Marshall University (MU) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Marshall University is located in the rolling, green hills of southern West Virginia and has several campuses throughout the Huntington and Charleston areas. The school has experienced great success and national recognition with its numerous athletic championships and prestigious academic programs. Marshall’s forensic science graduate program is one of only three post-graduate forensic science programs in the country accredited by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. The university also features the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine which is a nationally-reputed regional cancer research institution.

Marshall’s outstanding academic programs and reputation for producing hall-of-fame athletes has earned it national recognition as an exemplary program. However, the release of the movie We Are Marshall brought the national spotlight to the school. The movie depicts the tragic plane crash of November 14,1970 in which seventy-five people including coaches, fans, flight members and nearly the entire football team lost their lives. It was the biggest air tragedy in NCAA history and the college solemnly remembers the tragedy by way of a memorial fountain. The catastrophic events of that day brought the school together and fostered a fellowship that continues to exemplify the feeling of family and teamwork that the school personifies today.

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Information Summary

Ranks 5th in West Virginia and 928th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	81.2
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$21,969
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	25 / 1130
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	17 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	72% / 30%
Enrollment Total (all students)	13,204

Academics

Marshall is accredited by the North Central Association of Schools. The university offers two associate’s programs, over 40 baccalaureate programs, more than 50 master’s programs and several doctorate programs. Marshall also has several post-baccalaureate professional certification programs. Acceptance to the programs may be attained by completing the application packet appropriate to the major or program as well as the standard application packet required for admission. Many of the programs require separate applications, so students should be aware of this prior to applying.

Baccalaureate Programs

Students can pursue an extensive array of bachelor’s degree programs, including accounting, economics, finance and marketing. Students earning these degrees may choose to enter the business and management work force in entry-level positions. The College of Business also prepares undergraduate students for graduate school.

The College of Education and Human Services offers students the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in several different academic and social areas such as hospitality, early childhood education and family and consumer science. Students may also enter the education program as an undecided student and make a decision regarding which field they would like to pursue after taking a semester or two of the educational prerequisites. This school grooms students to either enter the workforce as entry-level teachers, social workers or restaurant management personnel, or to enter the graduate program of choice.

Marshall University’s College of Fine Arts awards the Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree to students studying music, theater or visual arts in such areas as theater performance, music composition and graphic design. Students may also enter this college as an undecided student.

The College of Health Professions awards a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in such areas as athletic training, cytotechnogy, exercise science, nursing and medical imaging. Additional degrees available in this area of study are an A.S.N. in nursing (the bridge degree between LPN and RN), a B.A. in Physical Education or a B.S.W. in social work. Students earning a degree from the College of Health Professions go on to either a graduate program or to entry-level positions in the health or athletic fields. Students may also enter this college in order to earn specialized certificates. Also offered are certificates in blood banking, clinical chemistry, clinical hematology, clinical microbiology and school nursing.

The College of Information Technology and Engineering is geared toward those students who wish to pursue a career in computer science, civil engineering or safety technology. Students wishing to pursue graduate or doctorate work in engineering may choose to enter the pre-engineering program.

The School of Journalism and Mass Communications provides students with an interest in journalism or advertising an opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree in their field and enter the workforce in such positions as sports broadcasters, public relations professionals or newspaper journalists.

Students wishing to pursue degrees in areas such as psychology, sociology, political science or criminology may do so in the College of Liberal Arts. This college also has four different specialized certificates that may be earned including Appalachian Studies, Asian Studies, Geospatial Studies and Latin American Studies certificates.

The School of Extended Education is dedicated to adults who already have work and family commitments and offers two degrees with a curriculum specifically designed to make earning a degree possible for this population. The Regents Bachelor of Arts degree offers programs such as psychology, game development and computer forensics and the Bachelor of Applied Science offers study in areas including administrative communication and social policy.

Finally, the College of Science is one of the largest and most popular colleges in which to study. Students may earn a B.S. in a plethora of areas such as chemistry, biology, mathematics and physics. Students seeking to pursue graduate work often obtain undergraduate degrees in this program. There is also a certificate program for computer forensics.

Graduate and Doctorate Programs

The Graduate Program Committee (GPC) is the body responsible for all graduate courses, licensure programs, changes, and everything else that falls within the scope of the school’s graduate program. This committee is composed of various faculty members and oversees the entire graduate program in order to maintain the highest level of educational standards within the university.

Offered are master’s degrees and doctorates in approximately fifty fields including psychology, nursing, journalism, education and business administration. Marshall understands that many adults need to work and cannot take traditional classroom courses. To address this need, the university offers several online master’s degrees in the education field. Whether attending classes online or traditionally, students have full access to all of the resources necessary to reach their goals including access to professors and academic advisors. There is no need to be a computer professional in order to pursue an online degree, but basic skills such as the ability to send and receive email and access the internet will be necessary. Students interested in obtaining a master’s degree online should check MU’s website for more information.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

Undergraduate Admissions

Admission to MU is an extremely straightforward process and acceptance is guaranteed for students that meet general requirements. There are several requirements, though, so students should check with the admissions office for current enrollment information. To begin the application process, prospective students will need to complete the application either online via the school’s website or by contacting the school to request a paper application. Students should be aware that some majors/colleges require separate applications and may have different requirements. Admission to the school does not guarantee admission to a particular major or program.

After submitting the application and enrollment fee, students should begin submitting supporting documents in order to complete the application portfolio. These documents include but may not be limited to an official high school or GED transcript, transcripts from other colleges or universities that the student may have attended, SAT or ACT scores and a valid immunization record including vaccination for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). There are additional requirements for transfer students and international students, so check with the Admissions Office for further information.

Non-Traditional and Early Entry Students

Students that graduated from high school more than five years prior to applying are not required to take the SAT or ACT but may instead be required to take placement tests. Students that have completed all high school requirements by the end of the fall semester of their senior year may apply as an Early Entry student providing that all freshmen requirements listed above are met and they have a letter from the high school guidance counselor verifying that all high school requirements have been met but a diploma will not be awarded until the end of the spring semester. Early Entry students should be aware that they are only approved for one term and may not reside on campus. In order to meet general admissions requirements for the following year, proof of graduation must be submitted.

Conditional Acceptance

All incoming, first-time freshmen pursuing a four-year baccalaureate degree that meet MU’s minimum general requirements are accepted unconditionally. A limited number of students that do not meet the minimum general requirements (minimum GPA, SAT or ACT score or high school curriculum) are accepted conditionally. Conditionally admitted students will be accepted into University College and will be expected to meet all prerequisites within three semesters and may then transfer into any major/college for which they are eligible.

Graduate Admissions

The school’s graduate programs each have their own entrance requirements but in general, students will need to complete the application for the desired program either online or by paper application and submit the application fee. Official transcripts from undergraduate schools (except Marshall) should be submitted and program-appropriate test results such as the GRE should be forwarded to Marshall. There is a minimum overall undergraduate GPA required and each school may have its own academic requirements as well. Students should contact the graduate school of choice to determine exact requirements in order to ensure complete application packets are submitted.

Financial Aid

MU’s tuition tends to be low in comparison to other state colleges and universities. Combined with low tuition rates and an extensive financial aid program, an education here is extremely affordable. Financial aid is available to students in the form of scholarships, grants, federally subsidized loans and student employment. Both need-based and merit-based scholarships are available and there are even scholarships available for adults who are West Virginia residents that can only attend part-time.

All of the forms necessary to apply for assistance are available on the school’s website and should be completed as early as possible because some have limited amounts per year and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Also, West Virginia residents need to be sure that they complete an affidavit of residency in order to receive in-state tuition rates. Students matriculating directly out of a West Virginia high school will automatically be considered residents as long as they completed the entire senior year in the state.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 4608th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in West Virginia.

Athletics

West Virginia has no professional sports teams and therefore residents take their college sports extremely seriously! Marshall’s Thundering Herd has a massive fan base and has enjoyed phenomenal success. Rain or shine, snow or sleet, the stands are sure to be filled with faces painted green and white. The athletic program has produced many great athletes that went on to enjoy professional success including Pro Bowler and multiple Superbowl Champion Troy Brown, Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington and Hail Greer, who was voted one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History by the NBA for their 50th anniversary.

The school offers both men’s and women’s varsity basketball, cross country, golf and soccer. In addition, men may compete in baseball and football while women may choose to participate in softball, tennis, swimming and diving, volleyball and track and field. There are also lacrosse and rugby clubs. The Marching Thunder, the prestigious marching band, performs at all home games and many away games as well as hosting West Virginia’s largest tri-county marching band festival. Being an athlete here opens up opportunities for students that will follow them throughout their lives.

Marshall University