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Southwestern University is a private, four-year undergraduate liberal arts university, located in the heart of Central Texas. The university’s 701-acre campus is situated in historic Georgetown, Texas – this location offers students a small-town feel with easy access to the city of Austen, with its vibrant, innovative and creative culture. Charted in 1840 by the Republic of Texas, Southwestern was founded by Methodist missionaries and maintains an affiliation with the United Methodist Church to this day. A residential campus that provides students with a true liberal arts education, Southwestern’s commitment is to “Fostering a liberal arts community whose values and actions encourage contributions toward the well-being of humanity.”
Academic Programs
Southwestern University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is made up of the Brown College of Arts & Sciences and the Sarofim School of Fine Arts. Southwestern offers undergraduate degrees exclusively, including bachelor degrees in arts, science, education, music, and fine arts. Students may choose from a variety of majors, including Accounting, Anthropology, Art, Biochemistry, Business, Classics, Communication Studies, Computer Science, Economics, Education, English, Environmental Studies, Feminist Studies, History, International Studies, Kinesiology, Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, Physical Science, Political Science, Psychology, Religion, Sociology, and Theatre.Southwestern students are active in civic engagement and volunteer an estimated 39,000 service hours annually to over 100 local nonprofits and agencies. Approximately half of students complete at least one internship experience – either domestic or abroad – which provides them with valuable professional experience where they can test-drive a career and put into practice what they’ve learned in the classroom. Over one third of students also choose to study abroad and have access to a variety of universities around the world through the International Student Exchange Program. A short-term London experience is also available each Fall as well as summer programs in locations such as Argentina, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Peru, Spain.
Student Life
Over 1,500 students make up Southwestern’s student body. More than three quarters of students live in residential campus housing and everyone has access to a fleet of “Pirate Bikes”, a rideshare program designed to help all of Southwestern’s members get around campus in a quick and environmentally friendly way. Bikes are left conveniently outside of campus buildings for students and staff to grab and ride to their destination, then left parked outside for the next person’s use.More than 90 student organizations and groups exist, catering to interests ranging from scholastic and honorary, to government, special interests and departmental. Most students take advantage of the leadership, social and activism opportunities these groups present. In addition, at least three Greek life groups exist on campus, including the Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Chi honor societies and the Omnicron Delta Kapp national leadership society.
Southwestern is an NCAA Division III school and is a member of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC). Southwestern boasts approximately twenty varsity teams nicknamed the Pirates, as well as nearly two dozen intramural sports and a number of club sports. Roughly 80% of students participate annually in some type of organized physical activity.