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Pitzer College
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Pitzer College - Academics - College ProwlerCollege Prowler4.62

Academics

A
Where does this grade come from?View all Academics rankingsReview this school to add your opinion

Comparable Schools' Academics Grades:

Quick Stats

Student-Faculty Ratio 11:1
Full-Time Student Population 986
Part-Time Student Population 57
Full-Time Instructional Faculty 83
Part-Time Instructional Faculty 19
Total FT Faculty 83
Faculty with Terminal Degree 100%
Average Faculty Salary $85,991
Full-Time Retention Rate 89%
Graduation Rate 69%
Programs/Majors Offered 59
Average Course Load 4 courses
Academic/Career Counseling? Yes
Remedial Services? Yes
Class Sizes
  • Fewer than 20 students: 67%
  • 20 to 49 students: 33%
  • 50 or more students: 0%

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

One of the greatest advantages of attending a small liberal arts college is the deep connection you can make with professors, both inside and outside the classroom. Pitzer prides itself in being an institution that strives to encourage its students to make a difference in the world, and the professors play a great role in this aspect. At Pitzer, the student-to-faculty ratio is 11 to 1, and the majority of classes has less than 20 students. Because of this, students are able to form a deep connection with their professors who oftentimes will go miles out of their way to help a student succeed. The workload is challenging but manageable. If students plan accordingly, getting work done on time won't be a difficult task!

As a member of the Claremont Consortium, Pitzer students are able to take classes at any of the other four Claremont Colleges (Pomona, Scripps, Claremont McKenna, and Harvey Mudd). This broadens the students' class selection, as well as provides them with different teaching styles and classroom environments. Class registration gets easier as you move up in years, with the older students getting better registration times than the incoming classes below them. Even so, it isn't too difficult to get into the classes you want, and you can always talk to the professors who often make exceptions and let you into the class if you ask! Instead of general education courses, Pitzer has six educational objectives that the students must fulfill: "Breadth of Knowledge," "Understanding in Depth," "Critical Thinking," "Interdisciplinary Perspective," "Intercultural Understanding," and "Concern with Social Responsibility and the Ethical Implications of Knowledge and Action." Through the courses taken to meet the intellectual goals of Pitzer College, students are able to design an individualized program of study for their four years at the school.

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Pitzer Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Academics at Pitzer College

nfarkas

'03

Counseling Psychology

4.2
A-

Psychology Major

Psychology and other soft science subjects are popular at Pitzer College. I received an excellent education at Pitzer. The small classes were perfect to get to know the professors and other students. The 5-C (5-Claremont Colleges) were used to fulfill other course requirements if Pitzer's classes were full, or if you wanted to take a course on another campus that wasn't offered at Pitzer. It's a great education all around with many options that may be unavailable at other schools. Downfall: I was not prepared for the real world beyond academics. That maybe because I didn't seek out realistic courses that would prepare me for the business world. This includes resume prep, how to move up in the psych industry, networking, understanding bank statements, etc. However, this could be normal and what you'll have to learn on your own through real world experience.

Aug 22, 2011

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Academics at Pitzer College

Madonna92

'14

Women's Studies

3.5
B

Academics Are Better at the Surrounding Colleges

I expected more from the academics. I definitely recommend taking classes at other schools for classes that are more of a college level challenge though Pitzer is strong when it comes to the Sociology department and the sciences are great in the Joint Science Department.

Aug 19, 2011

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Academics at Pitzer College

isabellele

'14

Psychology & Counseling

4.2
A-

Freshman Frenzy

As a freshman at Pitzer trying to major in Psychology, it was very difficult to get the upper level classes to fill my pre-requisite. They make the introductory courses open for freshman which is convenient.

Jul 07, 2011

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Page 1 of 14

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate your school’s professors on the following topics

Rate your school’s academic environment on the following topics

Facts

Instructional Programs Occupational: No
Academic: Yes
Continuing Professional: No
Recreational/Avocational: No
Adult Basic Remedial: No
Secondary (High School): No
Special Credit Opportunities Advanced Placement (AP) Credits: Yes
Dual Credit: Yes
Life Experience Credits: No
AP Test Score Requirements Possible credit for scores of 4 or higher. AP credit only counts towards the 32-course graduation requirement and may not count toward major requirements
IB Test Score Requirements Possible credit for scores of 4 or higher
Degrees Awarded Bachelor's degree
Most Popular Majors
  • International/Global Studies: 3%
  • Mass Communication: 4%
  • Political Science and Government, General: 4%
  • Psychology: 6%
Graduation Requirements
  • Arts/fine arts
  • English (including composition)
  • Humanities
  • Interdisciplinary/intercultural exploration
  • Mathematics
  • Sciences (biological or physical)
  • Social responsibility
  • Social science
Special Study Options Study abroad
Other Academic Offerings
  • Cooperative education program
  • Cross-registration
  • Double major
  • English as a Second Language (ESL)
  • Exchange student program (domestic)
  • Honors program
  • Independent study
  • Internships
  • Liberal arts/career combination
  • Student-designed major
Best Places to Study
  • Atherton study rooms
  • The Grove House
  • Honnold/Mudd Library
  • Marquis Library
  • The Motley (Scripps's coffeehouse)
  • The Mounds
  • The pool (near the Gold Student Center)
Did You Know?
  • In 2011, Pitzer College added a major in secularism and is the first college or university in the United States to do so!
  • During your first semester at Pitzer, you will be enrolled in what is called a "Freshman Seminar" consisting of no more than 17 students, each with a different theme.
  • Pitzer College is highly unique in that it is a member of the Claremont Colleges. This consortium consists of five undergraduate institutions (Pitzer, Claremont McKenna, Scripps, Harvey Mudd, and Pomona colleges), two graduate schools (Claremont Graduate Institution and the Keck Graduate Institution), and a theological school (Claremont School of Theology). The five colleges (5Cs) share resources, and inter-registration between is widespread. A Pitzer student may take classes at any of the 5Cs without special registration or transference of credits.
  • Pitzer encourages its students to develop their own major and course of study if they feel so inclined. Students often double major or combine their majors in order to complete a concentration that interests them or to focus on an area of specialty. Student-designed majors include multicultural pedagogy, labor studies, folklore, politics of art, and East Central European studies.
  • Pitzer students have research opportunities as early as their first year. Students may apply for grant money and do independent studies and research for credit.
  • When Pitzer is hiring a new professor to join its staff, the administration actually gives students a say in which new faculty member they would like to join the Pitzer family.

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Most Recent Student Author

College Prowler guides are in the hands of students throughout the entire process. Because you can't make student-written guides without the students, we have students at each campus who write, edit, and survey their peers for every guide that we publish. Thanks to our most recent student author at Pitzer

Name: Morgan Peterkin

Hometown: Greenwich, CT

Major: English and World Literature

Grad Year: 2012

see all student author bios > Become a student author to help update the guide for this school

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