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 4 units of RS and 4 units of either IS 16 or IS 17) 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 or chemistry 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.” Students should consider the possibility of a double major.
Pre-Medical Technology Program
Students planning to enter medical technology as a profession should consider a baccalaureate degree in either biology or chemistry. A second major (or extensive course work) in the humanities or social sciences is advisable.
Pre-Ministerial Program
Students who plan to pursue studies in a theological seminary after college are urged to take a double major in religious studies and English, history, philosophy, political science, psychology, or sociology, or to combine one of these majors with GRK 1, 2, 101, 102 and eight units beyond general education requirements in each of three other areas, excluding the area of the major. Advisers in the religious studies department must approve the choice of courses. Students who pursue a major outside that department should have an adviser within the religious studies department as well as within the department of the major. They should plan the pre-ministerial program very early.
Pre-Missionary Program
Westmont offers a religious studies major with an emphasis in missions, but also encourages pre-missionary students to select majors which offer broad and varied training and to plan for seminary. Since some foreign countries give preference to teachers, many mission boards are encouraging their missionaries to secure a teaching credential when possible. Students should study the history and culture of the land in which they expect to serve. Faculty advise missionary students to place themselves under a particular mission board and carefully follow its educational requirements.
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.
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 department 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.
Military Science courses at UCSB for Westmont credit are:
- MS 131 Principles of Leadership (2)
- MS 132 Advanced Tactical Theory (2)
- MS 133 Principles of Military Instruction (2)
- MS 141 Military Management (2)
- MS 142 Fundamentals of Military Law (2)
- MS 143 Profession of Arms: Ethics and Reality (2)
- MS 190 Advanced Military Science Field Study (2)
To qualify for the Westmont degree, the ROTC student must complete PY 104 Ethics, or PY 113 Contemporary Moral Problems as a co-requisite. For more information, contact the 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.
For more information, contact the Loyola Marymount University Department of Aerospace Studies (AFROTC) at (310) 338-2770.
