Westminster College

Communication Studies teaches the practical skills necessary to be a successful professional in the todayís dynamic market, where speaking and listening expertise is highly valued. From classes in public speaking to interpersonal communication, teamwork, mass communication, social media, and more, students prepare to effectively communicate in speech and on the page, with both small groups and big organizations. Learning these best practices of human communication serves students for a lifetime. This degree is perfect for students with broad interests and diverse talents. A Communication degree can offer professional success in a wide variety of fields, including government, business, industry, and nonprofit sectors.... [-]

The Fine Art degree introduces students to diverse art forms through traditional and contemporary materials and techniques. Creative thinking and problem-solving are integral parts of the degree. Westminster College offers a well-rounded education for artists, emphasizing the bridges between disciplines. Because of this, students benefit greatly from the College’s liberal arts setting. The department encourages interdisciplinary studies that cross over into public relations, visual communications, psychology, or business courses. For students seeking further study in fields of creative expression, Westminster provides a strong foundation. There are extra-curricular opportunities offered to expand students’ knowledge and understanding of the cultural arts, such as trips to museums, galleries, special openings, and conferences. Invited working artists provide talks and demonstrations of their craft to introduce students to real-world applications of the degree. Students are encouraged to use their creative skills throughout campus via clubs, organizations, productions, and publications.... [-]

Psychology students at Westminster College engage in the scientific exploration of how humans and animals act, think, and feel through project-based learning activities. Solving problems is key to understanding complex issues, and the psychology program's unique hands-on approach puts the power into students’ hands. From their first year onward, students participate in individually designed experiments, hands-on work in computerized laboratories, use of professional journals, and practice in communicating results. By their senior year, students have completed a two-term Capstone project where they design an individualized research study, collect and analyze data, write a polished report, and make an oral presentation at a regional or national conference. Students also complete a 160-hour internship in a psychological setting. The program’s advanced level focus on professionalism enables students to enter into careers with confidence and intelligence. Many of the program’s graduates have gone on to Masters or Ph.D. programs. Others have chosen a medical school, law school or M.B.A. programs.... [-]

Chemistry majors explore, experiment, and learn about chemical properties through classroom instruction and laboratory analysis. At Westminster College the first two years introduce students to the four basic types of chemistry—analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical—so they can make informed decisions about summer internships, research projects, and career goals. Juniors participate in unique laboratory experiences where instead of a standard “cookbook” experiment, they investigate and discover individually and in teams, proposing solutions to chemical problems and presenting results. Along with this experimentation, students and faculty meet weekly in an engaging seminar series to socialize and discuss ideas and issues in the field. In the seminar, students develop, practice, and polish professional skills in an environment that prepares them for real-world chemistry careers. Seniors conduct a Capstone experiment, playing off of previous investigations, and write a thesis, which they present regionally or nationally. This American Chemical Society-accredited course of study creates independent thinkers and collaborative researchers.... [-]

The Computer Information Systems (CIS) program emphasizes the ways in which information technologies can best be used in a business or organization. Students can work in a project-oriented environment in courses such as Systems Analysis, Software Engineering, Human-Computer Interaction, and Database Theory and Design. CIS students learn about the relationship between information systems and the organizations they serve, including the design and support of computer-based systems. CIS helps students learn not only how the technology works in the big picture, but also how to think through what type of technology should be used to solve a specific business problem. This major is an important link to today’s growing technology systems, a crucial element in any business or organization. The major requires students to take foundation courses that use Java and C++. Other supporting courses for the CIS major are in business, economics, statistics, and calculus. Senior year students design a Capstone course where they research, design, and implement their own unique project.... [-]

Computer Science explores the world of programming and computing, in both practical, real-world settings and abstract, theoretical ones. Using mathematics, algorithms, and computer science theory to model, design, develop, and test computer-based systems, computer scientists can grow and maintain the world of technology from the bottom up. Westminster College's program in computer science prepares students for a variety of careers as well as graduate school. In addition to the core introductory courses consisting of two programming courses and Data Structures, students take Computer Architecture, Advanced Data Structures, Operating Systems, Database Theory and Design, and Language Design and Implementation. Electives include Artificial Intelligence, Computer Graphics, Human-Computer Interaction, Software Engineering, Numerical Analysis, and Theory of Computation. The senior-level Capstone course requires students to research, design, and implement their own unique project. Supporting courses for the major include calculus and discrete mathematics.... [-]

Environmental Science students study the complex interactions occurring within environmental systems and the role of humans within these systems. They look for practical solutions for environmental issues and harbor a passion for both science and nature. Environmental Science is a growing field that uses scientific knowledge to protect natural resources and the environment. Water preservation, alternative energy, air quality, land use, and waste disposal are just a few areas of research. This dynamic interdisciplinary program offered by Westminster College emphasizes science. The major provides a broad scientific background combined with Westminster’s solid liberal arts education to develop the understanding necessary to tackle the complex environmental issues facing the world today. The minor in Environmental Studies emphasizes a liberal arts approach, including the natural sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities, in studying the interface between humans and their environment. Over 110 acres of outdoor research space, state-of-the-art scientific instrumentation, and dedicated faculty make Westminster College an ideal setting for studying the environment.... [-]

The Financial Economics interdisciplinary degree not only offers students an economic background but helps them develop skills for financial decision making and forecasting. Students majoring in financial economics are taught to apply the analytical techniques they learn in the classroom to the real world situations in banking, financial analysis, and funds management. Students also have the opportunity to participate in a mock Wall Street financial analyst internship by doing the summer/winter analyst program offered at Westminster.

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The International Business interdisciplinary degree equips students with cultural and language knowledge to complement an intensive background in business. The degree emphasizes management, marketing, and finance. Students are required to study abroad as part of this program. The combination of courses from business, modern languages, economics, mathematics, political science, and international cultures/religions creates a dynamic degree for students interested in business and international travel. Students in this program graduate with a background in the international aspects of economics and business with a proficiency in a second language, with special emphasis on the concepts of management, marketing, and finance.... [-]

Sponsored by the School of Business, Marketing majors will take courses from accounting, business, economics, and public relations. Students will explore the managerial approach to developing processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large.

Special emphasis will be placed on planning, implementing, and controlling product development, pricing, promotion, and distribution management strategies as carried out by producers, wholesalers, and retailers. Students earning a degree in Marketing will undertake course offerings pertaining to marketing management, marketing theory, consumer purchasing behavior, global brand management, and social media marketing. The culmination of general business courses and marketing specific courses will prepare students for a wide variety of career opportunities.... [-]