Academic Opportunities at Pitzer
Pitzer has developed a variety of special courses, seminars and programs beyond the regular course offerings. Among these are the First-Year Seminar program; the New Resources Program, designed for students who are regularly enrolled students of post-college-age; International Scholars Program, designed to help international students develop the sophisticated level of English needed to succeed at Pitzer; Internships; Independent Study; and Study Abroadoff-campus programs in the U.S. and abroad.
These opportunities are described below. For further information, please contact the persons listed in the sections below or the Dean of Faculty’s office.
First-Year Seminars
Pitzer’s first-year seminar (FYS) program, launched in 1973, is designed to help students become more literate people who think, read, write, and speak both critically and competently. Each seminar’s topic and selected readings reflect the professor’s area of expertise and passion. All focus on close textual analysis, broadly conceived, and effective writing strategies for diverse audiences and purposes.
Reaffirming the FYS mission originally formulated in the 1973-74 Pitzer Catalog, first-year seminars are distinguished from many other courses offered at an introductory level not only by their small class size but also by their pursuit of a theme or problem rather than the intent to introduce students to a specific discipline or field. In this spirit, the seminars are meant to pique students’ intellectual curiosity and encourage them to pursue a focused interest in depth. Many incorporate activities outside the classroom, such as fieldtrips, engaging in discussion over a meal, and watching films or plays.
Required of all first-year students, FYSs are writing-intensive courses that fulfill the college’s Written Expression educational objective. During the course of the semester, students are expected to write upwards of 25 pages, including formal assignments and polished essays, in-class writing, and informal writing exercises outside of class. Drafting, peer review, and revising are central to the process-oriented view of writing that the seminars seek to foster. In response to feedback from the professor and/or their peers in the class, students will have the opportunity to revise at least 10 pages of their written work. Students are also encouraged to visit the Writing Center for additional feedback.
Near the end of the fall semester, the FYS professor will provide an assessment of the students’ competence in writing. The evaluation, which will be sent to the students’ advisers, will state whether they have met the writing objective. Students who do not meet the writing objective through a first-year seminar will be required to successfully complete an appropriate writing-intensive course (i.e., an academic writing course or some other course designated as writing-intensive) before they graduate.
New Resources Program
Pitzer College established the New Resources program in 1974 to bring the small, liberal arts college experience to students of non-traditional college age. The program was founded with the conviction that a truly diverse campus is one eager to encounter the added dimension brought by students of a range of ages as well as backgrounds and interests.
To be considered for admission, applicants must be in good standing at the last institution attended and be 23 years of age or older. New Resources candidates may apply online via the Common Application website. In addition to the application for admission and a non-refundable $70 application fee, New Resources candidates must complete one essays, send official transcripts and submit one references from professors or employers.
New Resources students can transfer a maximum of 64 semester units or 96 quarter units from a community college. An additional 32 semester units or 48 quarter units may be transferred from an accredited four-year institution. Transfer credit does not calculate into a student’s Pitzer GPA.
Further information about the program may be obtained from the Office of Admission by calling 909.621.8129.
Summer Session
Summer Session at Pitzer provides an opportunity for students to continue and enrich their education in a rigorous academic atmosphere distinct from the traditional school year. Students may choose from a slate of undergraduate courses offered across the curriculum during an intensive six-week term. All courses are taught by Claremont Colleges faculty or faculty with an established relationship with the Claremont Colleges.
Courses are regular, full-credit offerings of Pitzer College. Students earn one full-course credit (4 semester units) per course completed. Summer courses are open to students of The Claremont Colleges as well as students in good standing at other four-year colleges and universities. Housing and board options are available. Financial Aid is also available for those who qualify. Specific course listings are generally published in February, with registration open between February and the end of April.
For more information - and specific dates and deadlines – please see the Summer Session Website.
Study Abroad & Study Away
Pitzer College embraces a unique set of educational objectives that encourage students from all majors to expand their appreciation and understanding of other cultures, while learning from and with their host communities. A semester abroad is a key component of Pitzer’s challenging liberal arts and sciences curriculum, with strong support from faculty across all field groups.
Pitzer has carefully developed its own study abroad programs, cultivated exchanges with other U.S. and foreign institutions, and selected programs offered by study abroad program partners, which support responsible exploration of the world and sustained engagement with its diverse communities. With over 50 pre-approved program options spanning program types, geographies, and disciplinary offerings, Pitzer is confident that all students will be able to integrate a semester of study abroad in their Pitzer educational experience.
Approved Study Abroad & Study Away Programs
Approved Programs are international and domestic program options approved by the Study Abroad & International Programs Committee for Pitzer students. Approved Programs fall into three primary program types:
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Pitzer Programs, designed and administered by Pitzer following a nationally recognized cultural immersion model integrating intensive language instruction, family stays, a core course on the host culture and the opportunity to pursue an independent study project;
The full list of Approved Programs in 2024-2025 (in alphabetical order by country) can be found below. Note: Program options and availability may change without notice. Please consult with a study abroad adviser or the study abroad website for up-to-date information.
Non-Approved Programs
Pitzer College has developed the above list of Approved Programs based on academic quality, intercultural engagement, and alignment with Pitzer educational objectives. Pitzer strongly encourages its students to participate in an Approved Program, since these programs have been evaluated by Pitzer faculty and staff, are endorsed by the Study Abroad and International Programs Committee, and count on relationships between Pitzer and the institutional hosts that have been developed over many years.
With over 50 offerings worldwide, the College is confident that students from all majors will find an approved program option that meets their academic goals. Nevertheless, Pitzer recognizes that some students may have a particular educational need that cannot be met through one of the approved opportunities. Therefore, a petition process is available to those who have found a program outside Pitzer’s offerings. Petitioners must follow mandatory steps before submitting a petition. Attendance at a study abroad information session and meeting with a study abroad adviser is compulsory before access to a petition is given. Some important considerations:
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Petitions must address an educational need that cannot be met through one of Pitzer’s approved programs. Petitions may include supplementary information related to students’ personal or professional interests and goals, as long as this information adds to or reinforces the petitioner’s academic rationale for selecting a non-approved program. Petitions that focus on non-academic reasons, such as the desire to live in a particular location, to study abroad with a friend from another institution, or other personal reasons, will not be approved.
Every year, the petition deadline for students wanting to study abroad in the following fall or spring semesters is November 15. Late petitions are not permitted under any circumstances. Students considering a non-approved program are encouraged to attend the mandatory information session and meet with a study abroad adviser early in the fall semester to allow ample time to complete all the required components of the petition by the deadline. Petitions will be completed through the study abroad application portal.
The Study Abroad and International Programs (SAIP) Committee, comprised of faculty, students, and staff, reviews all petitions. Incomplete or late petitions are not considered under any circumstances. Not all students who petition will be approved, so applicants are highly encouraged to consider an alternative approved option.
The SAIP Committee will review all petitions after the November 15 deadline. Decisions are typically sent out from the Office of Study Abroad and International Programs before winter recess. If a student’s petition is approved, they may proceed with an application to the program’s sponsor. Approval of a non-approved program petition by Pitzer does not guarantee a student’s admission to the program.
If a student’s petition is not approved, and the student wishes to appeal the decision, they will have until January 31 to submit an appeal. Only the petitioner can submit an appeal. The petitioner should email their appeal to the current chair(s) of the SAIP Committee. The appeal needs to include the following:
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Statement explaining in detail why the student believes the decision should be reconsidered, along with any extenuating circumstances or mitigating factors that were not addressed in the original petition materials.
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Optional additional materials or evidence to support the petitioner’s request. This could include a written statement from a student’s academic adviser endorsing their petition and academic rationale.
The decision made by SAIP Committee on an appeal is final.
Study Abroad Advising & Application Process
Students are encouraged to plan well in advance and are required to consult with their faculty advisers early in their academic career. Some programs have specific foreign language or other prerequisites. The Office of Study Abroad & International Programs offers information sessions throughout the year and can provide interested students with advising on their program choices and planning steps, based on their academic, personal, and professional goals.
Students typically participate on study abroad programs in their junior year or the first semester of their senior year and those students are given priority. Students may participate as sophomores if appropriate to the student’s academic plan. Sophomores are not eligible for non-approved programs.
Applications for participation in approved study abroad programs for Summer 2025, Fall 2025 and full-year 2025-26 programs are due by November 15, 2024. Applications for Spring 2026 are due on May 1, 2025. Priority is given to students meeting all Pitzer application deadlines. Students petitioning to attend non-approved programs for either the Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 have one application deadline, which is November 15, 2024. Late applications for non-approved programs will not be considered.
Applications will be reviewed and approved by Pitzer based on a student’s college record, the strength of the application essays, and suitability of the chosen program. Pitzer Programs, Exchange Programs, and non-approved programs will be competitive if the number of applicants exceed the number of spaces available. All applicants are strongly encouraged to list another approved option as an alternative. Students on academic or disciplinary probation or with outstanding debts to the College are ineligible for participation in study abroad.
Consult the study abroad website for more information about the application process.
Cost
Students participating in semester or year-long study abroad programs pay a comprehensive fee (inclusive of Pitzer tuition, the on-campus universal room rate, the on-campus meal plan rate) that is equivalent to the cost of a semester at Pitzer. Additionally, students are charged an airfare contribution (currently $600), and the College will cover the remainder of the airfare charges out of the closest international airport nearest the student’s home in the U.S. For students who do not permanently reside in the U.S, the maximum airfare is based on the cost of a round-trip flight from Los Angeles. Students traveling on dates that differ from the program dates or departing from airports other than their approved airport may be responsible for the additional airfare charges.
Students participating in summer study abroad programs through Pitzer College are charged a comprehensive fee, similar to the tuition for two summer session courses. The $600 travel contribution is not charged to summer program participants.
All fees, charges and expenses are payable in U.S. dollars in Claremont, California. There are other costs associated with overseas study that students should plan for in their budget. Students are advised to review the study abroad website and consult with a study abroad adviser early in the process about any additional expenses.
Financial Aid
Financial aid recipients who study abroad for the semester or academic year are eligible to receive financial aid during their semester abroad and will generally receive the same level of aid while abroad that they would while at Pitzer. Financial aid for summer study abroad is available but may be limited. Financial aid is only available for Approved Programs and non-approved programs approved by the Study Abroad and International Programs Committee. Students should contact the Office of Financial Aid for questions about study abroad financial aid.
Registration, Credit, and Transcripts
Credit and grades for Pitzer Programs will appear on the Pitzer College transcript and be factored into the term and cumulative GPA. Students must take all courses offered on the program, and no drops or substitutions are permitted. Students must also take all courses for a letter grade, not pass/no credit.
Credit and grades for all other programs will appear on a student’s transcript but will not be calculated into the GPA. Students are required to enroll in a full-time course load as defined by the program and Pitzer College. In most cases, and for most programs, this means that students must take a course load abroad that is the equivalent of 4 Pitzer credits. Students must pay attention to the credit awarded for their coursework, not the number of classes. Please consult the Office of Study Abroad & International Programs and the Registrar about the amount of credit typically awarded for each program.
All students are required to study the host language if English is not an official language of the study abroad destination.
Field groups in conjunction with the Registrar will determine whether courses taken abroad can be used to fulfill requirements for a major or a minor. The coursework completed on a study abroad program may be used toward the residency requirement of 16 courses completed while registered at Pitzer.
No Pitzer College credit will be granted to Pitzer students for programs abroad during the academic year without prior approval of the Study Abroad and International Programs Committee and payment of the regular Pitzer College comprehensive fee and airfare contribution. This applies to any coursework taken outside of the United States or outside the campus of another U.S. institution during the regular academic year. This policy does not apply to summer programs or to courses enrolled in or completed by students prior to their admission to Pitzer College.
Transfer of study abroad credits is NOT allowed for coursework taken outside the U.S. while on a leave of absence during the fall or spring semester.
Further information on study abroad is available through the Office of Study Abroad & International Programs. Students are encouraged to drop in or contact the office by e-mail at studyabroad@pitzer.edu or visit the Pitzer College Study Abroad Website at www.pitzer.edu/studyabroad.
International Scholars Program
The International Scholars Program offers a dedicated first-year curriculum for a cohort of international students focused on English language and U.S. college culture. Students develop the sophisticated level of English needed to actively participate in the challenging liberal arts education at Pitzer and The Claremont Colleges and receive support as they move into increasingly demanding courses across the college curriculum. Students admitted to the program must complete four International Scholars courses, all of which earn full credit and count toward graduation requirements. For visiting exchange students, the program may serve as an intensive language and culture program equivalent to that which Pitzer students take during their own study abroad experiences. Academic Director, International Scholars Program: Leah Herman
Courses in International Scholars Program (for non-native speakers of English):
The Modern Languages, Literatures & Cultures (MLLC) field group also offers courses in culture studies, which enable students who are studying outside their native countries to reflect on their experiences, deepen their cultural knowledge of the countries in which they are studying, and develop the skills to become agents of intercultural understanding.
Courses in Culture Studies:
Community-Based Programs Community Engagement Center (CEC)
The Community Engagement Center (CEC) is the hub for social justice praxis at Pitzer College (connecting theoretical frameworks with experiential learning/applied research and continuous critical reflection). CEC supports Pitzer faculty, students, staff and community partners in forwarding social responsibility, social justice and community engagement across the world through research, advocacy, collaboration, and action. The CEC is particularly suited to assist students and faculty with community engagement classes related to the “social responsibility praxis,” “social justice theory” and/ or “intercultural understanding” graduation requirements (in addition to non-class related/volunteer engagement interests).
CEC supports research and education that contributes to the understanding of critical community issues and enhances the resources of community organizations. CEC supports community- based research projects and encourages experiential pedagogy through community-based partnerships. CEC offers a number of student internship opportunities, faculty fellowships, student and faculty awards, programming/ event support, and more.. CEC nurtures and supports community-based work with partners organized across five thematic clusters: Health and Environment; Immigration and Labor; Education and Mentoring; Arts and Culture; Incarceration, Re-Entry, and Recovery. Through engagement with community partners, a variety of concrete projects and meaningful, reciprocal relationships have been nurtured. Programs include, for example, English language learning (ELL); urban farming and community gardens; letter writing campaigns and civic actions; tutoring, mentoring, literacy, and childcare; and facilitating college access programming through campus tours, letter writing, and events.
CEC works with dozens of local organizations and schools on themes related to social, cultural, political and environmental justice, and community-building. CEC supports faculty and students with the logistics of community engagement (travel, funding, and programmatic resources) as well as pedagogical and methodological tools related to research and service. Through on-going relationship-building with community partners and advocacy of community-based learning and teaching within the college culture and curriculum, CEC advances Pitzer’s learning objectives related to social responsibility, social justice, environmental sustainability, and intercultural understanding.
CEC recognizes and honors the students, staff, faculty, and community members (past and present) who founded each of Pitzer College’s community engagement programs and give thanks to all those who sustain these partnerships day after day. CEC invites all new faculty, staff and students to join us in existing and new community engagement collaborations!
CEC is located on the first floor of Scott Hall (108). Contact us at cec_staff@pitzer.edu or phone 909.607.8183. For further information, visit our website at www.pitzer.edu/cec/, our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CECPZ and our Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/pitzercec/.
Munroe Center for Social Inquiry
The Munroe Center for Social Inquiry at Pitzer College promotes interdisciplinary research and public discussion of important issues concerning society, cultures and public policy. Each year the Center sponsors a themed series of events, including lectures, seminars, panel discussions, exhibitions, screenings, and performances. Students of the Claremont Colleges can apply to be Student Fellows of the Center for each spring semester. For more information about the Center, see www.pitzer.edu/mcsi
Critical Action & Social Advocacy: Community Engagement and Cultural Immersion Program
Critical Action & Social Advocacy (CASA, formerly known as Pitzer in Ontario) is a justice-oriented, interdisciplinary, community engagement and cultural immersion program focused on community-based research. With theoretical foundations in the social sciences and a strong emphasis on experiential education, the program engages theories, strategies and research praxis tools for social change and community-building. These efforts are informed by community engagement practicums with community organizations, city agencies, and non-profits in order to identify and address pressing community issues. The CASA Pitzer academic program engages students, staff, faculty and community partners in collaborative projects and community-based participatory research on regional equity and justice pertaining to issues of incarceration, immigration, education, environment, labor, art, culture and health. All classes and many of the internships are held at CASA Pitzer, our storefront community hub located six miles from the Pitzer campus, which houses many of our partner organizations, hosts many community events and trainings, and is equipped as a community-based smart classroom. Students must take the two core CASA courses simultaneously: ONT 101 PZ -Critical Community Studies and ONT 105 PZ -Research Methods for Community Change . Due to the intensive 125-hour internships, fieldtrips and writing components of this program, students earn three credits for these two courses. CASA program core courses count toward majors in Sociology, Environmental Analysis, Organizational Studies, American Studies, and International/Intercultural Studies and fulfill the Intercultural Understanding-Domestic educational objective as well as the Social Justice Theory and Social Responsibility Praxis educational objectives.
Bachelor/Master’s
Accelerated (“4+1”) Degree Programs with Claremont Graduate University
Claremont Graduate University (CGU) offers superior undergraduate students at The Claremont Colleges the opportunity to work simultaneously toward the completion of their undergraduate degree requirements and a master’s degree in selected academic fields. Depending on the students’ qualifications, these programs will involve some shortening of the time normally required to complete an undergraduate and a master’s degree. The tuition and time savings are calculated on a case-by-case basis, but on average students save a semester of graduate study in time and tuition costs. For more information, visit: http://www.cgu.edu/pages/623.asp.
Combined Bachelor/ Medical Degree Program with Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (“Pitzer-WUCOMP” linkage program)
A unique linkage program between Pitzer and Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (WUCOMP) in nearby Pomona, California, allows students to complete the BA degree from Pitzer and the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree in seven years.
Admission to this program is highly selective and a joint Admission Committee admits roughly 8-10 students into the program each year. The Admission Committee expects that applicants have taken some of the most challenging courses offered at their high school, including Honor/AP/IB biology, Honor/AP/IB chemistry, Honor/AP/IB physics and Honor/AP/IB calculus. In addition, we expect to see community involvement in health care and motivation for a career in primary care medicine. Finalists are required to come for a day-long personal interview with the Admission Committee at Pitzer and Western University in late February or early March. Interview dates change from year to year, so we advise you to check our website for the most up-to-date information.
Admitted students will study at Pitzer for three years, fulfilling the Education Objectives and premedical requirements, interacting with Western University clinics and physicians, and undertaking medically related internships. Upon completion of their third year at Pitzer and having maintained a minimum overall GPA of 3.50 in the science, a minimum overall score of 505 on the Medical College Admission Test, and demonstrated personal dedication and traits suitable for health professions and career development, students will be admitted to Western University of Health Sciences where they will pursue the four-year course of study for the DO degree. This is followed by internship and residency. For further information, visit: https://www.pitzer.edu/admission/joint-medical-program/ Applications are available through the Common Application.
Combined BA/BSE in Management Engineering
A five-year program, offered in conjunction with other institutions, allows students to receive both a bachelor of arts degree in Management Engineering from Pitzer and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering from the second institution. The first three years of study are undertaken on the Pitzer campus. After this, students enroll in the engineering programs at other institutions. Upon completion of the two-year engineering program, graduates simultaneously receive an engineering degree from the second institution and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Pitzer. Although a formal program exists with Columbia University, students can transfer to other engineering programs. It is essential for students to plan courses carefully and early in the program. More details are available by visiting: https://www.kecksci.claremont.edu/academics/management-engineering-cmc-pitzer/.
Internships
Internships during the academic year and over the summer are incredibly important experiential learning opportunities that can have a substantial impact on a student’s ability to achieve their post-graduation goals. Pitzer students should strive to have at least one, and preferably two or three substantive internships or other career-related experiential learning opportunities during their time at Pitzer. Pitzer Career Services provides students with the techniques and resources to seek after internship opportunities. Pitzer students have access to thousands of internship opportunities in Southern California and around the world each year through Career Services (Handshake) and the Community Engagement Center (CEC). Due to the generosity of many Pitzer graduates and parent/family member donors, Career Services also awards a limited number of stipends to students each year to support substantive summer internships or research opportunities through Career Services Summer Funding sources..
Independent Study
Independent Study is a creative option for students wanting to explore an area in more depth. The provisions for Independent Study are intended by the faculty to foster students’ intellectual development. It is hoped that students will develop the capacity to plan and execute projects of their own conception and will acquire a competence in original research and writing beyond that required by the regular courses of instruction. .
Teacher Education
As preparation for teaching all subjects in an elementary school classroom, students must pass the MSAT (Multiple Subjects Assessment for Teachers) of the PRAXIS Series and the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) which they are strongly encouraged to take before their senior year. Interested students should see Professor Mita Banerjee (mita_banerjee@pitzer.edu) or Professor Maya Federman (maya_federman@pitzer.edu) and should contact Career Services for information regarding teaching as a career. The Office of Teacher Education at Claremont Graduate University (http://www.cgu.edu/pages/1642.asp) also has specific information regarding its Internship Program.
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