Course Catalog 2020-2021

Wheaton was founded in 1834 as a female seminary and chartered as a four-year liberal arts college in 1912. The college became coeducational in 1988, and its Phi Beta Kappa chapter was established in 1932. On July 15, 2014, Dennis M. Hanno became Wheaton’s eighth president. 

Throughout Wheaton College’s history, our reputation for academic excellence is a direct result of pioneering leadership. Today, we share with past generations the rich academic tradition of the liberal arts and sciences. At the same time, we benefit from a host of curricular initiatives begun during the past two decades—new programs that help us explore ideas and concepts across academic disciplines, link academic study with learning outside the classroom, appreciate diversity in all its forms, and see ourselves as active members of a global community.

Wheaton College Mission Statement

Wheaton College provides a transformative liberal arts education for intellectually curious students in a collaborative, academically vibrant residential community that values a diverse world.

Statement of Accreditation

Wheaton College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (formerly the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.).

Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the commission indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality periodically applied though a peer review process. An accredited college or university is one which has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation.

Accreditation by the commission is not partial but applies to the institution as a whole. As such, it is not a guarantee of every course or program offered, or the competence of individual graduates. Rather, it provides reasonable assurance about the quality of opportunities available to students who attend the institution.

The commission renewed Wheaton’s accreditation on October 8, 2019. The details of the commission’s decision are contained in its official notice of accreditation (pdf).

Inquiries regarding the accreditation status by the Commission should be directed to the administrative staff of the institution. Individuals may also contact:

New England Commission of Higher Education
3 Burlington Woods Drive, Suite 100
Burlington, MA 01803-4514
(781) 425 7785
Email: info@neche.org

Notice of Nondiscrimination

Wheaton College is committed to the principles of Equal Opportunity as defined under federal and state law. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, disability, genetic information, national or ethnic origin, citizenship, age, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, military or veteran status, membership in the Uniformed Services, or any other legally protected status in its admission policy, programs, or activities, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and other College-administered programs, or employment practices and programs.

The following office has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy:

Office of Human Resources
26 E. Main Street
Norton, Massachusetts 02766
508-286-8206

Contacting Wheaton

To contact Wheaton College, individuals may write to us at 26 East Main Street, Norton, MA  02766 or call the main number which is 508-286-8200.  

Disclaimer

The information in the catalog was accurate at the time of publication. The college reserves the right to make changes from time to time affecting its curriculum, fees or other matters as educational and financial considerations require.