Shepherd University (SU) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

If you are searching for a top state school, then Shepherd University (or simply “Shepherd”) is among the top rated state schools in the county. Shepherd University is West Virginia’s public liberal arts university with various communities of knowledge seekers and a doorway to the universe of ideas and of course, opportunities. Shepherd University is THE regional centre for a top quality academic, economic and rich cultural opportunity. This school’s mission of service is successful because they are totally committed to their five core values which are:

Learning

Engagement

Integrity

Accessibility

Community

Shepherd University is dedicated to pure excellence, which is why it embraces the five aforementioned core values.

This institution of higher learning is known for creating a community of knowledge seekers who incorporate their lives with; teaching, learning and scholarship. As part of their strategy to create challenging and useful experiences, within and outside the classrooms, Shepherd University frequently evaluates student learning. The University totally recognizes and permits various learning styles and views for universal understanding.

The University promotes settings where students, staff members, members of the community and the faculty connect with one another in order to form a relationship that is mutually beneficial. Shepherd University believes that a meaningful connection, and new ideas, will help to successfully promote deep learning and will nurture critical thought.

The University makes every effort to have an environment that breeds honesty and fairness in all of its actions. The officials at Shepherd University seek input from not just the faculty and staff, but also from students in order to make well informed and unbiased decisions.

Shepherd University also provides service to each eligible student. The school’s staff and faculty are made available to every student. The school is dedicated to meeting and respecting individual requirements.

The University consists of a community that includes undergraduates, staff members, alumni, faculty and other citizens. The school meets the requirements of this community via development, evaluation and implementing innovative programs and projects.

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Information Summary

Ranks 8th in West Virginia and 1259th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	76.8
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$21,903
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	23 / 1160
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	19 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	69% / 50%
Enrollment Total (all students)	3,648

Academics

Governor Bob Wise, in 2004, signed legislation which officially changed Shepherd College to Shepherd University.

Shepherd University is a school that is state-supported within the higher education system in West Virginia. For more than 130 years, when this school first became an entity (it was founded in 1871), Shepherd University has advanced into a highly respected centre of higher learning, which serves numerous but distinct roles.

Shepherd University offers students the opportunity to earn baccalaureate degrees in a variety of fields, which encompass business admin, the liberal arts, teacher education, and different career-oriented areas.

The school offers credit programs for people who may not be seeking to earn a particular degree, but seek to simply expand and bring their knowledge up to date, in either totally new or familiar fields of academic undertaking

For the entire Northern Shenandoah Valley region, Shepherd University is the centre for the following:

Non-credit continuing education

Suitable citizen access to a wide variety of programs in theater, music, athletics, art and other areas of community interests

Public Service

The University believes that it has a strong responsibility to extend its resources way beyond the university grounds, thus bringing higher learning a whole lot closer to people who seek knowledge.

Shepherd University also offers credit granting distance learning programs. Students, who are interested in earning their degree online, should note that Shepherd University does not offer online-only degree programs.

Shepherd University provides disability services as well, so make sure to make enquires, if you need to.

Accreditation

Shepherd University is an accredited school. It has received accreditation by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. The school’s individual programs are accredited by the following:

The National Association of Schools of Music

The Council on Social Work Education

The International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education

The West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Registered Nurses

The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education

The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission

Rankings

Shepherd University was named West Virginia’s top ranking public baccalaureate school for the second year. This has earned the school the 40th position among the South’s Best Baccalaureate Colleges in the America’s Best Colleges, (2010 edition), a publication which is published by the Unites States News Media Group.

Location

The University is located in West Virginia’s historic Shepherdstown in the Shenandoah Valley, right on the Potomac River banks. Benefits that are directly related to the University’s location are guest lecturers and performers, career opportunities, internships and field trips.

Shepherd University is home to the following:

George Tyler More Centre for the Study of the Civil War

Appalachian Heritage Writer in Residence Program

Performing Arts Series at Shepherd (PASS)

Contemporary American Theater Festival (CATF)

Facilities

In the last 20 years, the University has added eleven new buildings; this includes the 9 million dollar Robert C. Byrd Science & Technology Centre. The famous Scarborough Library has also received an 18 billion dollar addition – the Scarborough Library, which is also the home of the Robert C. Byrd Centre for Legislative Studies.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

As a student at Shepherd University, you can expect a curriculum that is specifically tailored to suit your needs. All students can expect to receive a world class education from the school’s dedicated faculty and from experts in their fields, who provide them with helpful insights and advanced techniques that will give them the competitive edge that they need to stand out in today’s marketplace. Whether you are applying for full time or part time, you will definitely have much more flexibility in your class programme, with a lot of your courses offered on weekends and in the evenings. Shepherd University’s tuition fees are among the most affordable in the region.

Students will need to take the following steps in completing their Shepherd’s application form:

The application is needed for all students seeking to earn a degree, whether or not they are interested in full or part time studies

Students are required to pay a non-refundable application fee before their application can be processed. Students should send a check or money order made payable to “Shepherd University” to the Office of Graduate Admissions with the application form

All applicants who are applying for the Curriculum & Instruction course should be a certified teacher and should also provide valid documents of certification with their application

Applicants who wish to gain admission to full graduate status at Shepherd must be a baccalaureate degree holder from an institution that is regionally accredited with at least a CGPA of 2.75. The students who don’t meet these requirements may receive provisional admission at the discretion of the school’s Graduate Coordinator.

Financial Aid

Students who cannot afford to pay for their education at an institution of higher learning can achieve their dreams of getting a top quality education through financial aid programs offered by Shepherd University. The financial aid programs at Shepherd’s are Grants, Loans, Scholarships and Student Employment.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 4072nd for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in West Virginia.

Students

Shepherd University offers quality residence halls that are more than just a place for students to store their personal belongings or to lay their weary heads after a long day of learning. The eight (8) residence halls in Shepherd University are:

Birch & Maple Apartments

Turner Hall

Kenamond Hall

Shaw Hall

Gardiner Hall

Miller Hall

Thacher Hall

West Woods Complex

At the residence halls, students have the opportunity make life-long friends, learn new things and expand their horizons.

Shepherd University provides various kinds of student services, which includes health services. The University offers Campus Safety & Security Services, such as; 24/7 emergency phones, student patrols, 24/7 foot and car patrols, lighted sidewalks/pathways, late night transportation/escort service and there is also controlled dorm access.

A good number of students have their cars on campus. At Shepherd University, alcohol consumption is allowed for students who are of legal age.

Sororities & Fraternities

The sororities at Shepherd University are: Alpha Sigma Tau, Delta Zeta and Sigma Sigma Sigma. The Fraternities at Shepherd University are: Lambda Chi Alpha, Phi Kappa Tau, Tau Kappa Epsilon and Theta Xi. There are also many other interesting organizations and clubs at Shepherd University that students can join and make lasting friendships and impact their environment positively.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

Shepherd University offers twelve National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II sports which include baseball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, softball, golf, football, men’s tennis, women’s tennis, men’s soccer, women’s soccer and women’s lacrosse. “Rams” is the mascot for Shepherd University.

The Rams cheerleading squad, dance team and marching band, help to promote team spirit at the school’s home games.

The Shepherd Rams’ first appearance in the NCAA playoffs was made in 1998; in the first round of the playoffs, they ended up beating Indiana University PA 9-7 before they lost in the second round to Slippery Rock. In 1999, Shepherd University made it to the playoffs but they lost in the second round to Millersville.

For four consecutive years (2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007), the Shepherd University’s football team won West Virginia intercollegiate Athletic (WVIAC) Championship. In 2005, the team made an appearance in the national playoffs, but lost in the second round to CW Post. In 2006, in the team’s first ever home playoff game, they reached the third round, but lost to Bloomsburg – but they ranked fifth in the country. In 2007, the team reached the quarterfinals but lost to California. The Ram Stadium is where all the home games are played.

In 2010, the Rams won the WVIAC crown again. The team earned a bid in the NCAA Division II playoffs. In the first round, they beat Shaw University and in the second round, they beat Kutztown University and in the third round, they defeated Mercyhurst. Shepherd University became the very first WVIAC team to make it to the national semi-finals. In a national broadcast, the Shepherd Rams lost a really close game to Delta State University. In several polls, the Rams finished in the top 10.

Additional School Information

There are lots and lots of events that students can attend. You can check out fun activities to do and fun events to attend at Program Board

Program Board is a student organization at Shepherd. They organize events such as Late Night, Shepfest, Waffle Day and other fun activities. There is always an event to attend at Shepherd…at least once each week.

Bibliography

U.S.News. “Shepherd University Student Life.” 2009.

Shepherd University website. “Undergraduate.” 2011

Program Board. “Events.” 14 April, 2011.

Shepherd University