Willamette University
School Description
Provided by Willamette UniversityWillamette University is an independent, nonsectarian institution of higher learning founded in 1842, educating men & women in the liberal arts & selected professional fields. The University’s mission extends far from the Oregon Territory & Pacific Northwest to encompass the larger world beyond.
Willamette University is a top-ranked private liberal arts university located directly across the street from Oregon's Capitol. Home to 1,800 undergraduates and 760 graduate students in law, business and teaching, Willamette University's campus, centered on the Mill Race and festooned with ancient trees and ample green spaces, strongly reflects the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
Described by students in the 2008 Princeton Review of the nation’s best colleges as “academically rigorous,” "intimate" and “seriously gorgeous," Willamette's College of Liberal Arts is defined by its commitment to excellence in scholarship, teaching innovation, and to the success of our graduates, who go on to prestigious graduate and professional schools, and pursue meaningful careers in the public and private sectors.
Willamette’s reputation as a top-tier liberal arts college attracts a wide variety of applicants from all over the nation and the globe. Approximately 4,200 students applied for admission to the class of 2012; 542 have enrolled. The number of Willamette students who apply for admission to Willamette's College of Liberal Arts has increased by more than 80 percent since 2002.
Do you like to sing, dance or play a musical instrument? Are you interested in learning about foreign cultures? Do you enjoy athletic competition, the great outdoors, debating policy initiatives or doing community service work? Whatever your interests, Willamette has a wide assortment of programs, organizations and opportunities available to help you make the most of your college experience.
Willamette University
From Wikipedia, The Free EncyclopediaWillamette University is an American private institution of higher learning located in Salem, Oregon. Founded in 1842, it is the oldest university in the Western United States. Willamette is a member of the Annapolis Group of colleges, with an undergraduate college and three graduate schools. In athletics, the university is a member of the NCAA's Division III Northwest Conference, with the bearcat as the school mascot and old gold and cardinal as the school colors. There are approximately 2,500 students enrolled combined between the graduate and undergraduate programs. The school employs over 200 full-time professors at the campus that is situated across the street from the Oregon State Capitol.
Originally named the Oregon Institute, the school was an unaffiliated outgrowth of the Methodist Mission. The name was changed to Wallamet University in 1852, followed by the current spelling in 1870. Willamette founded the first medical school and law school in the Pacific Northwest during the later half of the 19th century. During the 20th century the school started a sister school relationship with Tokyo International University and began competing in college athletics.
Willamette’s College of Liberal Arts is the undergraduate school on campus. The school was rated 63rd among American liberal arts colleges by US News and World Report for 2008. The oldest of the graduate programs is the College of Law, founded in 1883 and located in the Truman Wesley Collins Legal Center. Established in 1974, Atkinson Graduate School of Management is housed in the Seeley G. Mudd Building. The School of Education, established in 1996, has an enrollment of 250 students.
History
The university was founded as the Oregon Institute in the days of the Oregon Country by the missionary Jason Lee, who had arrived in the territory in 1834 and had founded the Indian Manual Labor Institute for the education of the local Native Americans. Lee requested additional support for his mission, and received 53 additional volunteers in 1839, who arrived on the ship Lausanne. After a series of meetings in Lee's home, the by-laws were adopted and board of trustees elected and the institute was officially established on February 1, 1842. Lee served as the first President of the Board of Trustees, followed by David Leslie after Lee’s death in 1845. Leslie would serve until his death in 1869. The original purpose of the institute was the education of the missionaries' children.
Quick Facts
- Location:
- Northwest
- Setting:
- Mid-size City Setting
- Type:
- Private
- Size:
- Small (Under 2,000 Undergrad)
- Mascot:
- Bearcats
Students & Campus Life
- Undergraduate Enrollment:
- 1,943
- On Campus Housing:
- Available
- Full Time Students:
- 100%
- Athletic Programs:
- Available
Degree Programs at Willamette University
Bachelor's Level Programs
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Agriculture and Natural Resources
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Natural Resources and Conservation
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Natural Resources and Conservation
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Environmental Science
A program that focuses on the application of biological, chemical, and physical principles to the study of the physical environment and the solution of environmental problems, including subjects such as abating or controlling environmental pollution and degradation; the interaction between human society and the natural environment; and natural resources management. Includes instruction in biology, chemistry, physics, geosciences, climatology, statistics, and mathematical modeling.See more schools with programs in Environmental Science
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Environmental Science
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Natural Resources and Conservation
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Natural Resources and Conservation
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Arts & Humanities
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English Language and Literature
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English Language and Literature
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English Language and Literature
A general program that focuses on the English language, including its history, structure and related communications skills; and the literature and culture of English-speaking peoples.See more schools with programs in English Language and Literature
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Speech and Rhetorical Studies
A program that focuses on human interpersonal communication from the scientific/behavioral and humanistic perspectives. Includes instruction in the theory and physiology of speech, the history of discourse, the structure and analysis of argument and types of public speech, the social role of speech, oral interpretation of literature, interpersonal interactions, and the relation of speech to nonverbal and other forms of message exchanges.See more schools with programs in Speech and Rhetorical Studies
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English Language and Literature
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Film and Theater
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Film and Theater
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Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts
A program that focuses on the general study of dramatic works and their performance. Includes instruction in major works of dramatic literature, dramatic styles and types, and the principles of organizing and producing full live or filmed productions.See more schools with programs in Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts
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Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts
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Foreign Languages
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Foreign Languages
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Classics and Languages, Literatures and Linguistics
This general program focuses on the literary culture of the ancient Graeco-Roman world and the Greek and Latin languages and literatures and their development prior to the fall of the Roman Empire.See more schools with programs in Classics and Languages, Literatures and Linguistics
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Comparative Literature
A program that focuses on two or more literary traditions in the original languages or in translation. Includes instruction in comparative linguistics; applicable foreign languages; English/French language and literature; literary criticism; and applications to genre, period, national, and textual studies as well as literary forms such as poetry, prose, and drama.See more schools with programs in Comparative Literature
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French Language and Literature
A program that focuses on the French language and related dialects and creoles. Includes instruction in French philology, Metropolitan French, Canadian French, African and Caribbean Creoles, French regional dialects, and applications in business, science/technology, and other settings.See more schools with programs in French Language and Literature
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German Language and Literature
A program that focuses on the German language and related dialects as used in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, neighboring European countries containing German-speaking minorities, and elsewhere. Includes instruction in German philology; Old, Middle, and High German; Plattdeutsch and other regional dialects; and applications to business, science/technology, and other settings.See more schools with programs in German Language and Literature
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Russian Language and Literature
A program that focuses on the Russian language. Includes instruction in Russian philology, Old Russian, Modern Russian and dialects, literature, and applications to business, science/technology, and other settings.See more schools with programs in Russian Language and Literature
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Spanish Language and Literature
A program that focuses on the Spanish language and related dialects. Includes instruction in Spanish philology, Modern Castillan, various Latin American dialects, regional Spanish dialects, and applications in business, science/technology, and other settings.See more schools with programs in Spanish Language and Literature
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Classics and Languages, Literatures and Linguistics
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General Studies
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General Studies
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Humanities/Humanistic Studies
A program that focuses on combined studies and research in the humanities subjects as distinguished from the social and physical sciences, emphasizing languages, literatures, art, music, philosophy and religion.See more schools with programs in Humanities/Humanistic Studies
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Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
A program that is a structured combination of the arts, biological and physical sciences, social sciences, and humanities, emphasizing breadth of study. Includes instruction in independently designed, individualized, or regular programs.See more schools with programs in Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
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Humanities/Humanistic Studies
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History
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History
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History
A program that focuses on the general study and interpretation of the past, including the gathering, recording, synthesizing and criticizing of evidence and theories about past events. Includes instruction in historiography; historical research methods; studies of specific periods, issues and cultures; and applications to areas such as historic preservation, public policy, and records administration.See more schools with programs in History
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History
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Music
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Music
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General Music
A general program that focuses on the introductory study and appreciation of music and the performing arts. Includes instruction in music, dance, and other performing arts media.See more schools with programs in General Music
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Music Pedagogy
A program that prepares individuals to provide musical instruction and tutoring to clients in private and institutional settings. Includes instruction in music theory, music composition, mastery of one or more instruments, familiarity with various musical genres and styles, principles of music education, and client communications.See more schools with programs in Music Pedagogy
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Music Theory and Composition
A program that focuses on the study of the principles of sound manipulation as applied to the creation of music, and the techniques of creating and arranging music. Includes instruction in aural theory, melody, counterpoint, complex harmony, modulation, chromatics, improvisation, progressions, musical writing, instrumentation, orchestration, electronic and computer applications, studies of specific musical styles, and development of original creative ability.See more schools with programs in Music Theory and Composition
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Piano and Organ
A program that prepares individuals to master the piano, organ, or related keyboard instruments and performing art as solo, ensemble, and/or accompanist performers. Includes instruction in piano and keyboard pedagogy, ensemble playing, accompanying, service playing, repertoire, keyboard and pedal skills, recital, and personal style development.See more schools with programs in Piano and Organ
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Voice and Opera
A program that prepares individuals to master the human voice and performing art as solo and/or ensemble performers in concert, choir, opera, or other forms of singing. Includes instruction in voice pedagogy, diction, vocal physiology and exercise, expressive movement, repertoire, recital, and personal style development.See more schools with programs in Voice and Opera
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General Music
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Philosophy
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Philosophy
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General Philosophy
A program that focuses on ideas and their logical structure, including arguments and investigations about abstract and real phenomena. Includes instruction in logic, ethics, aesthetics, epistemology, metaphysics, symbolism, and history of philosophy, and applications to the theoretical foundations and methods of other disciplines.See more schools with programs in General Philosophy
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General Philosophy
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Religion/Religious Studies
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Religion/Religious Studies
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General Religion/Religious Studies
A program that focuses on the nature of religious belief and specific religious and quasi-religious systems. Includes instruction in phenomenology; the sociology, psychology, philosophy, anthropology, literature and art of religion; mythology; scriptural and textual studies; religious history and politics; and specific studies of particular faith communities and their behavior.See more schools with programs in General Religion/Religious Studies
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General Religion/Religious Studies
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Visual Arts
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Visual Arts
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Art History, Criticism and Conservation
Students of Art History study of the historical development of art as a social and intellectual phenomenon. Art History programs include the analysis of works of art, and art conservation, art history research methods, connoisseurship, the preservation and conservation of works of art, and the study of specific periods, cultures, styles, and themes.See more schools with programs in Art History, Criticism and Conservation
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Fine/Studio Arts
A program that prepares individuals to generally function as creative artists in the visual and plastic media. Includes instruction in the traditional fine arts media (drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, CAD/CAM) and/or modern media (ceramics, textiles, intermedia, photography, digital images); theory of art; color theory; composition and perspective; anatomy; the techniques and procedures for maintaining equipment and managing a studio; and art portfolio marketing.See more schools with programs in Fine/Studio Arts
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Art History, Criticism and Conservation
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English Language and Literature
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English Language and Literature
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Fitness, Recreation and Leisure Studies
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Physical Fitness
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Physical Fitness
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Kinesiology and Exercise Science
A scientific program that focuses on the anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and biophysics of human movement, and applications to exercise and therapeutic rehabilitation. Includes instruction in biomechanics, motor behavior, motor development and coordination, motor neurophysiology, performance research, rehabilitative therapies, the development of diagnostic and rehabilitative methods and equipment, and related analytical methods and procedures in applied exercise and therapeutic rehabilitation .See more schools with programs in Kinesiology and Exercise Science
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Kinesiology and Exercise Science
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Physical Fitness
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Physical Fitness
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Health & Medical Services
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Rehabilitation & Therapy
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Rehabilitation & Therapy
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Music Therapy/Therapist
A program that prepares individuals, in association with a rehabilitation team or in private practice, to use music in therapeutic relationships to address patients' physical, psychological, cognitive, emotional, and social needs. Includes instruction in music theory and performance, human growth and development, biomedical sciences, abnormal psychology, disabling conditions, patient assessment and diagnosis, treatment plan development and implementation, clinical evaluation, record-keeping, and professional standards and ethics.See more schools with programs in Music Therapy/Therapist
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Music Therapy/Therapist
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Rehabilitation & Therapy
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Rehabilitation & Therapy
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Interdisciplinary Studies
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International/Global Studies
A program that focuses on global and international issues from the perspective of the social sciences, social services, and related fields.See more schools with programs in International/Global Studies
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International/Global Studies
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Life Science
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Biology
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Biology
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Biology/Biological Sciences
Students in this program study general biology at an introductory level. This major provides students with a broad overview of biology and includes instruction in general biology and programs covering a variety of biological specializations.See more schools with programs in Biology/Biological Sciences
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Biology/Biological Sciences
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Biology
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Biology
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Mathematics and Statistics
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General Mathematics
A general program that focuses on the analysis of quantities, magnitudes, forms, and their relationships, using symbolic logic and language. Includes instruction in algebra, calculus, functional analysis, geometry, number theory, logic, topology and other mathematical specializations.See more schools with programs in General Mathematics
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General Mathematics
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Natural Sciences
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Chemistry
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Chemistry
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General Chemistry
A general program that focuses on the scientific study of the composition and behavior of matter, including its micro- and macro-structure, the processes of chemical change, and the theoretical description and laboratory simulation of these phenomena.See more schools with programs in General Chemistry
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General Chemistry
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Physics
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Physics
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General Physics
A general program that focuses on the scientific study of matter and energy, and the formulation and testing of the laws governing the behavior of the matter-energy continuum. Includes instruction in classical and modern physics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, mechanics, wave properties, nuclear processes, relativity and quantum theory, quantitative methods, and laboratory methods.See more schools with programs in General Physics
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General Physics
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Chemistry
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Chemistry
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Social Sciences
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Anthropology
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Anthropology
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General Anthropology
A program that focuses on the systematic study of human beings, their antecedents and related primates, and their cultural behavior and institutions, in comparative perspective. Includes instruction in biological/physical anthropology, primatology, human paleontology and prehistoric archeology, hominid evolution, anthropological linguistics, ethnography, ethnology, ethnohistory, socio-cultural anthropology, psychological anthropology, research methods, and applications to areas such as medicine, forensic pathology, museum studies, and international affairs.See more schools with programs in General Anthropology
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General Anthropology
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Area, Ethnic, Cultural, and Gender Studies
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Area, Ethnic, Cultural, and Gender Studies
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American/United States Studies/Civilization
This program studies the history, society, politics, culture, and economics of the United States and its Pre-Columbian and colonial predecessors, including the flow of immigrants from other societies.See more schools with programs in American/United States Studies/Civilization
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Asian Studies/Civilization
This four year program focuses on the history, society, politics, culture, and economics of the peoples of the Asian Continent. Asian Studies programs include the study of Asian diasporas overseas.See more schools with programs in Asian Studies/Civilization
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Japanese Studies
A program that focuses on the history, society, politics, culture, and economics of the peoples of Japan, and related island groups and coastal neighbors.See more schools with programs in Japanese Studies
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Latin American Studies
A program that focuses on the history, society, politics, culture, and economics of one or more of the Hispanic peoples of the North and South American Continents outside Canada and the United States, including the study of the Pre-Columbian period and the flow of immigrants from other societies.See more schools with programs in Latin American Studies
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Other Ethnic, Cultural Minority, and Gender Studies
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American/United States Studies/Civilization
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Economics
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Economics
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General Economics
A general program that focuses on the systematic study of the production, conservation and allocation of resources in conditions of scarcity, together with the organizational frameworks related to these processes. Includes instruction in economic theory, micro- and macroeconomics, comparative economic systems, money and banking systems, international economics, quantitative analytical methods, and applications to specific industries and public policy issues.See more schools with programs in General Economics
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General Economics
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International Relations and Affairs
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International Relations and Affairs
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General Political Science and Government
A general program that focuses on the systematic study of political institutions and behavior. Includes instruction in political philosophy, political theory, comparative government and politics, political parties and interest groups, public opinion, political research methods, studies of the government and politics of specific countries, and studies 0f specific political institutions and processes.See more schools with programs in General Political Science and Government
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General Political Science and Government
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Psychology
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Psychology
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General Psychology
A general program that focuses on the scientific study of individual and collective behavior, the physical and environmental bases of behavior, and the analysis and treatment of behavior problems and disorders. Includes instruction in the principles of the various subfields of psychology, research methods, and psychological assessment and testing methods.See more schools with programs in General Psychology
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General Psychology
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Sociology
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Sociology
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Sociology
A program that focuses on the systematic study of human social institutions and social relationships. Includes instruction in social theory, sociological research methods, social organization and structure, social stratification and hierarchies, dynamics of social change, family structures, social deviance and control, and applications to the study of specific social groups, social institutions, and social problems.See more schools with programs in Sociology
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Sociology
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Anthropology
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Anthropology
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Technology
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Information Systems Operation and Management
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Information Systems Operation and Management
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General Computer Science
A general program that focuses on computers, computing problems and solutions, and the design of computer systems and user interfaces from a scientific perspective. Includes instruction in the principles of computational science, and computing theory; computer hardware design; computer development and programming; and applications to a variety of end-use situations.See more schools with programs in General Computer Science
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General Computer Science
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Information Systems Operation and Management
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Information Systems Operation and Management
Master's Level Programs
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Business
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General Business
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General Business
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Business Administration and Management
Generally, this program prepares individuals to plan, organize, direct, and control a firm or organization. To aid them in taking a leading role in business, individuals in this program study management theory, human resources management and behavior, accounting and other quantitative methods, purchasing and logistics, organization and production, marketing, and business decision-making.See more schools with programs in Business Administration and Management
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Business Administration and Management
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General Business
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General Business
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Education
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General Education
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General Education
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General Education
A program that focuses on the general theory and practice of learning and teaching; the basic principles of educational psychology; the art of teaching; the planning and administration of educational activities; school safety and health issues; and the social foundations of education.See more schools with programs in General Education
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General Education
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General Education
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General Education
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Legal Professions
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International Law and Legal Studies (LL.M., J.S.D./S.J.D.)
An advanced, professional study of the law affecting relations between nations, the behavior of international organizations, and the international activities of private citizens and organizations.See more schools with programs in International Law and Legal Studies (LL.M., J.S.D./S.J.D.)
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International Law and Legal Studies (LL.M., J.S.D./S.J.D.)
Students
General
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Full-Time vs. Part-Time
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Men vs. Women
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Race/Ethnicity
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Geography
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In State vs. Out-of-State
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Top States for Incoming Freshman
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| Percent of Students International: | 4% |
Housing
| On-Campus Housing Available: | Yes |
| Percent of Students Living On-Campus: | 55% |
| Freshman Students Required to Live on Campus: | Yes |
Athletics
| Member of: | NAA, NCAA |
| Sports Include: |
Football (Northwest Conference) Basketball (Northwest Conference) Baseball (Northwest Conference) Track (Northwest Conference) |
| Tuition & Fees (undergraduate) | Expenses | ||
Published Tuition and Fees: |
$ 28,416 | ||
Average Tuition for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 28,250 | ||
Required Fees for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 166 | ||
| Financial Aid | Avg. Amount Received | % of Students Receiving Aid | |
Federal Grants: |
$ 5,897 | 15% | |
State and Local Grants: |
$ 3,626 | 4% | |
Institutional Grants: |
$ 14,061 | 88% | |
Student Loans: |
$ 5,238 | 54% | |
Any Aid: |
91% |
Selectivity (Undergraduate Only)
| Acceptance Rate: | 75% (Selective) |
| Test Scores | |
| SAT Scores: | |
| % of Students Submitting SAT Scores: | 93% |
| Bottom 25th Percentile: | Verbal: 570, Math: 560 |
| Top 75th Percentile: | Verbal: 670, Math: 650 |
| ACT Scores: | |
| % of Students Submitting ACT Scores: | 38% |
| Bottom 25th Percentile: | Composite: 25, Verbal: 24, Math: 24 |
| Top 75th Percentile: | Composite: 29, Verbal: 30, Math: 28 |
Application Requirements (Undergraduate Only)
| Application Fee: | $ 50.00 |
| Formal Demonstration of Competencies: | Not Required |
| High School Diploma or Equivalent: | Required |
| High School GPA: | Required |
| High School Rank: | Recommended |
| High School Record: | Required |
| Recommendations: | Required |
| TOEFL: | Recommended |
| Test Scores: | Required |
College Advice |
Question: liberal arts v. university?I'm a senior in highschool and i still don't know where to go to college--I cant decide between the University of Washington and a small liberal arts school Willamette University. Money is not an issue and I plan on going to UW medical school either way. has anyone been to either school and can give me some advice? University of Washington is awefully big, and I may be leaning towards Willamette.....but my boyfriend of 5 months (but also my best friend for 3 years) will be attending University of WA....33 months ago
Best AnswerHave you visited? My son has been accepted to both, as well as some other schools. Willamette has an admitted students day tomorrow, the 20th. You can spend a night in the dorm afterward as well. My son has found it very helpful to sit in on a class or two at the colleges he's most interested in, and spend a night in the dorm. It really helps to get the feeling of what the students are like. I say visit and go with your gut about what is best for you. The boyfriend might or might not last if you are at different colleges, but you could always visit occasionally, it's about a four hour drive between Seattle and Salem. |
