Carleton University is a contemporary, enterprising university situated in Canada's capital. Undergraduate and graduate programs are offered in the disciplines of arts, social sciences, engineering and science and through many professional schools and institutes. Specialized research is carried out in more than 82 organized research centres. With some 22,415 full-time and part-time students from the national capital region, from across the country, and from more than 90 countries around the world, Carleton has acquired a reputation that is world-wide.
Founded in 1942 as a non-denominational, private, co-educational college, Carleton initially occupied a few rented classrooms in church basements and high schools in downtown Ottawa. Full-time programs were offered in 1946 in journalism and public administration. Rapid expansion during the following years led to the development of a new campus on a large and picturesque site between the Rideau River and the historic Rideau Canal.
Carleton's location in Canada's capital has shaped its philosophy and character in a special way. Throughout its fifty-year history, Carleton has explored the Canadian perspective in many fields and utilized Ottawa's unique resources to give its students an advantage that few other universities enjoy. In the pursuit of academic excellence, Carleton has played a national role in contributing to the quality of public discourse in Canada and to the advancement of our country's international relations. Looking to the future, the University is at the forefront in developing new partnerships, new programs, and new directions in teaching and research that will enable its graduates to lead in meeting the challenges of tomorrow. Forging ties with business, industry, government, and other educational institutions will ensure the most relevant education and most current research that is leading-edge.
The first undergraduate degrees, awarded in 1946, were in journalism and in public administration, and the first graduate diploma in 1954 was in public administration. Today, the University offers graduate instruction leading to the master's degree in some 38 fields and to the doctorate in 16 fields. In 1994-95, The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research registered some 2,568 students in full-time and part-time studies.
Carleton has set as its major goal in graduate studies the promotion of the spirit of independent investigation and the pursuit of scholarly work of consistent high quality. By concentrating on certain fields of study and by electing areas in which it had a comparative advantage, the University has been able to ensure great success in the pursuit of these goals. With outstanding scholars, challenging and imaginative programs, excellent students, libraries, laboratories, and other resources and facilities, the University can provide its students with the most current and relevant education. Graduate programs in science and engineering are enhanced by linking resources and expertise with the University of Ottawa to create institutes that are among the finest in the country. Moreover, students in all programs have access to the vast number of scholars working in government organizations and to the special facilities associated with these national and international institutions.
Carleton University's 27 buildings occupy a beautiful 62-hectare campus just 10 minutes drive south of Parliament Hill. A special feature of the campus is an extensive underground tunnel system which makes the University especially accessible for students who have mobility impairments. The MacOdrum Library houses more than a million volumes and an extensive collection of microfilms, archival material, maps, documents, and prints, all accessed by an on-line catalogue system with terminals on every floor. Reading rooms and special interest resource centres are maintained by many departments on campus. Accommodations for more than 1,666 students is provided in Carleton's six residence buildings, and cafeterias throughout the campus offer meals and snacks. The physical recreation centre houses facilities for a wide range of activities from individual fitness to interuniversity team competition in a number of sports. Special-interest clubs, public lectures, concerts, films, live theatre, conferences, and conventions bring many dimensions to campus life.
Recreational, cultural, and leisure-time activities to suit every taste abound in the national capital area. The National Arts Centre, the Museum of Civilization, and the National Art Gallery enlighten and entertain in both English and French. Carleton boasts the world's longest winter skating rink, the Rideau Canal, at its doorstep, and miles of bike paths and walking trails surround the picturesque campus along waterways and greenbelts.
Effective July 1, 1992, all academic and administrative buildings became smoke-free.
Smoking is allowed only in the smoking sections of the cafeterias and pubs in the University Centre and Commons buildings and residences.