The College
Alma College is a selective, residential private liberal arts college that highlights personalized education, social responsibility and extraordinary achievements. Devoted exclusively to the teaching and education of undergraduate students, the College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.
With an enrollment of 1,444 students (44 percent men and 56 percent women), the College employs a full-time teaching faculty of 87, of which 87 percent hold the Ph.D. or other terminal degree. The student-teacher ratio is 13:1, and no classes are taught by graduate students.
Alma College was founded in 1886 by Michigan Presbyterians. While still maintaining a close relationship with the Presbyterian Church (USA), the College offers an environment that welcomes students of all religious backgrounds.
The College’s attractive campus is located in the city of Alma (population approximately 9,000), located one hour north of Lansing in the center of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.
National Recognition
Alma College is among the 10 percent of all colleges and universities in the nation to hold membership in The Phi Beta Kappa Society, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious undergraduate honors organization.
Alma College students report levels of educational experiences and faculty interaction that exceed the national norms by significant amounts, according to the 2007 National Survey of Student Engagement.
The Corporation for National and Community Service named Alma College to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll With Distinction for exemplary service efforts and service to disadvantaged youth. The Honor Roll is the highest federal recognition a school can achieve for its commitment to service-learning and civic engagement.
Alma College is one of 240 institutions nationwide selected for inclusion in the Colleges of Distinction Guidebook, which profiles institutions that are consistently recognized for quality teaching, the kinds of experiences available to students, and how well students do after they graduate.
Exceptional Scholars
Since 2003, twenty-seven Alma College students have won prestigious national fellowships, scholarships and awards, including 15 Fulbright fellowships and multiple Udall, Truman, Marshall, Goldwater and Gates-Cambridge scholarships.
Alma College students are annual high achievers in the national Model United Nations competition. Alma has received Oustanding Delegation awards at the world’s largest and most prestigious collegiate Model UN conference in each of the last 13 years (1997 through 2009).
Academic Program
Alma offers four degrees: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Fine Arts. All require a liberal arts foundation.
Academic Calendar
Alma utilizes a 4-4-1 academic calendar with 14-week terms in the fall and winter and a four-week term in May. The intensive Spring Term provides an opportunity for innovative course patterns, travel classes, research and internships during an ideal season.
Majors
Interdisciplinary majors may be designed in fields such as environmental studies, gerontology, and public health. Pre-professional programs prepare students for further study and careers in dentistry, engineering, law, medicine, the ministry and occupational therapy. Academic minors are available in American studies, art history, Christian education, cognitive science, environmental studies, gerontology, new media studies, public health and women's studies.
Athletics
Thirty-four percent of Alma students participate in intercollegiate athletics , joining the winning NCAA Division III tradition of the Alma Scots. Men: baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field. Women: basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball.
Performing Arts
More than a third of all Alma students take part in at least one performance each year. The College offers majors in theatre, dance and music, but students of all majors may join in productions. The Heritage Center for the Performing Arts is the region's premiere performing arts facility. It houses the Theatre and Dance Department and serves as the performance venue for the College's eight music ensembles. It features a 500-seat concert hall for large performances, an intimate 190-seat theatre, and a dance studio.
Content updated: October 06, 2009 at 4:27 PM -0500
