Special Academic Programs

Research Institutes

Claremont McKenna College plays a significant role in addressing public policy questions of importance to society through ten nationally recognized research institutes. The institutes serve to enrich the curriculum and provide timely research opportunities for students working closely with faculty scholars. They also attract distinguished scholars and lecturers to the College, provide students with a variety of internship experiences, and produce scholarly research valuable to the community, the state, and the nation. The institutes in the order of their founding are:

The Henry Salvatori Center for the Study of Individual Freedom in the Modern World

The Salvatori Center was founded in 1967. Through the conferences it holds and the research it conducts and sponsors, the Salvatori Center seeks to understand the relationship between individual freedom and the economic, social, moral, political, and legal conditions essential for its preservation. Within the general study of individual freedom, the Center’s work focuses particularly on the American Constitution - its founding principles and consequent judicial construction - and on questions of applied ethics. Professor Mark Blitz, Fletcher Jones Professor of Political Philosophy, serves as the director of the Center.

The Rose Institute of State and Local Government

The Rose Institute is a public policy institute that focuses on state and local government issues, especially in Southern California. In addition to conducting the annual “Kosmont-Rose Institute Cost of Doing Business Survey,” the Institute’s professional staff and student teams conduct research in four major areas: survey research, fiscal and economic analysis, geographic information systems (GIS) and demographics, and legal and regulatory analysis. The Institute educates students by involving them in policy-oriented projects that result in scholarly research of value to the community, the state, and the nation. Professor Andrew Busch, Crown Professor of Government, and George R. Roberts Fellow, serves as the director of the Institute and Professor Kenneth Miller, Associate Professor of Government, is the associate director.

The Keck Center for International and Strategic Studies

The Keck Center’s main goals are to engage students in the sophisticated analysis of contemporary international and strategic issues and to encourage and support students and faculty to conduct research on critical issues in world affairs. The Center’s activities include support for students’ research, extracurricular activities and practical experiences, student fellowships and awards, oversight of summer internships, curriculum development, public lectures, visiting professors, scholarly conferences and workshops, faculty research, and library collections. The Center offers four student fellowships in international strategic studies and Asian studies. Professor Minxin Pei, the Tom and Margot Pritzker Professor of Government and Roberts Fellow, is the director of the Center.

The Lowe Institute of Political Economy

The mission of the Lowe Institute is to promote undergraduate education in economics and to enhance the public visibility of the College and its sister institutions. Founded in 1986, the Institute offers a variety of programs to provide learning opportunities for students outside the classroom including: a faculty-student research program, a public lecture series and a public policy focus on forecasting in the Inland Empire. Research results are published in professional journals. Professor Marc Weidenmier, William F. Podlich Professor of Economics and George R. Roberts Fellow, is the director.

The Roberts Environmental Center

The Roberts Environmental Center (REC) is closely associated with the Environment, Economics, and Politics (EEP)  major. The major pursues an interdisciplinary approach equipping students with the skills to manage environmental issues and opportunities for the real world. Recent REC projects include analyzing corporate environmental and sustainability reports, conducting a forest fire re-vegetation study in the Eastern Sierra (northern California), preparing the College’s campus sustainability report, and conducting an exploratory sustainability project in Wolong Panda Reserve (China). Professor Emil Morhardt, the Roberts Professor of Environmental Biology, is the director of the Center.

The Family of Benjamin Z. Gould Center for Humanistic Studies

Established in 1985, the Gould Center for Humanistic Studies examines the major forces that have gone into, and are still at work in, the formation of the modern world: science, capitalism and industrialization. Its researchers are also concerned with the great changes in attitudes that accompanied the growth of the world. Distinguished visiting fellows are brought to the Center, summer research fellowships are awarded to faculty, and six Dunbar Fellowships actively` involve students in faculty research and course design. Additionally, the Center promotes the arts and humanities on campus by organizing concerts and exhibitions and arranging excursions to local cultural venues. Professor Robert Faggen, Barton Evans and H. Andrea Neves Professor of Literature, is the director of the Center.

The Kravis Leadership Institute

The Kravis Leadership Institute (KLI) administers the Leadership Studies Sequence , including psychology, government, history, literature, philosophy, economics, and military science and leadership courses, including entrepreneurship courses focused on both business and social venture models. The Institute also administers a wide range of co-curricular student leadership development programs in addition to the oversight of the student-led nonprofit consulting program, SOURCE. Students work with KLI faculty on research projects studying leadership dynamics. The Institute also pursues numerous interdisciplinary research projects on leadership performance, entrepreneurship, and organizational effectiveness. The Institute presents the annual Kravis-deRoulet Leadership Conference and publishes a newsletter, Illumine, as well as sponsors an annual speakers series. Professor Jay Conger, the Henry R. Kravis Research Chair in Leadership Studies, serves as the institute chair and Visiting Professor Sarah Smith Orr, serves as the Institute Executive Director.

The Berger Institute for Work, Family, and Children

The Berger Institute for Work, Family, and Children was established in 2001 to be a leading source of research on significant issues impacting the intersection between work and family. The Berger Institute focuses on quantitative research impacting business practices and families; supports high-quality interdisciplinary research by talented CMC professors, which will lead to publishing opportunities; provides challenging and stimulating educational experiences for CMC students from freshman year through graduation, resulting in high-quality student work and publishing opportunities; and connects with the wider CMC community, including alumni and parents of students to provide practical information about significant work/family issues. Professor Heather Antecol, Boswell Professor of Economics, is the director of the Institute.

The Center for Human Rights Leadership

With study of the Holocaust as its foundation, the Center promotes research, publication, teaching, internships, and academic travel programs that explore not only the causes of genocide and human rights abuses but also the ethical commitments, economic policies, political processes, and leadership qualities that are necessary to oppose those destructive conditions. Through its program of visiting scholars, conferences, academic travel opportunities, and student grants, the Center particularly encourages interaction among undergraduates and leading scholars in the field. Professor P. Edward Haley, W.M. Keck Foundation Chair of International Strategic Studies and Professor of Government, serves as the director of the Center.

The Financial Economics Institute

The Financial Economics Institute (FEI) administers a unique curricular program, the Financial Economics sequence, which affords a rigorous educational opportunity for CMC students that is distinguished both by its liberal arts emphasis and quantitative orientation. The Institute provides databases and other resources to support faculty and student research, and sponsors conferences, workshops, and other events intended to bridge theory and practice. Each year, the FEI sponsors a trip that allows CMC students to visit some of the leading financial institutions in New York City. Professor Lisa Meulbroek, Fritz B. Burns Professor of Financial Economics, is the director of the Institute; Professor Eric Hughson, the Don and Lorraine Freeberg Professor of Economics and Finance, is the associate director.

Other Academic Resources and Programs

Fluency in Information Technology

The Fluency in Information Technology Program (FITness) works with the faculty to integrate technology into CMC courses where appropriate and to assist student learning of technology skills and concepts. Now entering its ninth year at the College, the FITness Program has been approved as a formal component of the curriculum at CMC. Taking an “Across the Curriculum” approach, the FITness Program provides CMC students with the discipline-specific skills they will need to succeed in leadership roles after graduation. These skills include:

• Online Communication: mastery of email, online collaboration, and understanding of proper conduct
• Presentations: mastery of electronic presentation tools and understanding of their proper usage
• Structured Documents: mastery of word processing skills and platforms, web site authoring, mail merge, and other forms of document creation
• Data Analysis: comprehension of computerized statistical and other analytic tools, generation of graphs, use of mathematical software packages for numerical modeling
• Online Research: understanding of the strengths and limitations of internet research; use of online research databases and library systems; evaluation, use, and authorship of online data sources
• Online Ethics and Plagiarism: mastery of citation of online sources; understanding of online copyright and intellectual property issues
• Databases: ability to manage, organize, and retrieve information using a database.

Step-by-step study guides for each of these skills, as well as discipline specific emphases are available on-line to all students, faculty, and staff.

Claremont Autism Center

The Claremont Autism Center is a behavior management, treatment, and research program for children with autism and their families. It is internationally recognized and provides state-of-the-art treatment for the children and parents that attend. At the Autism Center, children receive one-on-one therapy that concentrates in areas of speech, social interactions, self-help skills, and academic learning tasks. Parents receive special training in behavior management techniques to treat their children at home.

The Center is a great opportunity for students to do research, intern, take classes in Applied Behavior Analysis, and get hands-on experience working with children with autism. The main areas of research are motivation, speech and communication, and social skills and play. Each child attends this program one day per week for a two-hour interval. The Autism Center has been in operation for 33 years, and has been under the direction of Professor Marjorie H. Charlop for the past 21 years.

Teaching Resource Center

The Teaching Resource Center (TRC) provides faculty with assistance designed to improve undergraduate teaching at Claremont McKenna College. Toward this goal, the Center sponsors and coordinates faculty symposia, workshops, and other activities dealing with issues central to teaching; offers assistance in developing teaching techniques, resources, and technology; and invites faculty to participate in professional development and leadership opportunities. The TRC also facilitates new faculty orientation.

Additionally, the TRC consults with individual faculty and departments to research and develop tools to enhance traditional and innovative classroom instruction. The work of the Center is supported by the Teaching Resource Center Committee with faculty and administrators dedicated to the Center’s mission. The TRC was established in 1999, and is directed by Professor Lisa Cody.

The European Union Center of California

The European Union Center of California (EUC), based at Scripps College, is a collaborative venture between The Claremont Colleges and the University of Southern California. The EUC was founded in 1998 with the assistance of the European Commission, and forms part of a network of ten such centers across the United States. The mission of the EU Center is the promotion of education, scholarly research and public understanding of European integration and its consequences. In the spring semester, the EUC offers a seminar open to all students.

Off-Campus Study

Claremont McKenna College strongly encourages its students to study off-campus during their college career. Whether off-campus study occurs abroad or within U.S., the College regards it as an extension of the on-campus educational experience, and expects the courses for which students receive academic credit to be in a field characteristic of the liberal arts and comparable to courses offered at The Claremont Colleges.

The Off-Campus Study Committee (OCSC) has jurisdiction over all aspects of CMC’s study abroad and off-campus programs, with the exception of the Washington Program and summer programs. The Committee makes policy, reviews programs, authorizes credits, and approves applicants. Students select a program from a list of approved options. In exceptional circumstances, students may attend other programs with special permission.

Study Abroad

CMC students who return from international study express the same sentiment: study abroad is a life-changing experience. They return to campus with fresh perspectives on international, political, economic and environmental issues. To help students learn first-hand about global issues, CMC is affiliated with universities and select programs around the world, giving CMC students a chance to choose from a multitude of program options in 44 countries.

The programs with which CMC is affiliated vary in field of study and format. Many are one semester in length, but some cover the full academic year.

Currently CMC is affiliated with (one or more) programs in the following countries:

Applications for Study Abroad

Study abroad is open to second semester sophomores and to juniors. Students select a program in consultation with the faculty and the Office of Off-Campus Study staff; students must begin the planning process a year in advance.

Applications are due approximately eight months prior to leaving campus. Please contact the Office of Off-Campus Study for specific deadline dates.

Requirements for Study Abroad

CMC has the following requirements for study abroad:

• To apply for study abroad, students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 9.00 for fall or academic year study abroad programs and 8.50 for spring programs (in special cases, exceptions may be made by the OCSC).
• Students must be registered full-time at CMC during the semester prior to leaving for study abroad.
• Once approved by the OCSC, students must maintain the required cumulative GPA of 9.00 or 8.50 for fall or spring respectively prior to leaving for their program abroad.
• Students wishing to study in non-English-speaking countries must complete at least one semester of the host foreign language at The Claremont Colleges before studying abroad, provided the language is offered at The Claremont Colleges.
• While abroad, all CMC students are required to study the host language.

Course Load for Study Abroad Programs

Students are expected to take the regular full-time course load while abroad - this can mean between three and seven courses, depending upon the program and the credit value of the courses. Students are also expected to complete all coursework for a letter grade by the end of the semester in which they study abroad (no incomplete grades, no late withdrawals, no exam-re-sits, no pass/fail or credit/no credit).

Course Credits for Study Abroad Programs

The maximum amount of credit CMC students may earn abroad is eight courses for an academic year, and four courses for one semester. Students who complete an internship while abroad may receive up to one-half CMC course credit, provided the internship meets the criteria set by the OCSC.

Academic credit will not be granted for study abroad completed while students are on leave from or have withdrawn from CMC.

Costs of Study Abroad

CMC students participating in study abroad or international exchange programs through CMC are charged CMC on-campus tuition, and a study abroad fee equivalent to one semester room and board for each semester abroad. The Associated Students fee is not charged. Students on financial aid continue receiving all aid while abroad. CMC pays the study abroad or international exchange program tuition and fees, including room and board. In addition, CMC provides a meal allowance for students participating on programs which do not include meals, as well as a travel allowance towards the cost of the round-trip airline ticket from LAX to the study abroad destination for each semester abroad. An allowance for local transportation and for international health insurance may also be provided.

For further information, see Financing Off-Campus Study  and Financial Aid and Study Abroad .

Financial Aid and Study Abroad

Students on financial aid continue to receive all financial aid while abroad, including state and federal aid, as well as private and merit scholarships. Students with CMC grants-in-aid will also continue to receive their grants.

For further information on financial aid for off-campus study and the Mary and Richard Butler Award for Study Abroad see Financing Off-Campus Study , Financial Aid and Study Abroad , and Scholarships .

National Security Education Program (NSEP) David L. Boren Undergraduate Merit Scholarships

NSEP Boren Scholarships provide support to U.S. undergraduates pursuing the study of languages and cultures currently underrepresented in study abroad and critical to U.S. national security (including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East). NSEP emphasizes the importance of language study as a major component of a study abroad program, but for many countries previous knowledge of the language is not required.. This merit scholarship provides up to $10,000 per semester ($20,000 for a full academic year). Preference is given to full year study. NSEP has a one-year service requirement stipulating that an award recipient must work in the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, State, or the Intelligence Community in a position using the language or regional expertise acquired during their study abroad.

The CMC deadline for these merit scholarships is at the end of the fall semester for the following academic year. The scholarship is especially appropriate for students interested in a career in foreign service or the challenges of a global society, including sustainable development, environmental concerns, global hunger or disease, population growth, economic development, etc.

Washington Program

Established in 1972, the Washington Program  is a semester-length program administered by CMC. Participants in the program work full-time as interns in the Washington, D.C. area; in addition to the internship, students enroll in two courses taught by CMC faculty, and complete a research paper under faculty supervision, for a total of four CMC course credits.

In consultation with CMC faculty and staff, students accepted to the program obtain their own internships in the semester prior to program arrival. In recent years, CMC students have interned for members of Congress, at the White House and executive branch agencies, at think tanks, in the mass media, for advocacy groups, at international organizations, and in the private sector.

Application and Qualifications

The Washington Program is open to second semester sophomores and juniors from The Claremont Colleges; priority is given to juniors. At the time of application students must have a cumulative GPA in Claremont of at least “B” (9.00), and successfully completed at least one introductory course in American government. All majors are welcome.

Costs of the Washington Program

Washington interns pay CMC tuition and the CMC student activity fee. These amounts cover the costs of the academic program, special events, field trips, a travel allowance towards the cost of the round-trip airline ticket from LAX to Washington D.C. Washington interns find and rent their own apartments in Washington, D.C. Students on financial aid continue to receive all financial aid while abroad, including state and federal aid, as well as private and merit scholarships. Students with CMC grants-in-aid will also continue to receive their grants. Instead of paying CMC room and board, students on aid may receive a portion of their financial aid to cover housing and meals while in Washington. For further information on costs of the Washington program as well as the Margaret Martin Brock Internship Award, consult Financing Off-Campus Study  and Scholarships .

Silicon Valley Program

Modeled after the long-standing, successful Washington Program, the semester-length Silicon Valley Program (SVP)  is rooted in the mission of Claremont McKenna College’s Silicon Valley Networking Trip, a one-week networking immersion trip held annually the week prior to the spring semester. This trip has introduced nearly 100 CMC students to careers in one of the most innovative regions of the world, and, more importantly, has inspired an understanding of how their liberal arts education will serve them well in future endeavors. Participants in the program work full-time as interns in the Silicon Valley area; in addition to the internship, students enroll in two courses taught by CMC faculty, and complete a research paper under faculty supervision, for a total of four CMC course credits.

Alumni and parents who lead successful careers in Silicon Valley will serve as mentors and internship sponsors at scores of Silicon Valley companies. Internships will vary depending upon the needs of the sponsoring organizations and the skills of the students. Generally speaking, internships will be secured in engineering, finance, human resources, product development, customer service, marketing, and other corporate functions. Many internships will feature significant quantitative and analytical duties. All internships must provide students with the types of experiences that would be afforded to early- career professional staff. Internship sponsors may include but are not limited to: Applied Materials, Atlassian, Box.net, Bloom Energy, BVI Networks, eBay / PayPal, Electronic Arts, Google, FibroGen, Hewlett- Packard, Intuit, YouTube, and Zynga.

Application and Qualifications

The Silicon Valley program is open to juniors from The Claremont Colleges. At the time of application students must have a cumulative GPA in Claremont of at least “B” (9.00), and successfully completed ECON 101 CM  -  Intermediate Microeconomics  or a related course. All majors are welcome.

Costs of the Silicon Valley Program

Silicon Valley interns pay CMC tuition, room, and the CMC student activity fee. These amounts cover the costs of the academic program, special events, field trips, a travel allowance towards the cost of the round-trip airline ticket from LAX to a local airport in Silicon Valley. Interns are placed in CMC housing in Silicon Valley. Students on financial aid continue to receive all financial aid while on the program, including state and federal aid, as well as private and merit scholarships. Students with CMC grants-in-aid will also continue to receive their grants. Instead of paying CMC board, students on aid may receive a portion of their financial aid to cover meals while in Silicon Valley.
 

Financial Aid and the Washington and Silicon Valley Programs

CMC students receiving financial aid will continue to receive their CMC award as well as their awarded aid from outside sources. The total financial aid award package for students on the Washington program will include a moderate increase to reflect the higher cost of living in Washington, D.C. For further information, see Financing Off-Campus Study . 

U.S. Exchange Programs

In addition to the Washington Program, CMC offers its students the opportunity to spend one semester on domestic exchange at Haverford College in Pennsylvania, or at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Robert Day Scholars Program

Overview

The Robert Day Scholars Program is designed to prepare students with a solid liberal arts education, significant leadership aptitude and strong analytical skills for leadership roles in business, finance, government, and not-for profit organizations. Building on that liberal arts background with specifically designed courses in finance, economics, accounting, and organizational psychology or leadership, the program endeavors to produce leaders with both a broad perspective and a deep understanding of financial economics. Co-curricular activities, including communication workshops, internship opportunities, networking trips to leading firms, guest speakers etc., are an integral part of the Robert Day Scholars Program. These activities are designed to provide students with an understanding of the importance of a strong ethical foundation in decision-making settings and to broaden their skills in areas such as leadership and communication.

Robert Day Scholars receive a generous financial fellowship toward tuition, access to networking opportunities, and customized support from a career services specialist.

There are two parts of the Robert Day Scholars Program—an undergraduate program, described below and a graduate program, described in the Master of Arts in Finance - Degree Requirements  section of the catalog.

The Robert Day Scholars Program

The Robert Day Scholars (RDS) Program is designed for highly motivated students with excellent academic records, significant leadership aptitude, and a clear interest in leadership roles in business, finance, government, and not-for-profit organizations. The undergraduate program provides students with a foundation in the core areas of knowledge required to be successful in the business world and in leadership positions. Students apply as sophomores to become Robert Day Scholars during their senior year.

The program is open to students from the undergraduate Claremont Colleges and all students who have taken the prerequisite courses, regardless of their major(s), are welcome to apply. The curriculum focuses on four core areas: accounting, economics, finance, and organizational psychology. The exact courses to be completed depend upon each student’s major(s) and previously completed coursework.

Robert Day Scholars receive a merit scholarship and will graduate with the Robert Day Scholar designation.

Courses for the Robert Day Scholars Program

The curricular focus of the program is on finance, along with complementary coursework in economics, accounting, and organizational psychology. Scholars also participate in a set of specially designed extra-curricular activities. Students have the option of applying to the BA program that provides an introductory experience or the BA/MA program that provides a more advanced experience and a graduate diploma.

To complete the BA curricular requirements, students must complete two semesters each of coursework in:

• Accounting – satisfied by any two core or elective courses in the Economics-Accounting Major .
• Financial Economics – satisfied by
  • taking
    FIN 301A CM - Leadership Development in Finance and Accounting
     
    FIN 301B CM - Leadership Development in Finance and Accounting
      and any two courses in the core or elective Financial Economics  sequence or,
  • FIN 300 CM - Seminar in Finance and Accounting Practices
      and any course specializing in finance (
• Leadership/organizational behavior – satisfied by any two courses in the Leadership Studies  Sequence or any other approved course in leadership/organizational behavior.

To complete the BA/MA curricular requirements students must complete:

• Requirements for graduation for CMC BA
• The requirements described in the RBS Combined BA/MA degree program

Internship Programs

Internships

CMC encourages students to participate in internships during the summer or academic year, provided their academic commitments allow for this time-consuming activity. For most summer and semester internships CMC students may apply to receive academic course credit, provided they complete the specific academic requirements for their selected internship.

Special CMC-sponsored internships, though competitive, are an ideal way to gain experience. CMC’s sponsored internship program has grown over the past few years. Sponsored internship programs include:

• The Uoroboros Fellowship, designed to support student internships or projects abroad that offer life-challenging experiences; the fellowship covers the project budget together with an additional $1,000 travel grant;
• The International Internship Program, to support students who identify and acquire internships abroad with a focus on Asia/Pacific Rim countries;
• The Community Service Internship Program, which supports CMC’s philosophy of giving back to the community by paying stipends to a limited number of students who work in a community service setting;
• The Non-Profit Internship Program whose mission is to support students pursuing unpaid internships with nonprofits or government agencies while living at home;
• The Political Education Fellowship for students to work for a political campaign (offered every other summer);
• Several research institutes, such as the Kravis Leadership Institute and the Keck Center for International and Strategic Studies also offer funding for summer internships.

Further information on these programs is available from the CSC or at the Sponsored Internship Website.

Students who participate in any internship do so with the understanding that CMC cannot make any representation regarding any acts and/or omissions regarding students’ personal safety or property while at, or traveling to, the intern site, since such matters are beyond the direct control of the College. International students must meet with the director of International Place before registering for any internship, to insure compliance with student visa regulations. For additional information about sponsored internsh, contact Jason Jeffrey in the Office of Career Services. Additional information regarding internship credit at CMC is available in The Statement of Academic Policy. 

Summer Session at Claremont McKenna College

Claremont McKenna College offers a summer session on campus of approximately six weeks. Summer courses are taught by regular CMC faculty and cover a wide range of subjects, including lab science. Each intensive course is equivalent to a full semester course (four semester units or six quarter units) offered during the regular academic year, and students may enroll in one or two courses. Courses are taught in two different formats: 3-week courses, which meet 5 days a week and 6-week courses, which meet 3 days a week.  Applications for summer admission are processed through the CMC Registrar’s Office and on-campus housing is available.

Summer courses are open to all College students in good standing. Detailed information on the summer schedule, course offerings, and course descriptions will be available in early spring on the summer session website. Applications and Information on housing, fees, and financial aid (for CMC students only) will also be posted on the website.

Military Science

Army

The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is an on-campus commissioning program open to all students interested in service as an active duty Army officer or reserve officer in the National Guard or U.S. Army Reserve. An undergraduate degree is required for commissioning.

Army ROTC challenges students to develop leadership traits critical to any career, but designed for the military environment. Classroom instruction  and leadership laboratories give students an active role in learning and reinforcing course concepts where instructors provide immediate feedback. Additional events each semester include training exercises in leadership development, orienteering, rappelling, rifle marksmanship, and small unit tactics. Students also may participate in active Army training schools during the summer. Airborne training, a three-week course at Ft. Benning, GA, teaches military parachuting techniques and awards airborne wings to participants upon completion of their fifth jump.

Students meet basic program requirements through class attendance in their freshman and sophomore years, or through attendance at Leadership Training Course, a five-week intensive summer leadership training course at Ft. Knox, KY. Students with two full years of college remaining after completion of this training course enroll directly in the advanced program.

Advanced program students attend Leadership Development and Assessment Courses (LDAC) at Ft. Lewis, WA, between their junior and senior year. This camp, the capstone event of each student’s ROTC career, offers an opportunity to demonstrate leadership skills while working alongside fellow students from across the nation.

ROTC Scholarships

Students may compete for four-year ROTC scholarships while in their junior and senior year of high school (early and regular decision cycle). The deadline for the on line application for ROTC scholarships is December 1. After December 1 and before the start of the College’s fall semester, applicants can still apply directly to the Department of Military Science and Leadership. Each year, recipients receive full tuition from the Army and a full room-and-board grant from CMC, $1,200 for books, and a tiered tax-free stipend ranging from $350 to $500 per month.

Students on campus may also compete for three-and-a-half, three-, and two-year scholarships. Like the high school scholarships, these scholarships provide full tuition, books, the tiered tax-free stipend, and full room and board.

Qualified students can enroll in Army ROTC at any point in their college careers, if they have at least two full years of full-time academic coursework remaining. Participation in the basic course (freshman/sophomore years) carries no military obligation, except for scholarship students. Students normally sign contracts in the fall of their junior year. Service obligation is four years of active duty or eight years of reserve duty. Students may apply for a guaranteed reserve forces duty, either scholarship or non-scholarship. Graduate students may also participate in ROTC as long as they remain on full-time status and have two years remaining at their graduate institutions. Education delays are available to complete advanced schooling, usually in medical, dental, or law school.

Students with prior service time, prior ROTC training, or reserve training may qualify for immediate advanced program placement. Selected students also may participate in a reserve or national guard unit while in ROTC, drawing pay from both.

All questions about Army ROTC should be directed to the Military Science and Leadership Department, Bauer Center South, room 101, (909) 621-8102.

Air Force

The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) program at the University of Southern California (USC) has an agreement with Claremont McKenna College to make the program available to CMC students with at least 2.5 years of college-level work remaining. Competitive one- to four-year scholarships valued at up to 100% of tuition and fees are available to qualified applicants. Students may also be eligible for funding to cover the cost of books and a monthly tax-free stipend of up to $500 per month. Classes are offered on the USC and Harvey Mudd College campuses and include  one hour of academic work for freshmen and sophomores and three hours of academic work for junior and seniors each week. All students also participate in two hours of leadership laboratory and undergo practical leadership training and development as Air Force officer candidates. Students who successfully complete the program will commission as officers into the United States Air Force upon graduation. Students who qualify for and are selected to enter a competitive program including Air Force pilot, navigator, air battle manager, as well as medical and nursing career fields will be given specialized training following entry into the Air Force. For further information, contact the USC Department of Aerospace Studies, (213) 740-2670.

National Scholarships and Fellowships

CMC students have been awarded some of the most prestigious scholarships and fellowships in the nation, including the Churchill, Freeman, Fulbright, Goldwater, Marshall, Mellon, National Science Foundation, Rhodes, Rotary, Soros, and Truman awards. Many programs require nomination and/or selection by the College and designated faculty members serve as program advisors to assist students with the application and, where appropriate, interview process. The majority of these programs offer funding for students after graduation but a number provide funding for undergraduates. Applications for these programs are very competitive and the process is time-consuming; interested students must start the application process well before the published program deadline dates.

General information sessions as well as program specific information sessions are held at the beginning of the fall semester and during the spring semester. Further information is available from the Center for Global Education.

Accelerated, and Joint or Dual Degree Programs

To support students interested in earning degrees from both CMC and another academic institution at the same time, or in earning advanced degrees at an accelerated rate, CMC has established relationships with a number of respected academic institutions.

Joint and Dual Degree Programs

BA/BS in Management-Engineering

Designed for strong students who want both a thorough liberal arts background, a solid grounding in economics and management, and a major in engineering, the BA/BS Management-Engineering (ME)  program allows students to attain the first two goals in three years at CMC, and the third at a school of engineering to which they have been accepted, normally in an additional two years: this is commonly called a “3/2 program.”

During their junior year at CMC, students apply to transfer to an accredited engineering school. Program participants must complete at least 24 courses, including all major requirements and all general education requirements except for senior thesis, before leaving CMC. The Bachelor of Arts degree is conferred upon confirmation by transcript of receipt of a Bachelor of Science degree, or the equivalent, in engineering. Students who are either not accepted to an engineering program or who decide not to transfer to an engineering school at the end of the third year of study may return to CMC for a 4^th year of study to complete the Bachelor of Arts degree in another major. There is no 4/2 equivalent for this 3/2 program. Students interested in combining a program with HMC may select the dual degree program in Economics and Engineering.

BA/BS in Economics and Engineering

Students interested in receiving a bachelor of arts degree with a major in economics from CMC and bachelor’s degree with a major in engineering from a second academic institution have two options under the Economics-Engineering (E&E)  program. The programs are an extension of the successful Management-Engineering (ME) program, but have more requirements and students complete full majors in economics and engineering. The first option (Option I) is a dual degree program of Claremont McKenna College (CMC) and Harvey Mudd College (HMC). The second option (Option II) is a dual degree program of Claremont McKenna College and other certified engineering programs. Like the ME program, both 3/2 options of the Economics and Engineering program are designed for students interested in a liberal arts education, together with a demanding curriculum in both economics and engineering. Students who plan to major in Economics and Engineering are expected to complete five (or more) courses per semester. New students may enroll in five courses during their first semester. Professor Higdon is the program advisor.

• Option I: Claremont McKenna College and Harvey Mudd College
  Students in this 5-year program spend three years at CMC and two years at HMC. In addition, students complete all general education requirements of both HMC and CMC, except for the senior thesis at CMC. Upon completion of the program, students receive a bachelor of arts degree with a major in economics and engineering from CMC, and a bachelor of science degree with a major in engineering from HMC.
  
  Under a joint admissions agreement, CMC students with a grade point average of 9.50 or higher, who have completed all required courses for the program during their years at CMC and meet HMC’s other grade requirements, are guaranteed admission to HMC. Deadline for application is February 1 of the junior year.
   
• Option II: Claremont McKenna College and Certified Engineering Schools
  This option allows CMC students to complete a full major in economics at CMC and then transfer to an engineering institution of their choice and earn a degree in engineering. Upon completion of the engineering program, students will earn a bachelor of arts degree with a major in economics and engineering from CMC and a bachelor’s degree with a major in engineering from the engineering institution.
  
  During the three years at CMC, students must complete all general education requirements, except for the senior thesis, and all CMC requirements for the economics major. At the end of the junior year, students transfer to an engineering school of their choice where they complete that institution’s requirements for graduation with a major in engineering. Upon receipt of the degree from the engineering institution, CMC students received their bachelor of arts degree from CMC with a major in Economics and Engineering. Students who are either not accepted to an engineering program or who decide not to transfer to an engineering school at the end of the third year of study may return to CMC for a 4th year of study to complete the Bachelor of Arts degree in another major. There is no 4/2 equivalent for this 3/2 program.

JD from Columbia University

Claremont McKenna College participates in the Accelerated Interdisciplinary Legal Education (AILE) program at Columbia University. Through this program, CMC may nominate two juniors each year to apply to and enroll at Columbia School of Law after three years of study at CMC. Successful applicants obtain a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from CMC and a law degree from Columbia in six years.

Program participants must complete at least 24 courses, including all major and general education requirements except for senior thesis, before leaving CMC. At Columbia, program participants take additional graduate credits in the liberal arts to compensate for the senior year at CMC. Students receive the BA from CMC upon confirmation by transcript that they have successfully completed their first year of law school at Columbia and have earned the equivalent of a total of at least 32 CMC courses.

This is a very competitive program and applicants are required to have both very strong academic records and demonstrated service and leadership experiences. Applicants must be nominated by CMC and apply to the Law School in the Spring of the junior year. Application must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) no later than February of their junior year. For further information, contact the Dean of the Faculty’s Office.

Early Graduate School Entrance

Students with unusually strong records may be accepted by graduate schools at the end of their junior year (with completion of at least 24 courses). Once they complete at least two years of graduate work and earn advanced degrees, they may petition for a Bachelor of Arts degree from CMC. Students must complete all of CMC’s general education and major requirements except for senior thesis, before leaving the College. For information, contact the registrar.

Accelerated Degree Programs

Robert Day School BA/MA Combined Degree Program

The Robert Day School offers a combined BA/MA program which allows students to complete both degrees within four years. The BA/MA program requires 36 units of coursework. Students complete all 9 MA courses and meet all other MA requirements. Up to four MA courses may apply toward the CMC undergraduate major in Economics. Students who complete the BA/MA program may not have the Financial Economics Sequence recorded on their transcripts, since the MA portion of the combined degree subsumes that credential.

Who is eligible for the combined BA/MA Program?

Students admitted to CMC as first-time freshmen may apply to the BA/MA program in the fall of their third semester in college. Students who transfer to CMC may apply to the BA/MA program if they have transferred in 10 or fewer units of credit toward the degree from their previous institution(s) and if they will complete at least 6 regular semesters in residence at CMC during the standard academic year (including approved off-campus study programs) to finish the undergraduate degree. Students who transfer to CMC with more than 10 units of credit and who need 5 or fewer regular academic year semesters to complete the undergraduate degree may be considered for admission to the MA program through the existing graduate admission process, but are not eligible for the BA/MA program.

It is possible for students pursuing a variety of undergraduate majors to also pursue the BA/MA in finance option. In addition to the undergraduate major in Economics Major  or Economics-Accounting Major , students may also be able to complete a dual major in another discipline. Students in other combined degree programs (such as the Management-Engineering Major  or the Economics-Engineering Major ) are not eligible for the combined BA/MA program. Such students who wish to pursue the graduate curriculum at CMC could be admitted to the existing MA program at the conclusion of their undergraduate program.

How long does the program take?

Depending on a student’s situation, he/she might earn both the BA and MA degrees within four years or might spread their work over five years.  Significant advanced planning is needed to complete the program in four years, because it normally requires that students amass four extra undergraduate units before the start of the senior year. There are also financial aid implications for students who take five years to complete the program.

How many courses must a student complete in total?

BA/MA students must complete 36 units in order to satisfy their combined degree requirements. At least 20 of those course units must be satisfied in residence at CMC with regular full-credit academic courses, 4 more in-residence courses than is required for the 32-unit BA degree. Student are required to complete

• Applying up to 2.0 units for participating in programming for summer internships, along with 
  FIN 300 CM - Seminar in Finance and Accounting Practices
   
  FIN 301A CM - Leadership Development in Finance and Accounting
    and
  FIN 301B CM - Leadership Development in Finance and Accounting
   .
• Applying up to 4 units of undergraduate credit from eligible work by examination (AP, IB, etc.) or transfer credit.
• Overloading with five undergraduate courses during regular semesters at the College (see The Statement of Academic Policy  for details about Course Load)
• Earning up to 4 units of credit during the CMC summer session.

When can students begin taking MA courses?

Students admitted to the BA/MA program may begin taking MA courses as soon as they have satisfied the appropriate prerequisites including: ECON 050 CM - Principles of Economic Analysis , ECON 101 CM - Intermediate Microeconomics , ECON 102 CM - Intermediate Macroeconomics , ECON 120 CM - Statistics ,

Are there any other requirements for graduation?

All BA/MA students must complete an internship in finance during the summer between their 3^rd and 4^th years, which has been approved by the Robert Day School. The summer internship may include an academic component. The internship credit may count toward one of the 36 course units  required in the combined degree program, but it may not count toward the 20 course unit residency requirement.

What if a student already completed a summer internship for credit previously?

Students must complete an approved internship during the summer between their 3^rd and 4^th years but it need not be taken for full credit.  For students seeking academic credit for an internship, the maximum number of credits is 1.0 during a students time at CMC.

Are there any other GPA requirements for graduation?

The grade point requirements are those that apply for each degree separately. In particular, in the semester courses that count toward the MA, students must obtain a GPA of at least 8.00 (B-) and no failing grades (F). In the 32 units that count toward the BA, students must satisfy the standard CMC requirements. Students cannot be awarded the MA unless they also meet all of the requirements of the BA.

In addition, admission and remaining in good standing in the BA/MA program normally requires that the student has achieved at least a B average in each of the prereqs taken so far and in each of the BA courses that count toward replacing an MA course (this includes Econ 50, 101, 102, 120, 125, 134 along with other accounting and finance courses such as Econ 86 and 150). Earning more than two grades below B- in these courses, failing any of these courses, or achieving less than a B average will normally be sufficient grounds for removal from the BA/MA program. Failing to make adequate progress towards completing the prerequisites in a timely manner may also be sufficient grounds for removal from the BA/MA program.

How is an advanced undergraduate course modified to fit the requirements of a graduate course?

Before preparing their Plan for a Combined BA/MA Program, students interested in counting one or more undergraduate courses toward the MA degree should contact the Director of Graduate Programs or the Dean of the Robert Day School to request a list of approved courses. In general, any course in the CMC catalog sub-fields of monetary, fiscal, and financial economics or economics and legal organizations courses, may be presented towards the master’s degree, provided that the student satisfies graduate-level performance and work requirements for the course.

Students must submit any undergraduate courses they hope to apply toward the MA as part of their Plan for a Combined BA/MA Program. CMC will grant Masters-level credit for the course only when the Dean of the Robert Day School certifies that the requirements and student performance meet graduate-level expectations.

How and when do I apply to the program?

A student enrolled in at least their third semester, who has completed significant work in their major subject may apply. The application must be approved by the Robert Day School before the student begins any graduate work. Under exceptional circumstances, students may apply as late as the spring of their junior year. A GMAT or GRE score is not necessary.

To apply, the student completes a Plan for a Combined BA/MA Program. After the student gains the approval and signature of the graduate program director, he/she submits the proposed plan to the Dean of the Robert Day School.  The Dean must approve the plan at which point the student may be admitted into the MA program. 

If I’m accepted to the program, how would I register every semester?

You will register for both undergraduate and graduate courses through the CMC Student Portal system.

What grades will show on my transcript?

Your transcript would reflect both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. You would receive letter grades for every course that you use towards your undergraduate degree, including those that also count towards the graduate degree. The sole exceptions are the courses INT199, FIN300, FIN301A, and FIN 301B, which are graded on a credit/no-credit basis. 

MA Program in Economics

CMC students interested in graduate economics training for business, government, or non-profit enterprise are encouraged to consider the accelerated BA/MA program in economics at Claremont Graduate University (CGU). Participants in this program enroll, with the permission of the program advisor and the CGU instructor, in graduate courses as part of their undergraduate education. Program participants may count four CGU graduate economics courses completed while at CMC towards both the CMC Bachelor of Arts degree and the CGU Master of Arts degree. After receiving the CMC degree, students enroll at CGU for two additional semesters, and complete another eight graduate courses for the MA degree.

Interested students should meet with their CMC advisor and CGU economics faculty member during their junior year to map out a program of study and prepare their application to CGU. Applications and degree requirements information are available from the Claremont Graduate University.

MBA – Robert A. Day 4+1 BA/MBA Program

The Robert A. Day 4+1 BA/MBA Program provides an opportunity for CMC students to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from CMC and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the Peter F. Drucker and Masatoshi Ito Graduate School of Management at Claremont Graduate University (CGU) in just five years. The program is an unique alternative to the traditional route to an MBA. Rather than interrupting their careers to pursue an MBA degree, Day 4+1 students begin taking MBA courses during the senior year at CMC. Students then graduate from CMC with their undergraduate classmates before completing the MBA in a fifth year of full-time study at CGU.

In addition to the coursework, Day 4+1 students participate in two intensive summer internships, one after the junior year at CMC and the second in the summer between graduating from CMC and the fifth year of the program. The summer internships are concentrated periods of work experience where students develop professionally while gaining sensitivity to issues involved in the practice of management.

CMC students interested in the program should meet with the Director of Graduate Programs of the Robert Day School of Economics and Finance no later than the beginning of their junior year in order to plan their programs of study and sequencing of coursework. Students apply for admission to the 4+1 program by the end of January of the junior year. College transcripts and GMAT scores must be submitted along with the application at this time.

MA Program in Political Science

Government majors in good standing and interested in pursuing a Master’s degree at Claremont Graduate University may begin work on a Master’s degree in political science at the Center for Politics and Economics at The Claremont Graduate University (CGU) during their senior year at CMC. In their last year at CMC, program participants select classes that will count toward both the Bachelor of Arts degree (with a major in government) at CMC and one of the following Master’s programs at CGU: public policy (MAP), international studies (MAGIS), and politics (MAP).

Students must seek formal admission to the program at CGU late in their junior year or early in their senior year. Up to three graduate-level courses may be completed in the senior year, preferably two core courses in the chosen field and a relevant elective, and applied toward the graduate degree. In addition, CGU may accept some CMC government courses toward the master’s degree.

Students receive a BA from CMC at the end of senior year and a master’s degree from CGU upon completion of 36 graduate units and the Master’s research paper, as required for the master’s degree.

MA Program in Psychology

CMC and Claremont Graduate University (CGU) offer qualified students the opportunity to obtain an accelerated MA degree in psychology from CGU one year after receiving the Bachelor of Arts from CMC. For further information, see Psychology .