West Virginia University

Extended Learning Program

Morgantown, West Virginia

DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAM

Extended Learning offers West Virginia University courses around the state and around the globe through off-campus programming and distance technology. Both undergraduate and graduate programs are offered online. Most students are adult learners, but many high school students have their first taste of college through WVU classes offered in their high schools. WVU has expanded into the noncredit field in its quest to meet the needs of all lifelong learners.

The Extended Learning Program's vision is to facilitate West Virginia University programming to state, regional, and global audiences. Extended Learning promotes a positive image of the University through public service activities, effective programming, and delivery of student services. The Extended Learning mission is to provide seamless access to academic courses, lifelong learning opportunities, student services, and library materials through a personalized yet convenient process. This service includes online registration and payment as well as online, multimedia, and/or technology-enhanced courses.

Extended Learning seeks to identify and satisfy the academic needs of adult learners by working with WVU's colleges and academic departments to offer courses at convenient times and locations as well as through accessible formats.

DELIVERY MEDIA

West Virginia University employs a variety of technologies to deliver high-quality degree programs. Classes may be taught via the Internet, IViN (a two-way interactive video system), and public television. Faculty members who teach these classes are committed to offering off-campus students the same high-quality experience that on-campus students receive. Courses are offered in high schools, colleges, and local business operations that are conveniently located around the state.

PROGRAMS OF STUDY

West Virginia University offers an expanding array of courses every semester. Undergraduate courses are especially popular with students in the Regents Bachelor of Arts program or those who have to be away from campus during the academic year.

Graduate degrees delivered via distance technology include the Master of Science (M.S.) in athletic coaching education, which allows students to complete most of their work online and spend only two weeks in the summer in Morgantown; the Executive M.B.A., which requires the completion of 48 credit hours; the M.S. in integrated marketing communications, which is taught exclusively online and provides students with the first-hand knowledge of industry experts; the Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.), a 44-credit program that can be completed in four semesters; the Master of Occupational Therapy (M.O.T.), which is offered online with on-site participation; the M.S. in physical education teacher education, a 36-credit program with both on-site and distance education components; the M.S. in rehabilitation counseling, designed for completion in two years; the Master of Science in Software Engineering (M.S.S.E.), which provides graduate-level software engineering expertise to individuals currently working in the computer and information technology industry or who have certain academic credentials; and the M.A. in special education, which prepares master-clinical teachers of children and adults with special needs.

Professional certificate programs include health-care administration, integrated marketing communications, and software engineering. An under-graduate degree via distance technology is the RN to B.S.N., which offers all courses online and is designed for completion in three semesters of full-time study.

West Virginia University (WVU) is a student-centered learning community meeting the changing needs of West Virginia and the nation through teaching, research, service, and technology. Among the University's core values are focus, teamwork, intensive communication, and character building. The University fosters a high-quality, holistic education on all of its campuses, and its graduate teaching programs and research efforts focus on excellence, impact, and reputation.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Distance technology enables off-campus students to design much of their own degrees through the Regents Bachelor of Arts (R.B.A.) program, a flexible degree for adults. R.B.A. students can earn credit though many online classes, with upper-division credits available in two online areas of emphasis. Students can design their own programs of study in the R.B.A. program.

High school students have the opportunity to take West Virginia University courses and earn college credit through the ACCESS program. Credit for course work taken is recorded on an official WVU transcript, which applies to a student's academic progress at WVU or may be transferred to other institutions of higher education.

STUDENT SERVICES

The WVU Career Services Center assists students in identifying meaningful career options and preparing them for the world of work. The center offers a variety of services for students at all levels of career development. The Office of Information Technology Support Services provides the OIT Help Desk, a support team that serves WVU students as well as faculty and staff members at all WVU campuses. Help Desk staff members are available to answer calls during normal WVU office hours and extended hours during evenings and weekends.

FACULTY

WVU professors are leaders in their fields who always have time to talk with their students—both on- and off-campus.

ADMISSION

Admission to West Virginia University is necessary to enroll in credit courses, including those offered through Extended Learning. An applicant may enroll as a graduate, a professional development student, an undergraduate, a high school student in the ACCESS program, or as a guest. To be considered for freshman admission, a student must successfully complete 4 units of English (including grammar, composition, and literature), 3 units of social studies (including U.S. history), 3 units of college preparatory mathematics (algebra I and II and plane geometry), and 3 units of science (2 of which must be laboratory science). More information about program-specific application requirements can be found online at the Extended Learning Program's Web site.

TUITION AND FEES

Tuition and fees vary depending on the college or program in which the student is enrolled as well as whether the student is a West Virginia resident. In the 2003–04 academic year, graduate tuition and fees for in-state residents ranged from $1782 to $3924 for 9 credit hours. Out-of-state graduate students paid between $5384 and $8531 for 9 credit hours. In-state undergraduate tuition and fees ranged between $1703 and $2081 for 12 credit hours, while out-of-state students paid between $5313 and $6465 for the same number of credit hours.

FINANCIAL AID

WVU students receive more than $164 million a year in grants, loans, work-study opportunities, fee waivers, and scholarships. Awards are based on financial need and academic ability. Determination of eligibility for financial aid is complex, but financial aid counselors are available to help students. Interested students should contact the WVU Financial Aid Office, toll free at 800-344-WVU1 or online at http://www.wvu.edu/~finaid/.

CONTACT

Extended Learning Program
West Virginia University
P.O. Box 6800
Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-6800
Telephone: 304-293-2834 800-2LEARN2 (toll-free)
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site: http://elearn.wvu.edu/

APPLYING

WVU has a rolling admissions policy, which means that applicants receive an admission decision within a few weeks after receipt of all required application materials. The Office of Admissions and Records begins the process of formally reviewing applications on September 15. The graduate degrees offered through Extended Learning require that students first be accepted into one of WVU's graduate programs. Students who have earned a baccalaureate degree may enroll in professional development courses by completing a registration form through Extended Learning and by paying an application fee. Professional development status is valid for only one semester. Criteria for undergraduate admission varies according to academic program. Advanced high school students may register for WVU courses through the ACCESS program. Prospective students may submit a guest application/registration form for enrollment in WVU Extended Learning undergraduate courses for one term of course work. Specific application procedures can be found online.