First Year Academics

The First Year Experience begins when students set foot on campus to plan their first semester, which is grounded in two signature courses:

Westminster Seminar

A 3-credit hour seminar that emphasizes development of college learning skills, such as critical thinking, reading analysis, and communication. Students cultivate these skills through an intentionally-designed curriculum that prepares them for college-level success in a fun, challenging, seminar-style course on an unusual and interesting topic! Learn about the Psychology of the Superhero, explore The Middle Ages in Popular Culture, or spend time discussing Creativity and Innovation in Millennial Culture as you sharpen your academic skills!

The Leader Within

The Leader Within is a one-credit hour course based on the mission and values of Westminster College and The Concept for Student Development - the organizing framework that coordinates and integrates all Westminster educational and developmental programs. The course is designed to help students begin to understand who they are and what they wish to accomplish at Westminster and in life. This course focuses on a student’s personal exploration that fosters a process of understanding who they are and culminates with setting goals for themselves. The course also helps students identify the opportunities they can pursue at Westminster that can help them achieve their goals while encouraging them to reflect on their own strengths, weaknesses, habits, and skills

Specialized Support

Through the Westminster Seminar, First Year students are given peer mentors- upperclassmen who show them the ropes, introduce them to student life, and connect them to campus opportunities!

First year students receive focused advising from professional academic advisors who help them chart their academic path and establish personal goals while learning about the academic requirements. Whether students want to study abroad, pursue internships, plan a specialized program of study, or are undecided and exploring major and career options, the professional advisors assist students to create an individualized plan for personal success. The Westminster First Year Experience encourages students to look beyond the first year and consider what steps they will take to develop the leader within.

“This is the place where I grew up. From basic functions like doing my own laundry, to my personal social growth, to the immense knowledge I have gained inside the classroom and at my internship, this college has provided me with everything I need to become a successful adult. ”

Patrick Flesch, Class of 2020