Westminster College (WC, Westminster College Salt Lake, Westminster College Salt Lake City, Westminster College Salt Lake City Utah) Academics and Unique Programs

Academics

Founded in 1875, Westminster College was the first accredited junior college in Utah, and it is the only accredited liberal arts college in the state. It is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The college offers over 70 undergraduate and graduate programs that students can choose from. The college emphasizes interactive learning and real world experiences. The college is divided into four schools: the School of Arts and Sciences; the School of Education, which is accredited by the Utah State Board of Education and by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC); the Bill and Vieve Gore School of Business, which is accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs; and the School of Nursing and Health Sciences. The Nursing Program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and approved by the Utah State Board of Nursing.

Class sizes at this college are small, with the majority of the classes having fewer than 20 students. The student-to-faculty ratio is 10 to 1. The most popular majors at Westminster College include: Psychology; Business, management, marketing, and related support services; Social sciences; Health professions and related clinical sciences; and Transportation and materials moving.

The college has received rave reviews from publications such as Peterson’s Guide to Competitive Colleges, U.S. News & World Report, and the Princeton Review’s “368 Best Colleges of 2008.” It offers a multitude of resources and programs to help students have successful and distinctive experiences. The college offers study abroad programs to exotic and nontraditional locations. While Westminster College does not offer online classes, many classes incorporate the use of WebCT, an integrated e-learning system.

Most Popular Fields of Study

Information Summary

Ranks 4th in Utah and 613th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	85.2
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$48,264
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	27 / 1258
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	14 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	82% / 33%
Enrollment Total (all students)	2,477

Unique Programs

One very unique curriculum at Westminster College is its aviation program. Westminster has a flight simulation and testing center on campus, as well as its own flight center at Salt Lake International Airport. Students can major in Flight Operations or Aviation Management. Another unique and very popular program is the McNair Scholars program, an elite federally-funded program that helps low-income, first generation and underrepresented students prepare for graduate school.

Winter at Westminster is an interesting and innovative study abroad alternative that combines unforgettable snow sports activities with 12-16 transferable credits. For example, students can ski or snowboard on the “Greatest Snow on Earth”, enjoy world-class resorts, and earn college credit. Similarly, May Term offers Westminster students the opportunity to travel regionally or internationally during this month-long semester, while taking interesting classes and having extraordinary experiences. Tuition for this program is free for students who were enrolled full-time at the college during the previous fall and spring semesters. Students are only responsible for paying for the trip expenses.

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Admissions

Prospective students have three options for applying to Westminster:

The Westminster online application
The Westminster paper application, which can be faxed or mailed to the Admissions Office
The Common Application

Regardless of which application is used, all applicants must submit official transcripts, recommendations from their guidance counselors, ACT or SAT score reports, a personal essay, and a nonrefundable application fee.

Westminster uses a rolling admissions plan. The college begins to accept applications in September. Students should note that international students, transfer students, and graduate students may have different or additional requirements.

Applicants are generally notified of their admission decisions within one week of submitting their completed applications.

Financial Aid

Each year, Westminster College awards more than $40 million in financial aid to its students. Nearly 98% of the college’s incoming freshmen receive some form of merit-based in addition to or in lieu of need-based financial aid. Students are encouraged to contact the financial aid office for more information or assistance with filing their applications. All students who wish to be considered for financial aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is generally processed within 2-3 weeks of submission.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 4243rd for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Utah.

Students

The culture at Westminster College is mellow and welcoming. The student body is diverse with undergraduates and graduates, residents and commuters; there are students of all ages and from different cultures. On-campus housing is available, and the priority deadline for housing applications is May 15. First-year students are guaranteed housing if they submit their applications before the deadline. Residence halls offer both apartment style halls and traditional dorm layouts.

There are many activities in which students can participate on campus. Westminster has a Campus Concierge, who keeps students informed activities and events on campus and in the local community. Students can enjoy concerts, plays, films, lectures, exhibits, and athletic events. There are also more than 50 clubs and student organizations on campus.

Students also have access to a wide variety of services that include support for international students, disability services, counseling, spiritual counseling, and a career resource center. There is Student Health Center, where students can get quick and convenient care for very low costs.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

Formerly known as the “Parsons,” the Westminster Griffins compete in the Frontier Conference of the NAIA’s Division I athletics for most intercollegiate sports. Men’s and women’s alpine skiing and snowboard teams compete in the United States Ski Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association (USCSA), while the men’s lacrosse team competes at the MCLA Division II level in the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse Conference (RMLC) and the women’s lacrosse team competes in the US Lacrosse Women’s Division Intercollegiate Associates (WDIA) in the Rocky Mountain Women’s Lacrosse League (RMWLL). Other sports offered include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, and track & field. The men’s lacrosse team won the 2008 Division II MCLA National Championship, held at Texas Stadium, with a 17-10 win over Grand Valley State. The first national championship in Westminster’s 130 year history, this was a huge accomplishment as it was only the second year since the lacrosse program had begun.

Alumni

Heather McPhie, freestyle moguls skier & member of the 2010 American Olympic team
William Wong, philanthropist
Richard Wood, molecular biologist & Meyenburg Prize winner
Col. Roberta Roberts Patrick, achieved the highest rank possible for a female in the U.S. Marines at the time

Bibliography

Snider, Mark. Colleges in the West. Lawrenceville: Peterson’s, 2009.

“Westminster College.” Education. U.S. News & World Report, 2011. Web. 9 May 2011.

Westminster College. Westminster College. 2011. Web. 9 May 2011.

Westminster College