Occidental College

Programs: See schedule oacademic program: founded in 1887, occidental college was one of the first liberal arts colleges in california and today is one of the country's few liberal arts colleges in an urban setting. Occidental offers undergraduate degrees in a wide range of disciplines and a master's degree in marine biology. Its 2,055 students, drawn from around the world, choose from 43 majors and minors taught by 188 full-time and 89 part-time faculty. Course work is integrated with opportunities for independent study, one of the country's top undergraduate research programs, study in dozens of foreign countries, the country's only campaign semester and residential united nations programs for undergraduates. Occidental has exchange, joint degree, or cross-registration programs with caltech, art center college of design, columbia university, and keck graduate institute. Since winning its first rhodes scholarship in 1907, occidental has consistently won national and international recognition for academic achievement. Dedicated to excellence and equity, occidental also is one of the country's most economically diverse campuses, according to the new york times. Some 71 percent of oxy students receive some form of financial aid; 20 percent are pell grant recipients; and 15 percent are the first in their family to attend college.

see schedule oco-curricular program: occidental offers a wide range of co-curricular programs, from the student-run blyth fund, which oversees a six-figure investment fund that makes up part of the college's endowment, to the internships offered through the recently renovated and expanded hameetman career center. There are more than 100 student clubs and organizations, as well as an online radio station, award-winning weekly newspaper, and literary magazine. As one of the founders of intercollegiate athletics in southern california, occidental offers 21 varsity sports for men and women, as well as six club sports and five intramural programs for men and women.

see schedule opublic service: occidental is recognized as a community engagement institution by the carnegie foundation for the advancement of teaching and has repeatedly been named to the president's higher education community service honor roll for its exemplary service efforts. Occidental's tradition of community outreach dates back to 1963, when the college's community literacy center was founded to provide one-on-one reading and writing instruction for local k-6 children. It also is home to one of california's oldest and largest upward bound programs for disadvantaged high school youth. Occidental has integrated community engagement into its curriculum, taking advantage of its location in los angeles. Three linked programs the office for community engagement, the center for community based learning, and the urban & environmental policy institute connect curriculum, co-curricular activities, and research and community-based efforts.