Academics
What can you become at WVU? Just about anything you want to be!
We currently offer 185 degree programs, making your possibilities nearly limitless. New programs continue to be added as the University adapts to the current needs of our students and the ever-changing job market. Many majors result in extremely high job placement rates (for example, nursing = 100%, mining engineering = 100%, pharmacy = 100%).
Our proud tradition of academic excellence attracts some of the region’s best high school seniors. Whether your goal is to be a nurse, speech pathologist, forensic investigator, opera singer, physicist, reporter, aerospace engineer, athletic trainer, CEO, interior designer, lawyer, or pharmacist, our 15 colleges and schools can make it happen.
We’re proud to have produced:
· 25 Rhodes Scholars, winners of the world’s most prestigious scholarship (President Hardesty was one)
· 32 Goldwater Scholars (America’s premier science scholarship)
· 20 Truman Scholars (given by the U.S. Congress for exceptional public service)
· 6 members of USA Today’s All-USA College Academic First Team
· 2 Udall Scholarship winners (given to undergraduates in areas related to the environment and Native American studies)
· 2 British Marshall Scholars (awarded to undergraduates and graduates for two or three years of study in the United Kingdom)
· 1 Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Graduate Scholar (awarded to college seniors and recent graduates for six years of graduate study)
History/Role About
Home » About » History/Role
The West Virginia University Alumni Association was founded on June 19, 1873, by 16 graduates who met in the University Chapel at the call of Reverend Alexander Martin, the University's first president.
The group was composed of Marmaduke H. Dent (first president of the Alumni Association), Class of 1870; Oliver H. Dille, Class of 1871; William E. Jolliffe, Class of 1871; Benjamin W. Smith, Class of 1872; and these members of the Class of 1873: Daniel B. Purinton, Edmund T. Bullock, Taylor B. McClure, John T. Harris, Charles M. Babb, James T. Waters Jr., William T. Pritchard, James F. Brown, George P. Lynch, William L. Boughner, Thomas H. Price and Marcellus L. Temple, who signed the first Constitution in that order.
Today, the Alumni Association takes great pride in representing more than 170,000 graduates who reside in every county in West Virginia, every state in the Union and approximately 60 foreign nations. With nearly 100 registered chapters and constituent groups, the Alumni Association's 28,000 dues-paying members support Homecoming, the WVU Academy of Distinguished Alumni and dozens of other social and philanthropic programs. The organization is involved in numerous activities including student recruiting, public service, University advocacy and career networking. The Erickson Alumni Center serves as the home away from home for alumni and friends of WVU.
Academy of Distinguished Alumni Awards & Scholarships
Home » Awards & Scholarships » Academy of Distinguished Alumni
The Academy of Distinguished Alumni honors West Virginia University graduates who have attained national or international distinction in their profession or discipline. The award has been established by the West Virginia University Alumni Association in cooperation with the University's 13 schools and colleges.
Since 1988, this prestigious award has been bestowed on more than 70 West Virginia University alumni, including Jerry West, David Selby, Dr. Nancy Nielsen, Rod "Hot Rod" Hundley, Sam Huff and Gen. Robert H. Foglesong.
Inductees are nominated by the general membership of the Alumni Association or their respective schools or colleges. Information on the honorees is permanently displayed in the Erickson Alumni Center. To be considered for this prestigious recognition, nominees must hold a degree from West Virginia University; he/she should be recognized in his/her profession at the national or international level; and he/she cannot be present WVU, WVU Alumni Association, or WVU Foundation, Inc. employees. (However, this would not necessarily exclude members of the Board of Governors, Foundation Board, etc.).
WVU Alumni Association membership/support, WVU support, WVU Foundation, Inc. support or monetary support to any of these three are not limiting factors for nomination.
You can nominate individuals for this award by completing the on-line form or by downloading/completing the nomination form and submitting it, along with all required documentation, to the WVU Alumni Association at P.O. Box 4269, Morgantown, WV 26504-4269. Deadline for 2010 nominations is Nov. 13, 2009.
2009 Inductees
Celebrating its 22rd anniversary, the West Virginia University Academy of Distinguished Alumni bestowed its highest honor on three outstanding graduates, including Gregory Babe, President and CEO, Bayer Corporation and Bayer MaterialScience LLC; Dr. Nancy Nielsen, president of the American Medical Association; and Scott Widmeyer, Chairman of Widmeyer Communications.
These distinguished alumni were inducted into the Academy on Feb. 9.
Backyard Brawl Traditions
Home » Traditions » Backyard Brawl
West Virginia's annual football and basketball games with Pitt are referred to as "The Backyard Brawl" because of the close proximity of the two schools. West Virginia University and the University of Pittsburgh have been playing football games for 94 straight years, representing the nation's 14th oldest football rivalry. The two basketball teams have played 163 times since 1904.
Country Roads Traditions
Home » Traditions » Country Roads
The theme song of West Virginia University, Country Roads, has been performed at every home football pre-game show since 1972. The song also is played after every home win and fans are encouraged to stay in the stands and join in singing Country Roads.
In 1980, John Denver performed his hit song during pre-game festivities to a sold-out crowd of Mountaineer fans. His performance of Country Roads marked the dedication of Mountaineer Field and the first game for head coach Don Nehlen.
Lyrics to Country Roads are also available here: Country Roads Lyrics.
Read fellow Mountaineers' tales of Country Roads or tell us, where have you traveled and sang/heard Country Roads? E-mail us at .
Freshman General Admissions Requirements
To be considered for freshman admission, a student must successfully complete the following high school credits:
· 4 units of English (including grammar, composition, and literature)
· 4 units of college preparatory mathematics
>>Three units must be Algebra I and II and Plane Geometry
Select majors may require a fourth math considered to be higher than Algebra II
· 3 units of social studies (including U.S. History)
· 3 units of science (ALL units must be laboratory science.)
>> Recommended units include: Biology, Chemistry, Physics,
Anatomy, and Environmental Science
· 2 units of a foreign language, must be the same language.
>> American Sign Language is acceptable for this requirement
· 1 unit of fine arts
>> Recommended units include: Music, Band, Art, Theater, Dance,
Drama, and Performance
These requirements are in addition to the GPA and test score criteria needed to review the applications, as noted below under "Minimum Requirements for Application Review."
Transcripts
Don't forget: all applications must be accompanied by an official transcript. Send official transcripts of all of your previous schoolwork to WVU. You can send these with your application or have your high school send them separately. Also send official transcripts of any college work you have completed.
Send transcripts to:
WVU Admissions
PO Box 6009
Morgantown, WV 26506-6009
Fax: 304-293-8832
Essays and Recommendations
The WVU undergraduate admissions application does not include an essay. Recommendations are not required, but the admissions staff may request that you submit a recommendation if they need additional information. When you apply for some WVU scholarships and special programs, you may be asked to submit essays and/or recommendations.
Minimum Requirements for Application Review
(meeting these requirements does not guarantee admission)
West Virginia residents must have at least a 2.0 grade-point average and either a composite ACT score of 19 or a combined Math and Critical Reading SAT score of 910.
Nonresidents must have at least a 2.5 grade-point average and either a composite ACT score of 21 or a combined Math and Critical Reading SAT score of 990.
Please note that WVU does not mix and match sub scores from different test dates for admissions and scholarship consideration. Only the best composite score is used in determining eligibility.
WVU does not require students to take the optional written component of the ACT examination.
Grade-point average (GPA) is based on information received from a student's high school transcript. The most recent cumulative GPA on the transcript is used when determining admission to the University. This is the same GPA used by the Undergraduate Scholarship Office when determining scholarship eligibility. The Office of Admissions does not re-calculate GPAs for scholarship consideration after the initial high school transcript is received.
Additional Requirements for Specific Programs
Some colleges and programs within WVU have admission standards that exceed the minimal University admission requirements. Admission to the University does not ensure admission into a specific school, college, or program. Please review the Additional Requirements page for more information about college- or program-specific requirements.
2009 Freshman Class Profile
The average student enrolled in WVU's Fall 2009 freshman class had a 3.31 high school grade point average, a composite ACT score of 23.6, and/or SAT Math + Critical Reading score of 1048.
Home Schooled Applicants and Applicants Graduating from Non-Accredited High Schools
Home schooled applicants and applicants graduating from non-accredited high schools must meet the minimum requirements for application review and also submit a typed manuscript or description of their class background. Minimally, this documentation must include:
· The student’s name
· A list and description of courses completed. Descriptions should include duration of study, content of the course, and measurement of student assessment
· Grades earned for the courses completed
· The number of credits earned for each course
The courses must be broken down by 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade years. The transcripts must bear the signature of the person who administered the curriculum.
Detailed guidelines are available at http://www.arc.wvu.edu/admissions/home_school_guidelines.htm.
GED Applicants
GED scores may be used for admission consideration. You need to submit an average standard score of 45 or above for consideration.
To determine the average standard GED score, please follow one of these two steps:
· For three-digit scores, divide by 5 to determine the average standard score.
· For four-digit scores, divide by 50 to determine the average standard score.
A
· Accounting
· Advertising
· Aerospace Engineering +
· Agribusiness Management and Rural Development
· Agricultural and Extension Education
· Agricultural and Resource Economics
· Agriculture, Forestry, and Consumer Sciences
· Agroecology
· Agronomy
· Animal and Food Sciences
· Animal and Nutritional Sciences
· Applied and Environmental Microbiology
· Art
· Art Education
· Art History
· Athletic Coaching Education
· Athletic Training
· Audiology
+ Double major available in Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering
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Key: = Bachelor / = Master / = Doctorate/Professional
B
· Biochemistry
· Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
· Biochemistry/Biology
· Biochemistry/Chemistry
· Biology
· Biomedical Sciences, Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs
· Biometric Systems +
· Broadcast News
· Business
· Business Administration
· Business Administration (Executive MBA)
· Business Management
+ Double majors available in Biometric Systems & Computer Engineering and Biometric Systems & Electrical Engineering
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Key: = Bachelor / = Master / = Doctorate/Professional
C
· Cancer Cell Biology
· Cellular and Integrative Physiology
· Chemical Engineering
· Chemistry
· Child Development and Family Studies
· Civil Engineering +
· Communication Studies
· Community Health Education
· Computer Engineering +
· Computer Science (Eberly)
· Computer Science (Engineering) +
· Counseling
· Counseling Psychology
· Creative Writing
· Criminology and Investigations
· Curriculum and Instruction
· Curriculum, Literacy, and Cultural Studies
+ Double majors available in Civil Engineering & Mining Engineering, Computer Engineering & Biometric Systems, Computer Engineering & Computer Science, Computer & Electrical Engineering, and Computer Science & Electrical Engineering
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Key: = Bachelor / = Master / = Doctorate/Professional
D
· Dental Hygiene
· Dentistry
· Design Studies
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Key: = Bachelor / = Master / = Doctorate/Professional
E
· Economics
· Educational Leadership
· Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
· Educational Psychology
· Educational Psychology/Child Development & Family Studies
· Educational Psychology/Program Evaluation and Research
· Electrical Engineering +
· Elementary Education
· Elementary Education/Science #
· Endodontics
· Engineering
· English
· Entomology
· Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
· Environmental Geoscience
· Environmental Microbiology
· Environmental Protection
· Exercise Physiology
+ Double majors available in Electrical & Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering & Biometric Systems, and Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
# Five year/entry level program leading to a bachelor's in subject/area in the Eberly College of Arts & Sciences & a master's degree in Education
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Key: = Bachelor / = Master / = Doctorate/Professional
F
· Family and Consumer Sciences
· Fashion Design and Merchandising
· Finance
· Foreign Languages
· Forensic and Investigative Science
· Forest Resources Management
· Forest Resources Science
· Forestry
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Key: = Bachelor / = Master / = Doctorate/Professional
G
· Genetics and Developmental Biology
· Geography
· Geology +
+ Double major available in Geology & Mining Engineering
General Studies is not itself a major, but an area of study in the Liberal Arts Program until students declare a major. Students who are not yet accepted into a pre-major or major program are also included in the General Studies category.
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Key: = Bachelor / = Master / = Doctorate/Professional
H
· History
· Horticulture
· Human and Community Development
· Human Nutrition and Foods
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Key: = Bachelor / = Master / = Doctorate/Professional
I
· Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis
· Individualized Major
· Industrial and Management Systems Engineering
· Industrial Hygiene
· Industrial Mathematics and Statistics
· Industrial Relations
· Instructional Design and Technology
· Integrated Marketing Communications
· Interdepartmental Studies
· Interior Design
· International Studies
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Key: = Bachelor / = Master / = Doctorate/Professional