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Bridgewater College

Bridgewater, VA

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Bridgewater College, founded in 1880, is a private liberal arts college affiliated with the Church of the Brethren. Its 300-acre campus is located in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, nearby to Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Washington, DC, and Richmond.

School Profiles: Undergrad Education
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Undergrad Profile


“The unsung heroes in BC academic life are the professors. They care about all of their students and want to see them succeed.” 

 — Michelle Alty, Class of 2018, Physics

AT A GLANCE

About: Private liberal arts college founded in 1880

Location: Bridgewater, Virginia; one hour northwest of Charlottesville, Virginia

Student body: 1,800 full-time students from 29 states and 20 countries 

Athletics: NCAA Division III

Residential: 81% of Bridgewater students live on campus.

Coeducational: Bridgewater admitted women from the time of its founding and was the first private liberal arts college in Virginia to do so. 

Financial aid and scholarships: In 2018–2019, the College awarded more than $44 million in academic scholarships and need-based grants. More than 99% of Bridgewater students receive some form of financial assistance.

Athletics
Bridgewater College is a highly competitive member of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) in NCAA Division III. 

Women’s Sports
Basketball
Cross-country
Equestrian
Field hockey
Golf
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Track & field (indoor and outdoor)
Volleyball

Men’s Sports
Baseball
Basketball
Cross-country
Equestrian
Football
Golf
Lacrosse
Soccer
Swimming
Tennis
Track & field (indoor and outdoor) 

Cheerleading and dance teams are offered for both men and women. 

Majors
Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science
• Applied Chemistry
• Applied Physics
- Engineering Physics
- Physical Science
- Physics and Technology
• Art
• Biochemistry
• Biology
- Ecology
- General Biology
- Pre-health Sciences
• Business Administration
• Chemistry
• Communication, Technology, and Culture
• Computer Science
• Data Science and Analytics*
• Digital Media Arts
• Economics

• English
• Environmental Science
• Family and Consumer Sciences
- Family and Consumer Sciences Education
- Human Development and Family Studies
• French
• Global Studies
• Health and Exercise Science
• Health and Physical Education
• History
• History and Political Science
- Liberal Arts
- Social Studies Government
- Social Studies History 
• Liberal Studies (PreK–6)
• Mathematics
• Music
- Music Pedagogy
- Music Performance—Instrumental
- Music Performance—Vocal
• Nutritional Science
• Philosophy and Religion
• Physics
• Political Science
- Pre-law
- Public Policy
- Standard 
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Spanish
• Theatre 

Minors
• American Studies
• Applied Chemistry
• Art
• Biology
• Business Administration
• Coaching
• Communication Studies
• Computer Science
• Crime and Justice
• Economics
• English
• Equine Studies
• French
• German
• Global Studies
• History
• Identity Studies
• Leadership
• Mathematics
• Music
• Neuroscience
• Peace Studies
• Philosophy and Religion
• Physical Chemistry
• Physics
• Political Science
• Professional Writing
• Psychology
• Social Work
• Spanish
• Theatre

Emphases
• Accounting
• Church Music
• Environmental Chemistry 
• Finance
• Financial Economics
• Freshwater Resources
• International Commerce
• Marketing
• Organization Management
• Wildlife Biology 

Concentrations
• Administration Management
• American Civil War
• Child Development
• Digital Media
• Environmental Science
• Family Life Education
• French Cultural Studies
• Gender Studies
• German Studies
• Gerontology
• Hispanic Cultural Studies
• Iberian Studies
• Interfaith Studies
• Latin American Studies
• Multimedia Authoring
• Nutritional Science
• Politics and Public Policy
• Pre-law
• Public History
• Race and Ethnic Studies
• Social Sciences for Health Professionals
• Web Design and Development
• World Languages: Spanish or French

Pre-professional Programs
• Dentistry
• Engineering
• Law
• Medicine
• Ministry
• Occupational Therapy
• Pharmacy
• Physical Therapy
• Physician Assistant
• Veterinary Medicine 

Teacher Licensure
• Elementary (PreK–6)
• Secondary (6–12)

Teacher Licensure (PreK–12)
• Health and Physical Education
• Music, Vocal and Instrumental
• Theatre Arts
• Visual Arts
• World Language: French
• World Language: Spanish 

Educational Affiliations
• Clinical Laboratory Sciences—Sentara RMH and Augusta Health 

Dual-Degree Programs
• Engineering—Virginia Tech
• Veterinary Medicine—Virginia Tech 

Graduate Programs
• Master of Arts in Digital Media Strategy
• Master of Science in Athletic Training
• Master of Science in Human Resource Management* 
• Master of Science in Psychology—Mental Health Professions* 

* Pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commissions on Colleges, December 2019

At Bridgewater College, you are not just a number: you are a valued member of a vibrant community. Small classes and a low student-faculty ratio help you make personal connections with your professors and receive the attention that will help you thrive academically and personally. 

Academic excellence
You will be challenged and pushed outside your comfort zone. Whether through undergraduate research, real-world internships and practicums, presentations at professional conferences, or independent study, you’ll find that academic life at Bridgewater is broad and invigorating.

May Term classes offer opportunities to explore special topics in the classroom or travel to destinations such as South Africa, Europe, and Los Angeles and connect your studies to real-world issues. 

Many students choose to study abroad for a semester in countries such as Argentina, France, Germany, Ghana, Morocco, Spain, Thailand, Uruguay, and many more through the College’s study abroad programs.

Bridgewater students build connections with experienced faculty, develop the critical-thinking skills central to a liberal arts education, and go out into the community for hands-on experience. Whether you go on to graduate school or immediately begin a career, Bridgewater’s emphasis on personal development, reflective analysis, global awareness, and proficiency in your chosen field provide a solid foundation for personal and professional success after college.

Community
As a residential college, Bridgewater offers everything from traditional dorms to apartment-style residences for upperclass students. It’s easy to get involved. Eagle Productions (the student-led entertainment programming board), BC Voice (the student media organization), student government, theatre productions, music ensembles, spiritual life groups, political affiliations, professional organizations, and honor societies are among the nearly 80 clubs and organizations on campus.

In addition, anyone can play in the College’s year-round intramural leagues—which include competition in more than 20 different sports—or participate in an active outdoor program, taking advantage of the College’s location in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.

Whatever your passions and interests, you’ll have the freedom to pursue them and make lasting friendships along the way. Students often describe Bridgewater as their second family.

The Bridgewater experience
Experience Bridgewater for yourself. To schedule a visit, check on upcoming open houses, or apply for admission, please visit bridgewater.edu or call 800-759-8328.

 

“I loved being part of Bridgewater’s Teacher Education Program because of the faculty’s commitment to the mission of training competent, caring, and highly qualified teachers. Classes involved extensive discussion and critical thinking regarding how to provide quality instruction for the diverse needs of students. Beginning early on in the program, Bridgewater allows its TEP candidates to experience the classroom firsthand through field experiences in local schools.” 
— Emily Morris, Class of 2018
Spanish and Liberal Studies