Special Programs

While Westmont is unapologetically an undergraduate institution of liberal arts and sciences and not a professional school or university, we recognize that many students will come to Westmont for a short time and transfer to other institutions for professional training. Such students will find that we offer a full selection of pre-professional programs to guide their work at Westmont.

Pre-Engineering Program

In connection with work taken at other colleges and universities, Westmont offers a full engineering program. Graduates of this program have completed their B.S. degrees in engineering at Stanford University, Washington University, the University of Southern California, the University of California, California Polytechnic, San Luis Obispo, as well as other schools.

Students complete three years of work at Westmont and usually two years at an accredited school of engineering. The program leads to the concurrent awarding of the B.S. degree (or in some cases the M.S. degree) from the chosen university and the B.A. degree from Westmont. The dual-degree major is flexible, and students may construct their own programs. Faculty recommend that students pursue a course of study in one of the sciences or mathematics while at Westmont, especially if they intend to work toward an M.S. degree. Those who plan to enter the engineering program should declare their intention no later than the beginning of the sophomore year.

Westmont general education requirements (reduced by one Common Inquiries area of the student’s choice and by both Competent and Compassionate Action areas) must be fulfilled during the three years of enrollment at Westmont. There may be additional liberal arts courses required by the second institution.

Specific course requirements are listed in the Chemistry (Chemical Engineering 3-2 Program) and Engineering Physics (Engineering Physics 3-2 Program) sections of the catalog.

Pre-Law Program

Students gain admission to law schools largely on the basis of their scores on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) administered by the Educational Testing Service as well as their overall grade point averages as undergraduates. While there is no prescribed undergraduate program for students contemplating a career in law, they should develop analytical skills to improve their test scores and prospects for admission to law schools. The study of law requires the ability to analyze issues for effective presentation in logical sequence, training in clarity of thinking, indepth understanding of writing, and a familiarity with the legal system. Students may acquire all these skills by pre-law preparation at Westmont. Students interested in pre-legal and law-related studies should consult the pre-law adviser who will work with individuals in planning schedules.

Pre-Medical and Pre-Dental Program

Pre-medical and pre-dental students should indicate their professional interest when they enter Westmont. Most students interested in pursuing medicine or dentistry find that biology, chemistry, kinesiology or neuroscience majors are excellent preparation. However, the American Medical Association points out that students should also have “a broad cultural background in the arts, humanities, and social sciences as well as in the biological and physical sciences.”

R.O.T.C.: Army

The military science curriculum is part of the Army Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC) program at the University of California at Santa Barbara. The program leads to a commission as a second lieutenant in either the Regular Army, the National Guard or the U.S. Army Reserves. Enrollment is open to qualified male and female students at Westmont College. Students must arrange for their own transportation to attend ROTC classes at UCSB.

The ROTC program is divided into two parts: (1) two years of lower-division subjects, the basic course; and (2) two years of upper-division work, the advanced course, which is for selected students. The basic course classes are open to all interested students. No military obligation is incurred by taking these courses. Students must complete six lower-division military science courses before they can be considered for the Advanced Course. Westmont College only grants credit for the upper-division, advanced courses.

Students selected for the Advanced Course attend a six-week camp between their first and second year of Advanced ROTC, normally between the junior and senior years of college. Each student is given a travel allowance, and is paid for their time attending Advanced Camp. Upon obtaining a baccalaureate degree, students may be commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army. Graduates are eligible for either active duty (full time) or part time duty with the National Guard or the U.S. Army Reserves. National Guard or Reserve duty begins following a three to six month active duty commitment to attend their Officer’s Basic Course.

All ROTC instructors can advise students on academic matters, the ROTC program, and financial aid. In addition, the ROTC enrollment counselor is available for discussion of special options such as the two-year program and the scholarship program. There are two- and three-year scholarships available. Several publications, including brochures and fact sheets, are available in the department office located in Building 451 on the UCSB campus. These brochures explain the scholarship application process and the various deadlines. The Department of Military Science telephone number is (805) 893-ARMY. Their website may be found at http://www.milsci.ucsb.edu/

Military Science courses at UCSB for Westmont credit are:

To qualify for the Westmont degree, the ROTC student must complete PHI 104 Ethics, or PHI 113 Contemporary Moral Problems as a co-requisite. For more information, contact the Student Records Office.

R.O.T.C.: Air Force

Through arrangements with Loyola Marymount University (LMU) in west Los Angeles, students may participate in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) program. AFROTC offers a variety of two-, three-, and four-year scholarships, many of which pay the full costs of tuition, books, and fees. Successful completion of AFROTC academic classes and leadership laboratories can lead to a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force.

Classes consist of one hour of academics and two hours of leadership laboratory for freshmen and sophomores and three hours of academics and two hours of leadership laboratory for juniors and seniors. The academic hours earned for upper-division courses taken in the junior and senior years are counted as elective credit toward graduation. All AFROTC classes and laboratories are held on Fridays to better accommodate students commuting from other colleges and universities. Currently, LMU does not charge for AFROTC courses and offers cross-town students free parking while attending AFROTC activities. Additionally, AFROTC cadets under scholarship and all juniors and seniors receive a monthly tax-free stipend.

Students must arrange for their own transportation to attend AFROTC classes at LMU in Los Angeles. For more information, contact the Loyola Marymount University Department of Aerospace Studies (AFROTC) at (310) 338-2770. Their website may be found at http://www.lmu.edu/afrotc/