Mountain State University (MSU) was founded in 1933 and was then known by the name of the Beckley College. It was established with the objective of providing accessible higher education to the youth of West Virginia. Beckley College held its first classes in rooms rented from a local church. Over the years, the college transitioned from being a two-year college to a four-year college and eventually a master’s level institution offering doctoral programs. Beckley College was renamed Mountain State University in August 2001. Mountain State University believes in the value of lifelong learning and the power of knowledge in transforming lives.
Mountain State University is located in the center of downtown Beckley, West Virginia which is about 50 miles south of Charleston. The university is a not-for-profit institution and offers both undergraduate and graduate-level programs. The other campuses of the Mountain State University include Center Township – Pennsylvania, Martinsburg – West Virginia, Mooresville – North Carolina, Orlando – Florida, and Washington, D.C.
Mountain State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. However, a show-cause notice has been served to the Mountain State University giving it the time till December 2011 to demonstrate why its regional accreditation should not be revoked.
Mountain State University
Academics
The academic programs offered by Mountain State University are administered through six schools: School of Business and Technology, School of Arts and Sciences, Charles H. Polk School of Leadership and Professional Devel¬opment, Patsy H. Haslam School of Health Sciences, School of Graduate Studies, and the School of Nursing. The degrees offered to undergraduates include Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.), Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Science (A.S.), Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.), and Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.).
The School of Business and Technology offers certificate, associate, and bachelor’s programs in business and technical fields such as accounting, business administration, legal studies, information technology, and airline transport professional pilot operations.
The School of Arts and Sciences offers degree programs in various professional and academic fields such as criminal justice, biology, environmental sustainability, and fire science.
The Charles H. Polk School of Leadership and Professional Devel¬opment offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs related to the different aspects of leadership such as executive leadership, strategic leadership, and organizational leadership.
The Patsy H. Haslam School of Health Sciences offers undergraduate and graduate-level programs in health sciences and social work. The programs offered at the school include areas such as advanced diagnostic imaging, emergency medical services, health studies, medical coding and billing, and physician assistance.
The School of Nursing offers bachelor’s and master’s programs related to the different aspects of nursing such as nursing administration and education and nurse anesthesia. The School of Graduate Studies offers master’s programs in psychology, interdisciplinary studies, and criminal justice administration.
The programs and courses offered at the Mountain State University are delivered in various formats such as traditional classroom study, team learning, independent study, accelerated online study, and blended (online and classroom) format.
Most Popular Fields of Study
The top 5 fields of study completed at Mountain State University.
Mountain State University has an open-door admissions policy. To apply to Mountain State University, students are required to submit an application for admission, application fee, and an official high school transcript or GED test scores or home schooling documents. The SAT/ACT scores are not required unless it is a specific requirement for the program in which the student wants to apply. Transfer applicants should have attended a regionally accredited institution and need to get their transfer credits evaluated by Mountain State.
Students interested in non-degree programs are also required to submit their official transcripts from the high school/college last attended. International students are required to submit their application form for admission, original/attested transcripts, TOEFL/IELTS scores (if English is not their first language), and a statement from an institution showing availability of funds to finance the academic and living expenses.
Financial Aid
Mountain State University students can apply for various forms of financial aid to help them meet their academic expenses. Different forms of financial aid available to students at Mountain State include grants, scholarships, work-study employment, and student loans. Financial aid is either need-based or merit-based. To receive financial aid, students are required to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the U.S. Department of Education. The deadline for submitting the FAFSA to be eligible for state aid is March 1.
The different grant options available to Mountain State University students include Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Academic Competitiveness (AC) Grant, and National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant.
There are three federal loan options available to the students of Mountain State University. These include Federal Direct Loan (subsidized and unsubsidized), Federal PLUS Loan for parents of dependent students, and Federal Grad Plus Loan, available to graduate students.
Students can also receive work-study part-time employment options. International fellowships are available to students wherein international students can work part-time on the campus to meet their educational expenses.
The Mountain State University merit-based scholarships include Ambassador Scholarship, Presidential Scholarship, and Valedictorian Scholarship. The PROMISE (Providing Real Opportunities for Maximizing In-state Student Excellence) scholarship is available for students graduating from West Virginia schools.
Student Financial Aid Details
How many students use Financial Aid, and how much do they use?
Mountain State University 2275th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best West Virginia scholarships and financial aid
The Mountain State University encourages the development of a well-rounded personality and therefore provides numerous options to students to get involved in extracurricular activities. Students with musical talent can be a part of the MSU Pep band and the New River Area Concert band. The Career Center provides valuable career and job advice to students. The Robert C. Byrd Learning Resource Center features a library having numerous books and electronic resources. The campus police ensure the safety of the students. The MSU Cougar shop stores textbooks and merchandise such as apparels, athletic gear, electronics, and gifts and accessories.
There are two residence halls in the campus of the Mountain State University. The University hall offers accommodation to about 200 students with private rooms organized in four-room clusters. The Hogan Hall provides double rooms arranged in two-room suites. The residence halls have facilities such as wi-fi, group study areas, and balconies and common areas. The Cougar Den offers buffet-style meals.
Student Enrollment Demographics
How many students are enrolled at Mountain State University?
The Mountain State University participates in the NAIA Division I men’s basketball and soccer and women’s softball, volleyball and soccer. The women’s team won the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference volleyball title in 2007. Other university sports are cross country, track and field, and cheerleading. The sports teams of the Mountain State University are known as Cougars.
Bibliography
Mountain State University. Why MSU? Web. 25 July 2011.
Mountain State University. Quick Facts. Web. 25 July 2011.
Mountain State University. MSU Student Handbook. 2009. Print.
Demographics – Main Campus and Surrounding Areas
Reported area around or near Beckley, WV 25801-9003
Surrounding community
Distant town (between 10 to 35 mi. away from an urban cluster)
Feel free to add comments or additional information regarding Mountain State University, or discuss this school in the University Discussion Forum
4 months agosarabell
If I had my tens of thousands of dollars in tuition that I waste on this bullshit "education" I would rather toss it into my fireplace and heat my house rather than giving it to this scam of a University. Bottom line they accept anyone that can fill out an application. They will tell you just what you want to hear regarding your program and requirements as long as they get a tuition check. They will keep in the system as long as possible giving you a different response everytime you inquire about something....that is if you can get a hold of anyone. Even if you make it out alive and with a diploma it doesnt mean squat!
The nursing program is unaccredited leaving hundreds of students in debt up to their ears with a bullshit degree that wont get them a job. The rest of their programs are under review and most likely students already in the system will have to transfer most likely without their credits or else with a transcript marked unaccredited which means you will start from scratch.
I dont know how this place ever got their accredidation but hopefully they will get what is coming to them!! Dont be a sucker...they will sugarcoat everything but its all bogus!!
over 1 year agoWill foxtrotthree ((at)) hotmail dot com
This is a great school, my instructor is very competent and is always there when you need him. Everyone always wants to place the blame on instructors for their own lackluster performance. I will tell you that an instructor can only do so much, so, if you are a moron then you are totally out of luck. Don't come on here and try to deflect blame from yourself just to make yourself feel better and place it on the school and the instructors. There are bad instructors at any school, its just the way it is but blaming the school and every single one of the instructors is just plain idiotic.
over 1 year agoJohn Smith
Mountain State University sucks!
- Easy classes where you learn absolutely nothing
- Unqualified professors
- Unmotivated students
- Always rising tuition
- Unhelpful bureaucratic administration
- Boring little redneck town
- No social life
- No hot girls at all
- Zero effective help on getting a practicum
- As an alumni you would receive plenty of junk mail like: MSU credit card offers, MSU requests for donations, etc.
I deeply regret spending 4 years of my life at Mountain State University!
over 1 year agojohn
Does anyone know anything about the online criminal justice classes offered from Mountain State? Any good or a waste of time?
over 1 year agobrian
I couldnt disagree more...i like MSU and i think its a great little place to live. the town is small but has so much to offer. In the winter there is skiing and in the summer there is rafting. We can go out to movies or enjoy any restaurant we want. We feel safe here and i am glad i chose MSU. I play soccer for the school and am thinking about trying out for the basketball team...i checked with other schools (EKU) and the price is good at MSU. i love my instructors and they are always there when i need them...
almost 2 years agoThomas
I am a recent graduate of Mountain State University and have just decided to go back to earn my Master's degree. Its a phenomenal place to earn a degree. I had the option of taking my classes in seat, but i also picked up some classes online which was convenient and allowed me to work full time and attend school full time. The atmosphere is very caring and i feel as if my instructors really cared about my future. I would recommend it to anyone and i look forward to finishing my masters and possibly going into their PhD program.
about 2 years agoJessica
This University should NOT be attended by anyone. They are incompetent in every aspect. No one knows how to do thier job, most of the teachers are well below average. Not the mention, the price per credit hour is way to high for the poor education you receive.
The campus is surrounded by some pretty rough and violent neighborhoods. For example, just recently (Dec 09) a Mountain State University basketball player was shot 3 times outside of the university sports housing area, where he lived.
As for the sports, in my three years being here...never have they had any intumural sports teams other than the occasional inturmural dodge ball night. They have also taken away the women's softball program.
So I would definately NOT recommend this school to anyone. There are plenty of other schools that are much better and do not have such a high price tag.
over 2 years agoJoe Wilkes
This university is more interested in making a dollar than anything else. While visiting the area for an internship I decided to take a remaining science credit through this university. After signing up for the course the led me on until they finally admitted that they had never registered anyone for the course before and that they don't have any resources for the course. The grading for two other general requirements courses were incorrect and took a lot of work on my part to correct. Beware of this school, most of the faculty is sub par and the administration is incompetent!
over 4 years agoJennifer vistapl ((at)) bellsouth dot net
Mountain State University has added scholarship men's and women's soccer.
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If I had my tens of thousands of dollars in tuition that I waste on this bullshit "education" I would rather toss it into my fireplace and heat my house rather than giving it to this scam of a University. Bottom line they accept anyone that can fill out an application. They will tell you just what you want to hear regarding your program and requirements as long as they get a tuition check. They will keep in the system as long as possible giving you a different response everytime you inquire about something....that is if you can get a hold of anyone. Even if you make it out alive and with a diploma it doesnt mean squat! The nursing program is unaccredited leaving hundreds of students in debt up to their ears with a bullshit degree that wont get them a job. The rest of their programs are under review and most likely students already in the system will have to transfer most likely without their credits or else with a transcript marked unaccredited which means you will start from scratch. I dont know how this place ever got their accredidation but hopefully they will get what is coming to them!! Dont be a sucker...they will sugarcoat everything but its all bogus!!