“I was able to complete my doctorate even in the course of campaigning and being elected to the Senate."

Congresswoman Diane Watson (PhD in Education, 1987)

Congresswoman Watson on her time at CGU:

"I was very impressed with Claremont Graduate University reaching out to me and inviting me to attend.  I had always wanted to get a doctorate but a few things got in my way.  The flexibility of classes that the School of Educational Studies offered allowed me to attend afternoon classes that started at four.  It was just wonderful.  I was able to complete my doctorate even in the course of campaigning and being elected to the Senate.

I was also impressed by the smaller classes that let you have direct relationship with your professors.  I value the time I had with my professors.  I don't think there were ever more than 24 students in a class.  In my first class as an undergraduate at a large state university, there were 450 students.  We were taught by a teaching assistant.  The professor did not have time for you.  When I went to Claremont you had the instructor and the students in the class, all of them adults and all of them working, and you really had what I would consider an in-depth exchange all the time with your classmates and professor.  You just absorbed more.  You were able to explore.  It was just fantastic.

I think at CGU you get the best foundation that you will find anywhere because of the size of the classes and because of the expert professors you have instructing you."

To learn more about Congresswoman Diane Watson, click here.