cau.edu

What is Clark Atlanta University?

Clark Atlanta University (CAU) is a private historically Black university (HBCU) in Atlanta, Georgia, formed in 1988 through the consolidation of Atlanta University and Clark College, with roots dating to 1865. Its homepage presents it as a comprehensive institution offering undergraduate programs alongside graduate and professional degrees, organized around scholarship, innovation, and service.

What it offers

• Undergraduate programs across a range of fields, taught with faculty mentorship and academic exploration in mind.
• Graduate and professional programs aimed at working professionals, researchers, and people seeking career change.
• Research activity: CAU describes itself as one of only 13 HBCUs holding an R2 research designation, meaning substantial research funding and doctoral activity.
• Location advantage: the Atlanta setting is presented as an extended campus, with access to corporate internships, professional networks, and the city's cultural and historical institutions.
• Campus life and community: an emphasis on HBCU traditions, alumni legacy, and student community.

Who it suits

Prospective undergraduates who want a mid-sized urban HBCU with strong mentorship and city-based internship access; graduate students or working professionals looking for advanced degrees while staying in or near Atlanta; and researchers drawn to an institution with an R2 designation and collaborative faculty-student projects.

How it compares in kind

Next step

If you are considering applying, start with the admissions section of Clark Atlanta University to check deadlines and requirements, then look at the specific program page for your intended major or degree to see faculty, course structure, and any research or internship opportunities. Visiting campus or attending a virtual open house (the site lists events such as a School of Business virtual open house) is a practical way to test whether the size, setting, and culture fit you.

How do I apply for admission to Clark Atlanta University?

Applying to Clark Atlanta University starts on the admissions section of its website, where you begin your application as an undergraduate or a graduate/professional student. The homepage itself is mainly a gateway: it points to “Begin Your Journey With Us,” “Apply Today,” and separate undergraduate and graduate program pages. You will need to choose your applicant type and program before you can complete the right application.

Clark Atlanta University

H3 Practical steps

1. Decide whether you are applying as an undergraduate or to a graduate/professional program, since the requirements and deadlines differ.
2. Use the site’s admissions pages to find the application and the specific program you want.
3. Gather your academic records, identification, and any test or recommendation materials the application asks for.
4. Watch for department-specific deadlines and open-house events. The site lists events such as a School of Business Virtual Open House and a School of Education Virtual Open House, which can be useful if you want to ask questions before submitting.

H3 A realistic example A high school senior in Atlanta who wants to study business would start with the undergraduate admissions route, then check the School of Business virtual open house for details about the program and application expectations. A working professional considering a graduate degree would instead go through the graduate and professional programs path and confirm whether the department requires additional materials such as a portfolio, résumé, or interview.

H3 How to decide

• If you are unsure which program fits, compare the undergraduate and graduate program lists before starting an application.
• If deadlines or requirements are unclear, contact the admissions office directly rather than relying on general advice.
• If you want to visit or attend an event first, check the events page for open houses and campus visits.

For the most current requirements, deadlines, and application links, go directly to the admissions pages at Clark Atlanta University.

What undergraduate programs does Clark Atlanta University offer?

Clark Atlanta University's undergraduate offerings span the liberal arts, sciences, business, education, and social work, delivered through its schools and departments. The homepage groups them under "Undergraduate Programs" and points prospective students to a program finder rather than listing every major inline.

Where to find the full list

The page's "Find Your Program" path is the authoritative route to current majors, minors, and concentrations. Individual program pages will show degree type, required coursework, and any accreditation or licensure notes that matter for your field.

Typical areas of study

Based on CAU's school structure, undergraduates generally choose among:

• Business administration and related business fields
• Education and teacher preparation
• Arts and sciences: humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, mathematics
• Social work
• Mass media arts and communication

A practical next step

If you already have a target career, work backward: identify the credential employers or graduate schools expect, then confirm CAU offers that specific major or a close equivalent through the program finder. If you are undecided, look for departments with strong faculty mentorship and research access, since the page emphasizes faculty-guided exploration and student research collaboration.

The university also notes an R2 research designation, which can matter if you want undergraduate research experience before graduate study.

For official details, start at Clark Atlanta University.

What graduate and professional degree programs are available at CAU?

Clark Atlanta University's graduate and professional offerings are organized under its "Graduate and Professional Programs," which the site describes as advanced degrees for professionals, scholars, and innovators. The homepage does not list individual degrees, so treat it as a starting point rather than a complete catalog.

What the site tells you

• Graduate and professional programs exist as a distinct pathway from undergraduate study, with their own "Explore Programs" entry point.
• The School of Business hosts a virtual open house, suggesting business master's or professional study is one area of focus.
• The School of Education also hosts a virtual open house, pointing to graduate work in education.
• CAU holds an R2 research designation, which matters if you want a thesis- or research-based master's or doctoral path with faculty collaboration.

How to find the specific degrees

The homepage's value is routing, not enumeration. To get actual program names, degree types, and deadlines, go to the "Explore Programs" link in the Graduate and Professional Programs section, then filter by school or college. If you want the human version, the virtual open houses listed under Upcoming Events are the fastest way to ask about concentrations, assistantships, and part-time options.

Decision criteria

• Research vs. professional focus: R2 status favors students who want lab or faculty-mentored research; professional master's students should confirm whether a thesis is required.
• Location advantage: With Atlanta as the base, internships and employer networks in business, media, and health are a practical draw, especially for working professionals.
• Format: Ask directly whether your target program offers evening, hybrid, or full-time-only schedules.

Start at Clark Atlanta University and use the graduate programs link plus the events calendar to move from general interest to a specific application plan.

What internships and career opportunities does being in Atlanta provide for CAU students?

Clark Atlanta University's location in Atlanta gives students access to a large metropolitan job market. The university frames the city as an "extended campus" and points to Fortune 500 internships, professional networks and career paths as direct benefits of that location, alongside cultural sites, museums and entertainment venues. In practice, that means a CAU student can pursue a semester internship downtown or in Midtown, attend industry events after class, and build a professional network without relocating.

The advantage is strongest in fields with a heavy Atlanta presence: business and corporate functions, media and communications, technology, health care, logistics, and nonprofit or government work. Atlanta is a hub for major corporations and has a deep media and film ecosystem, so students in those areas can often find part-time or summer roles during the academic year rather than only in the summer. The trade-off is that commuting, scheduling and competition for the most sought-after internships require planning; students who wait until senior year to engage with the city's networks get less from it.

How to use the location deliberately

• Start with your program's internship or career office and ask which Atlanta employers regularly host CAU students.
• Look for roles that fit around your class schedule, since being local makes part-time internships realistic.
• Use the university's events calendar to attend open houses and employer sessions; the site lists events such as a School of Business Virtual Open House and a School of Education Virtual Open House.
• Treat the city as a long-term network: alumni and local professional groups can matter as much as a single internship.

A concrete example: a business student might combine coursework with a part-time internship at a downtown firm, attend a school open house to meet recruiters, and use Atlanta's alumni network to line up a full-time offer before graduation. A student in a field with fewer local employers should weigh whether CAU's Atlanta access outweighs the need to travel for internships elsewhere.

Next step: browse the university's programs and events pages to identify which departments and employers align with your goals, then contact the relevant career office before your first semester. You can begin at Clark Atlanta University.

What HBCU traditions and student life experiences can I expect at Clark Atlanta University?

At Clark Atlanta University, student life is built around HBCU traditions that are visible and participatory rather than passive. The university describes its community as its greatest asset, rooted in HBCU history and traditions while looking forward. In practice, that means you can expect a campus calendar where signature events, cultural programming, and shared rituals are part of the rhythm of the year, not side activities.

The clearest concrete example from the university's own listing is Homecoming. The site highlights a Homecoming 5k as an upcoming event, which signals that Homecoming at CAU is more than a single game: it includes community fitness, alumni return, and multi-day programming. For a prospective student, that matters because it shows how traditions function as both celebration and community-building.

H3 What shapes the student experience

• Location as an extended campus. CAU sits in the heart of Atlanta, and the university frames the city as an extension of campus, pointing to Fortune 500 internships, professional networks, and cultural sites. Student life therefore blends on-campus traditions with a major city's arts, history, and career scenes.
• Research and academic identity woven into campus culture. As one of only 13 HBCUs with an R2 research designation, CAU connects student life to research opportunities. If you want a campus where undergraduate research is part of the social and academic conversation, that designation is a meaningful signal.
• A legacy-oriented community. The university's "Join the CAU Legacy" framing suggests traditions are tied to pride, service, and intergenerational connection, with alumni and current students sharing the same events and spaces.

H3 How to evaluate the fit Ask yourself whether you want a campus where tradition is central and the city is a major part of your social and professional life. If you prefer a self-contained residential campus with less urban integration, the Atlanta advantage may feel like a trade-off rather than a benefit. If you want internships, cultural venues, and professional networks within reach, it is likely a strong fit.

H3 A practical next step Check the university's events calendar before you visit or apply, and plan a visit around a tradition-heavy period such as Homecoming. Attending an admissions or program-specific virtual open house can also give you a feel for how faculty and staff talk about campus culture. Start at Clark Atlanta University and look for the events and admissions sections to see what is happening during your intended term.