The Bridge Program

Bridge Program

The Pitzer Bridge Program helps speakers of other languages to develop the sophisticated level of English needed to actively participate in the challenging liberal arts education at Pitzer and The Claremont Colleges. It provides ongoing support to students as they move into increasingly demanding courses across the college curriculum.

Admission to Pitzer

International students who demonstrate advanced proficiency in English (IELTS score of 6 or TOEFL IBT score of 70-95 or CBT score of 190-240) are eligible for full admission to Pitzer College through the Pitzer Bridge Program. Application to the Bridge Program is automatically made with your application to Pitzer.

Graduation from Pitzer

To graduate from Pitzer College, Bridge students must complete 32 courses (128 semester units), including four Bridge courses.

The Bridge Course Sequence

Pitzer Bridge courses are offered through the Modern Languages, Literature and Culture (MLLC) field group (department).

Fall Semester

  • MLLC 111:  Public Speaking (4 units) - Through readings, lectures, films and field study in the social sciences, students will explore contemporary global issues as the content base for developing proficiency in American academic speech behavior. Skills emphasized will include making formal presentations, leading and participating in discussions and sustaining narration on a range of topics.
  • MLLC 122:  Critical Analysis Through Literature (4 units) - Short stories, essays and novels exploring a range of American experiences will provide a basis for students to develop an understanding of the social, political, historical and philosophical thought that informs this literature and the language needed to express an analysis of these works.
  • First Year Seminar: Written Analysis (4 units) - This course serves as the writing-intensive First-Year Seminar for Bridge students. Discussions, readings and writing assignments are focused on the seminar theme. Students will write frequent essays and a research paper that demonstrate control of the most important conventions of American academic discourse.
  • Student Choice from Pitzer Course Listing (4 units)

Spring Semester

  • MLLC 144:  Advanced Speech and Rhetoric: Argument and Debate (4 units) - Students will critique and present arguments in formal spoken English through debates, discussions and extemporaneous talks centered around contemporary issues. Models of argumentation will be analyzed.
  • MLLC 155:  Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum: Integrated Analysis (4 units) - Further development in expository writing and oral expression of critical thinking through projects related to the content of a Pitzer companion course. Students must enroll concurrently in the companion course designated by the Pitzer Bridge program.
  • Companion Course to MLLC 155 (4 units)
  • Student Choice from Pitzer Course Listing (4 units)

Frequently Asked Questions

If I enter as a Bridge Student, am I a regular student?
Yes, you will earn full admission to Pitzer College with the provision that you complete the Bridge course sequence as part of your undergraduate studies.

Is it possible for me to graduate with my class? Won't I be behind if I have to take the additional Bridge courses?
All Bridge courses carry full credit and may be used to fulfill graduation requirements or electives. If you take a full course load, you will graduate with your class.

Do I really need the Bridge Program? I completed English in high school.
The challenging education offered at Pitzer and The Claremont Colleges requires an exceptionally strong foundation in academic English. Even students with iBT 100 find the work load demanding. The Bridge Program provides an essential transition into rigorous college level work.

What sort of students enroll in the Bridge Program?
Read about current Bridge students here.

For More Information

The Pitzer Bridge Program
Pitzer College
1050 N. Mills Ave.
Claremont, California 91711

Telephone: 909-621-8308
Fax: 909-621-0518
Email: bridge@pitzer.edu