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The College

Since 1880 Bridgewater Colleges mission has been to Educate and develop the whole person. At Bridgewater it is believed that exceptional scholarship and academic excellence must be combined with a focus on the formation of values, character, and leadership ability. This educational vision is made unique by its application. Learning and growth at Bridgewater focuses on each individuals personal development, recognizing and developing each persons gifts and potential.

On-campus housing is guaranteed at Bridgewater, and the close interaction among peers contributes to a thriving spirit of community, where students and faculty and staff members demonstrate respect and care for one another. More than 1,550 students are enrolled representing a variety of backgrounds and religious affiliations. Students come from twenty-six states and eight countries, with the majority from Virginia and the mid-Atlantic states.

An apartment-style residence hall, seven traditional residence halls, ten College-owned houses, and ten apartments are located on the campus for residential students. New students are assigned to a residence hall room with another new student of compatible interests through a nonautomated housing-selection process.

More than seventy clubs, societies, and organizations exist on the campus to meet students needs and interests. Health and physical education facilities include a large gymnasium, a 25-meter indoor pool, playing fields, and an all-weather track. The Funkhouser Center for Health and Wellness provides facilities for intramural and recreational activities, including basketball, racquetball courts, and volleyball; a cardiac and weight-training center; an indoor track; and a multipurpose room for aerobics, dance, and wrestling. A complete schedule of intercollegiate sports for men and women is offered during each session, and an extensive intramural sports program, open to all students, promotes sportsmanship, leadership, physical health, and team play. The College is a member of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) and the NCAA Division III.

Special services available to assist students with academic and personal needs include a writing center, tutors, academic support workshops, career services, counseling services, and a chaplain. Reasonable and appropriate accommodations are provided to enrolled students with documented disabilities to ensure equal access to the academic program and College-administered activities.

Bridgewater College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia, 30033-4097; telephone: 404-679-4501) to award baccalaureate degrees.

Location

Bridgewater College (BC) is located in the town of Bridgewater in the scenic and historic Shenandoah Valley. Facilities for boarding horses are adjacent to the campus, and also five miles south at the Bridgewater College Equestrian Center. Bridgewater is located 7 miles south of the city of Harrisonburg and is convenient to the urban areas of Washington, D.C.; Richmond; and Roanoke. Air transportation is available at Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport, 13miles from the campus. The valley area is rich in the history of the early United States and the Civil War. The College conducts an Outdoor Program to provide students with opportunities to participate in outdoor activities, such as climbing, hiking, skiing, and whitewater rafting and the BC Outdoor Center provides supplies for camping and canoeing.

Majors and Degrees

Bridgewater College offers majors in allied health science, applied physics (tracks in engineering physics, physical science, physics and technology), art (tracks in digital media/graphics design, digital media/photography, traditional studio media), athletic training, biology, business administration, chemistry, communication studies, computer science, economics, English (tracks in language and literature, literary studies, writing), environmental science, family and consumer sciences, French, health and exercise science, health and physical education, history, history and political science, information systems management, international studies, liberal studies (available only to students in the elementary programs), mathematics, medical technology, music, nutrition and wellness, philosophy and religion, physics, physics and mathematics, political science, psychology, sociology, and Spanish.

The College offers four-year curricula leading to the bachelors degree and a state-approved program of teacher preparation at the PK6 and 612 levels. The elementary education program prepares the student to teach in PK through grade 6. The secondary education program prepares students to teach in the content areas in grades 612. Art, music (vocal and instrumental), health and physical education, foreign language, and English as a second language (ESL) endorsements prepare students to teach in grades PK through 12. Students who complete Bridgewaters teacher education program may be certified to teach in other states.

Minors may be earned in art (tracks in art history and criticism, digital media, traditional media), biology, business administration, chemistry, coaching, communication studies, computer information systems, computer science, crime and justice, economics, English, equine studies, family and consumer sciences, French, German, history, international studies, mathematics, music, neuroscience, nutrition and wellness, peace studies, philosophy and religion, physics, political science, psychology, social work, sociology, Spanish, and theater.

Concentrations and specializations are available in accounting, church music, comparative cultural analysis, family and consumer sciences education, fashion merchandising, finance, interior design, international commerce, marketing, media studies (communications), organization management, public relations, and U.S. history.

Dual-degree programs are offered in engineering with George Washington University and Virginia Tech, forestry with Duke University, nursing with Vanderbilt University, veterinary science with Virginia Tech, and physical therapy with Shenandoah University and George Washington University. Bridgewater is also associated with American University for internships/research opportunities in their Washington Semester and World Capitals program. Preprofessional programs are offered in dentistry, engineering, law, medicine, ministry, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physical therapy, and veterinary science.

Academic Programs

Bridgewaters emphasis on the liberal arts reflects a commitment to writing, public speaking, analytical and critical thinking, and global awareness and understanding. The general education curriculum enhances the depth of knowledge gained through academic major courses, which ultimately prepare students for work after graduation, or for graduate or professional studies. Through the Personal Development Portfolio (PDP) program, students document their participation in scholarly activities and cocurricular pursuits that foster intellectual, emotional, physical, and spiritual growth. In doing so, students are challenged not only to develop their talents but also to venture beyond their chosen disciplines to discover new interests. In addition, a focus on service learning and an emphasis on ethical development round out the educational experience.

Students may also add to their curriculum by completing minor field requirements. Flexibility is added to the academic program through an internship program, honors projects, independent study, and the Honors Program. Bridgewaters academic calendar provides a January interterm experience, when many of the courses offered provide opportunities to travel in the United States and abroad. Students may be exempted from certain course requirements by demonstrating proficiency in written expression, quantitative reasoning, or foreign languages. Credit and advanced placement are awarded to students on the basis of scores on Advanced Placement tests of the College Board. In order to be considered for unassigned credit, course credit, and/or exemption from certain requirements, students must earn scores of 3 or higher (varies by department) on Advanced Placement tests or a 5, 6, or 7 on the International Baccalaureate examination.

Off-Campus Programs

The Brethren Colleges Abroad program gives students the opportunity to study in Australia, Belgium, China, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, and Spain. The program provides a firsthand knowledge of a foreign language and culture and an opportunity to become an active participant in the challenging task of creating a climate of mutual respect and understanding among the nations of the world.

Academic Facilities

Bridgewater has outstanding classroom and scientific laboratory facilities. Each classroom building has computer laboratories with Internet and campus network access for student use. The Cole Hall auditorium seats approximately 650 people and is equipped with a stage, dressing rooms, a stage lighting system, two artist grand pianos, and a fifty-one-rank Mller pipe organ. The Carter Center for Worship and Music includes a recital hall, a chapel, ten soundproof practice rooms, a Steinway concert grand piano, two Reuter pipe organs, and twenty-three pianos for practice and instruction. Special library collections include the Church of the Brethren Collection, Genealogy, and Virginiana. The Reuel B. Pritchett Museum contains more than 10,000 items of historical, cultural, and religious interest.

Costs

The cost for residential students for 200809 is $32,990. Accounts are payable by the semester or through a monthly payment plan arranged through an external agency.

Financial Aid

Scholarships, grants, loans, and on-campus jobs are available for qualified students through federal, state, institutional, and outside sources and are awarded in individualized financial aid packages. All applicants for need-based financial aid must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March1. A work-study program provides jobs for qualified students, and early application is advised. Academic scholarships up to full tuition are awarded based on a students GPA, SAT scores, and academic achievement. To be considered for an academic scholarship a student must apply and be accepted. No additional application is necessary.

Faculty

The Bridgewater faculty consists of 96 full-time members. Faculty members serve as faculty advisers, major professors, and sponsors of student organizations and activities. With a student-faculty ratio of 14:1, the small class sizes allow for one-to-one interaction with faculty members who model scholarship. Many professors at Bridgewater become mentors for their students, developing close working relationships as they take personal interest in each students academic progress, oversee student research projects, and advise students in career preparations. Students also have numerous opportunities throughout the academic year to interact with faculty members outside of the classroom at campus events such as recitals, theater productions, and athletic events.

Student Government

The Student Government acts as a representative of the student body by presenting student opinions and ideas to the faculty and administration and by interpreting the policies and standards of the College to the students. Through its own structure as well as the appointment of students to serve on College committees, the Student Government involves students in many aspects of the operation of the College. The student body president, vice president, and senators are elected by the students. The College Honor System is administered by the Honor Council, a judicial body composed of 9 students appointed by the student body president and with faculty members serving as advisers.

Admission Requirements

Bridgewater College seeks students with above-average preparation who demonstrate a serious attitude toward studies. Admissions decisions are made based on careful consideration of a students academic achievement, including GPA, standardized test scores (SAT or ACT), curriculum, and letters of recommendation. The admissions policy for transfers is similar to that of freshman applicants. The College seeks to enroll qualified students regardless of sex, race, color, creed, handicap, religion, or national or ethnic origin.

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