Clarks Summit University Reviews

  • 14 Reviews
  • Clarks Summit (PA)
  • Annual Tuition: $29,700
40% of 14 students said this degree improved their career prospects
57% of 14 students said they would recommend this school to others
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Student & Graduate Reviews

anonymous
  • Reviewed: 7/10/2023
  • Degree: Counseling
"Clark’s Summit University is a so called “Christ-Centered Career Ready,” college. However, the schools rules regarding curfew, points, and accountability is absolutely unnecessary AND unrealistic. The curfew here at CSU is 10:30pm Monday through Friday (but the latest you can stay out is 12am only if you sign out on a sheet of paper. As adults who are ages between 18-24 years old this does not give us freedom or a chance to be independent. I have personally had RA’s who have POINTED ME because I forgot to take out a bag of trash in the bathroom. If you receive a certain amount of points you owe money and may even be expelled. The school does NOT give students an opportunity to become independent they only are controlling and demanding over their students. They are deceiving and unexpectabke in a way that a friend of mine received a 2,000 dollar scholarship only because her father complained to the president about the school and its price raising. What about the rest of the students getting 2,000 dollars off their bill? This i’m not only teaching favoritism but is NOT Christ-Centered. This school has taught me how to NOT act in a leadership position by far."
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 1/16/2021
  • Degree: Liberal Arts
"Definitely not lgbt friendly. I was stuck in the closet there and had to listen to countless teachers, staff, and students alike tell me every day about how gay people are super sinful and are going to hell. I was invalidated and scared that someone I know would out me and I would be expelled. Im glad to be far away from that place."
Annie
  • Reviewed: 12/31/2020
  • Degree: Communications
"Clarks Summit University has very little to offer. Even with its limited resources, badly managed finances and poor planning the staff and faculty have managed to create a toxic cultural “bubble” that is invasive at best and cultic at worst. There are genuinely good professors to be found at CSU, but they are over worked, underpaid, and micromanaged. I do not feel the handful of positive academic classes I accrued was worth the tuition I paid or the environment I endured. I have found the students who succeed in this school are usually the students who grew up in a similar hyper fundamentalist and legalistic environment and are less interested in education and more interested in achieving a sort of spiritual superiority. For the rest of those seeking a meaningful nuanced education, there are so many other options out there, go ahead and scratch CSU from the list. It is, without question, the most expensive mistake you will ever make."
Josh
  • Reviewed: 9/7/2020
  • Degree: Communications
"Clarks Summit University is a great choice for everyone looking for a sub-par education in a legalistic and toxic community. Education: Many of the other professors have a questionable mastery of their class material and fail to provide education at the level of quality that should be expected from a higher education institution. As an aside, many (but of course not all) of the employees also suffer from a similar level of amateurism. Culture: Somehow, despite all its claims to the contrary, the culture at CSU is rife with a legalistic mindset. To be fair, much of this arises from the students who have often been raised in very strict religious homes. However, this mentality also inhabits many of the institution’s faculty. After producing the Spring 2017 play Peter and the Starcatcher, many of the actors, myself included, received much misery because we happened to dance while dressed as mermaids. It’s art, not a political statement. This sort of attitude plagued my entire time there. Human rights: Clarks Summit University is absolutely hateful towards the LGBTQ+ community. They have expelled students for being gay, taught disinformation about trans people, and advocated for conversion therapy (and some have claimed that they practiced it on-campus). Financial situation: CSU often makes poor financial decisions. For instance: they built a recreational facility that they cannot afford to maintain, they renamed themselves without fully researching other claimants, and they spent an excessive amount of funds on a failing athletic department. This poor use of funds carries over into smaller situations. I cannot discuss more, but saw a lot of this working in their helpdesk. CSU as an Employer: The employment scene at CSU is quite unpleasant. As a helpdesk worker, I was able to see first-hand the sort of poor attitudes and inconsistency that inhabit this institution. One would expect the employees and students of an institution that claims that “Christ is at the center of everything we do” to have at least a modicum of kindness. Yet, those of us who worked in the IT Department were routinely confronted by demanding, moody, inconsiderate, and judgemental individuals who were primed to explode over the slightest inconvenience."
Unhappy Camper
  • Reviewed: 10/31/2018
  • Degree: Business
"No concern for students, only $ signs. Allows anyone and everyone regardless of behavior, faith etc....even satanic stars are allowed for halloween costumes now. What kind of Christian campus is that? Not worth a dime, or a minute of your time! Do not recommend!!!"
John Jordan
  • Reviewed: 3/28/2017
  • Degree: Counseling
"The Counseling Program at Clarks Summit University is one like no other. The professors are all experts in their field with a plethora of knowledge and personal experiences that they are able to use to further the education of each student. The professors care about the students not only educationally, but personally. Even in the midst of their own busy lives they will always try to make time for the students. Finally, my favorite aspect of the program would have to be the practically that the counselors emphasize. If the students are taking, say, a science course and do not understand the practicality of it, the professors will take time to give an example (sometimes multiple) of the reason why the class is important. They know the students are humans and greatly desire to have passionate counselors that have a desire to help others. They even told us that anyone that does not truly desire to help others should switch majors. That is the heart that the professors have for the students as well as who the students will interact with after graduation."
Benjamin Johnson
  • Reviewed: 3/16/2017
  • Degree: Religious Studies
"The Youth Pastoral program at Clarks Summit University (formerly BBC) is a content driven major that will well equip those seeking this major. From the theology classes, Christian electives, and to the practical major courses; Clarks Summit offers professors who are able to teach from wisdom and experience. The ratio of professor to student makes for an interactive hands on training experience that is sure to last beyond the four years of schooling. Whether it's in the classroom or in the dorm, Clarks Summit offers a spiritually challenging and encouraging environment where students are sure to grow in education, and in their relationship with God."
John Jordan
  • Reviewed: 3/11/2017
  • Degree: Counseling
"Clarks Summit University is known for its expert Education and Counseling programs. The professors that teach in the Masters Program are very personable and have their PHD in Counseling. They also greatly encourage further study. The topics discussed in class are relevant to current events so that the counselor knows how to interact appropriately to the many diverse and complicated issues of today. If anyone is looking for a school where the professors really care for the student's personal and professional growth in and outside of classroom, then I would 100% recommend Clarks Summit University."
Zachary Bordas
  • Reviewed: 3/10/2017
  • Degree: Christian Counseling
"Clarks Summit University is an excellent school for what its intent is aimed towards. If one desires to be a pastor or a Chrisitan school teacher than this University would be an excellent choice. Otherwise, I would recommend that someone consider a state school for what they intend to major in. Though I made some amazing friends there I would not pay as much as I did just to make friends. After college, I had little to no help finding a job in my field of study. Plus, the school is so small there is very little network potential. If one does not know this yet, you have to understand that out of school networking is EVERYTHING. Likewise, the campus is small and its easy to never get of the campus and the bubble of its social groups. There are definitely some amazing professors there who I adore, but there were many classes that I felt were a total waste of money."
MA-Counseling
  • Reviewed: 12/18/2015
  • Degree: Counseling
"It is an old school. They are trying to become a little more innovative- Hence, the name change Summit University. Classes are very comprehensive, assignments are hard-but reasonable. The most challenging thing for me was always to keep up with writing comments back and forth, but that is the online world of education. Administration is still a little rough around the edges but, you can also see they are trying to improve. They are a Baptist University with hard core Christian values. oh!! Also, the cost is VERY affordable in comparison the other colleges with the same degree."
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 10/13/2015
  • Degree: Organizational Leadership
"Summit provided the training I needed tailored to fit my schedule needs. I recommend Summit to anyone looking to further their education."
Laurie Steel
  • Reviewed: 11/10/2013
  • Degree: Organizational Leadership
"I appreciate all of the classes I have taken and believe the quality of education is good. Studying online makes it possible for me, a working adult, to continue my education. It would be more fun to be in a classroom but I am thankful for the tremendous opportunity I have to study."
Laurie Steel
  • Reviewed: 11/2/2013
  • Degree: Organizational Leadership
"The quality of classes and interaction with the Professors is great. The classes are affordable but the school does not offer any scholarships."
Esther davis
  • Reviewed: 2/19/2013
  • Degree: Liberal Studies
"Pro Teachers are willing to work with you and are very accessible when needed. Homework is at a good level of understanding. Cons Schedule of things kind of get changed around sometimes and not explained fully when things are due."