2024-2025 Catalog > Academic Opportunities > Cooperative Arrangements

Cooperative Arrangements

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW

The Columbia School of Law may admit Occidental students upon completion of their junior year to its Accelerated Interdisciplinary Program in Legal Education, leading to the potential completion of the Bachelor of Arts degree from Occidental and Doctor of Jurisprudence from Columbia at the end of six years. The program is highly competitive and requires students to meet all of the Columbia Law School admission criteria prior to nomination by an Occidental College AILE Committee. Requirements for admission to Columbia Law School are available at: https://www.law.columbia.edu/admissions/jd.

KECK GRADUATE INSTITUTE

Occidental College students have the unique opportunity to transition from a baccalaureate degree to any current or future masters programs in the School of Applied Life Sciences at Keck Graduate Institute (KGI), currently including: Master of Business and Science (MBS), Master of Engineering in Biopharmaceutical Processing (MENG), and Master of Science in Applied Life Sciences (MS). These degrees emphasize the translation of basic science and engineering into product development and commercialization and prepares professionals for leadership positions in the bioscience industry.

We have developed a pathway to transition students from Occidental College to KGI. This pathway includes fewer application hurdles (no standardized tests, no application fee, only one letter of recommendation, early fellowship consideration) and early admissions.

Steps to take before March 15 of your senior year:

• Attend a visitation day at KGI or participate in a virtual event (for dates refer to http://www.kgi.edu).
• In collaboration with your academic or faculty adviser, develop a curriculum plan to ensure your eligibility for this program.
• Complete 300 hours of internship, work, or research experience in the life sciences or engineering in an academic, nonprofit, corporate or laboratory environment.

• Submit an online application to KGI.
• Work with a KGI admission counselor to complete your application.
• Request a letter from Dr. Eileen Spain, associate dean of the College, verifying your eligibility.

• Submit final, official transcripts from all universities before July 15 showing proof of graduation.

• Complete all Bachelor of Science degree requirements at Occidental College
• Graduate with a 3.4 cumulative GPA or higher
• Complete 300 hours of internship, work, or research experience in the life sciences or engineering in an academic, nonprofit, corporate, or laboratory environment.
• Complete a degree in one of the following majors* at Occidental College: Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Kinesiology.

*If you are not pursuing one of the listed majors, you may still qualify by having a KGI admissions counselor pre-qualify your coursework. Contact admissions@kgi.edu for more information.

MASSACHUSETTS COLLEGE OF PHARMACY AND HEALTH SCIENCES 

4-3 Transfer Plan in Doctor of Physical Therapy 

Occidental students graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree who aspire to become a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) will benefit from a special transfer pathway to Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences (MCPHS) at the Worcester campus.  Applicants will be guaranteed an interview and receive priority consideration in the MCPHS DPT admissions process. Applicants must complete the DPT pathway prerequisites, fill out an intent to apply form before Oct 15 of their senior year, and apply to MCPHS through PTCAS before December 1 of the year preceding the intended enrollment year. 

Eligibility Requirements:

• Complete all Bachelor of Arts degree requirements at Occidental College

• Complete a degree in one of the following majors* at Occidental College:  Psychology, Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Kinesiology, Physics

• Complete all DPT Pathway prerequisites by the time you graduate

• Complete the Intent to Apply MCPHS-DPT online form before October 15

• Meet with your pre-health advisor to complete your application 

• Complete a transfer application through PTCAS no later than December 1st of the student’s senior year (the year preceding the intended enrollment year).

*If you are not pursuing one of the listed majors, you may still qualify by having an MCPHS admissions counselor pre-qualify your coursework. 

DPT Pathway Prerequisite Courses and Credits

Students wishing to enter this program should schedule a meeting with the pre-health advising office. For more advice, please contact:

Kat Wang

Director of Pre-health Advising 

katwang@oxy.edu

(323) 259-2665

Anel Farias

Pre-Health Advisor  

afarias@oxy.edu

323-259-2977