priorities of the institution. We ensure that the IT services are dependable, easy to use, cost efficient and operate effectively.
The ultimate purpose of Information Services and Technology is to support CSU’s core missions of education, research, service and accessibility. We recognize that these can only be achieved by working in partnership with students, faculty and staff to reach their goals.
IS&T is responsible for developing effective IT policies, procedures and standards, soliciting customer input regarding their substance and rationale. IS&T strongly advocates the use of and adherence to standards as a key step in providing a scaleable, common and affordable CSU computing environment.
IS&T strives to deliver customer-focused quality services and support products that add value to the overall CSU community.
Academic Assessment
Each program on campus assesses student learning outcomes as an integral part of the continuous improvement approach to student learning, instruction, and curriculum design. The Office of Student Learning Assessment coordinates all university-wide assessment efforts focused on learning within the major, general education, and student service programs. Systematic assessment of student learning incorporates the evaluation of papers, projects, portfolios, pre- and post- tests, licensure and other examinations in order to determine whether the university’s expectations and goals for learning are being achieved. Current and former students’ views about the learning process are also solicited through questionnaires, interviews and focus groups. Additionally, employers and community members are involved in providing feedback, which is used to continually improve all academic and non-academic programs at our university.
Smoke-Free Environment
In 2013 the Cleveland State University Board of Trustees adopted the University’s Smoke-Free Environment Policy, which prohibits smoking on all university buildings and grounds. The initiative for this policy came from within the Cleveland State community and enjoys wide support from students, faculty, staff, and administrators.
Further, the university complies with Chapter 3794 of the Ohio Revised Code, adopted by Ohio voters in November 2006, which further restricts smoking in public areas.
Nondiscrimination Policy and Procedure
- Cleveland State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity institution. No person will be denied opportunity for employment or education or be subject to discrimination in any project, program or activity because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, disabled veteran, Vietnam-era veteran or other protected veteran status.
- Inquiries concerning implementation of the above policy and compliance with relevant statutory requirements, including, inter alia, Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 may be directed to Maria J. Codinach, Director of the Affirmative Action Office, Administration Center, Room 236, 216-687-2223.
- Students who wish to seek accommodations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and/or the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 must request such accommodations and should contact either the Office of Admissions or the Office of Disability Services, Main Classroom Room 147, 216-687-2015, for information or to request accommodations.
- Complaints of discrimination, including unlawful harassment, may be addressed through the Affirmative Action Office and the Student Grievance Procedure outlined in the Cleveland State University Student Handbook, copies of which are available through the university’s Department of Student Life, Student Center 319, 216-687-2048.
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