University of Charleston

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Studying Business at Charleston

The University of Charleston appears in our ranking of the Top 15 Doctorate in Leadership Online Programs.

The Herbert Jones School of Business & Leadership launched the Business Administration B.S. for University of Charleston undergrads to receive career-oriented training for today’s globalized economy. Directed by Dr. Kim Shin, the 120-credit, customized program offers majors for Sport Business, Cyber Security, Accounting, Financial Planning, Organizational Leadership, or General Business. Students can easily transfer from the 60-credit A.S. in Frontline Leadership. Courses like Quantitative Methods for Management have an engaging 14:1 student-faculty ratio in-seat in Charleston or online via Moodle. The Center for Career Development helps B.S. majors find cooperative education at employers, such as United Health, Mylan, Kroger, Murray Energy, and Cabell Huntington.

Boasting 100 percent job placement at graduation, the University of Charleston admits 16-month cohorts into the Online Master of Business Administration to deepen their strategic analysis skills. Chaired by Dr. Rick Ferris, the 32-credit, synchronous program has four hours of live WebEx meetings each week per eight-week session. Hybrid sections of MBA courses like Applied Marketing and Operations Management also meet at the Equities House on Tuesdays. Post-grads must spend 10 days enjoying international practicum from Ireland to China. The M.S. in Strategic Leadership is similarly online with tracks for Strategy as Practice, Crisis Leadership, Healthcare Management, and Business Management. Led by Dr. Ruth Wylie, the Doctor of Executive Leadership is another advanced, 58-credit online option needing just five days of residency yearly.

About the University of Charleston

The University of Charleston was originated in 1888 as Barboursville Seminary by the Methodist Episcopal Church South with an all-male first class of 25. Thirteen years later, West Virginia mining magnate Morris Harvey forgave the struggling seminary’s debt. Paired with Kanawha Junior College, it saw enrollment spike after World War I and gained independence by 1942. During Edwin Welch’s tenure, the University of Charleston name was adopted as the private, nonsectarian CIC member raised a $38 million endowment. Known for its “Learning Your Way” curriculum, UCWV has 135 full-time faculty teaching 2,425 Golden Eagles from 41 nations. Linked to 6,691 LinkedIn alumni, Charleston has trained Robert Byrd, Bill Bolling, Kristan Cunningham, and others at its 40-acre riverfront campus.

The U.S. News & World Report ranked UCWV the 78th best South university with one of the top 158 online graduate business programs nationally. On Niche, Charleston is America’s 318th most conservative college, 418th hardest school, and 496th most athletic campus. Times Higher Education placed the University of Charleston 482nd overall. The Princeton Review featured UCWV among its 140 “Best in the Southeast” picks. According to Washington Monthly, Charleston has the 100th most service participation and 172nd best value. WalletHub placed UCWV 139th for campus safety and 226th for student selectivity. College Factual applauded the University of Charleston for this country’s 276th most focused business program and 476th top accounting courses too.

University of Charleston Accreditation Details

In June 2019, the University of Charleston will undergo its next assurance review by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA) to retain the 10-year Level V accreditation under its 26th president, Dr. Martin S. Roth. Headquartered in Chicago, this 19-state regional accreditor is authorized by the U.S. Department of Education to determine Federal Title-IV eligibility for UCWV’s four associate, 24 baccalaureate, seven master’s, and two doctoral majors from Buckhannon to Wheeling and online. The Herbert Jones Division is also an Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) member seeking candidacy.

University of Charleston Application Requirements

Getting into the University of Charleston is labeled “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s because the Fall 2016 acceptance rate was 64 percent. First-year Golden Eagles drawn to the Business Administration B.S. must finish six semesters of high school with at least 15 college-prep units. Passing the official GED test with section scores above 500 is deemed equivalent. Academic commitment is judged by a minimum 2.25 GPA on the four-point scale, though the average is 3.37. Freshmen submit a mean SAT score of 1040 and ACT score of 22. Transfers with 12+ credits of accredited 100- and 200-level courses graded “C” are also welcomed. Starting the Charleston or Online MBA mandates a 3.0 bachelor’s average or greater and three years of experience. Core prerequisites include Accounting, Economics, and Statistics. The Doctor of Executive Leadership prefers master’s grads with 3.0 GPAs and minimum 450 GMAT scores.

The University of Charleston has a rolling admission policy, so apply anytime until three weeks before August and January cohort starts. Log into online accounts to submit the Universal Application or UCWV Application. Downloaded copies are accepted at 2300 MacCorkle Avenue SE in Charleston, WV 25304 too. Master of Business Administration entrants must schedule on-site or Skype interviews. If needed, assistance is available at (304) 357-4750 or admissions@ucwv.edu. The Herbert Jones School of Business & Leadership typically requests the following:

  • $25 application fee ($75 for doctorates)
  • Official school records for degrees/diplomas
  • Standardized tests from the past five years
  • Three or more professional recommendations
  • Résumé of relevant corporate experience
  • Completed personal skills assessment form
  • Discussion paper of 1,500 to 2,500 words

Tuition and Financial Aid

Business Administration B.S. majors pay fixed full-time tuition of $29,900 annually. University of Charleston undergrads budget $1,000 for fees, $1,800 for books, and $1,200 for transportation. Living at the West Virginia campus’ dorms like Brotherton Hall adds room and board of $9,180 per year. Annual bachelor’s attendance equals $44,480 on-campus and $35,100 off-campus with family. In Charleston, MBA students are billed $29,400. Online, the MBA and M.S. in Strategic Leadership charges $425 per credit or $250 per credit with a military discount. Pursuing the Doctor of Executive Leadership costs $700 per credit or $40,600 total.

According to the NCES College Navigator, 71 percent of full-time UCWV Golden Eagles receive median financial aid offers of $18,445 each for $23.03 million total yearly. Business majors can score institutional funds like the Welch Innovation Scholarship, Presidential Scholarship, Ambassador Scholarship, and West Virginia National Guard Scholarship. Employees of Scholarship America clients receive a 10 percent tuition reduction. Each April, the I-3 Day Showcase awards $20,000 in prize money. Those filing the FAFSA with code 003818 could win the Federal Pell Grant or FSEOG Grant. Mountain State natives often claim the Higher Education Grant, Promise Scholarship, or HEAPS Grant. The Federal Work-Study program offers campus jobs for 10-20 hours weekly. College Factual reports that University of Charleston students also borrow $6,482 on average from Stafford and Plus loans each year.

Learn more about the University of Charleston at the Herbert Jones School of Business & Leadership website.