University Profile
Shepherd University Location Shepherdstown is a town with a cosmopolitan air, where you ll find a variety of restaurants, plenty of meeting places, and lots to do. Just 90 minutes from Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland, Shepherdstown has the advantage of historic sites and outdoor recreation in our own backyard. Faculty and students capitalize on all these resources to make the most of the Shepherd experience. The University hosts several opportunities throughout the year for students to explore the region and try new things. Partnering with prestigious businesses for internship and employment opportunities for students and alumni provides value to the Shepherd community and the region. Shepherdstown is a great environment where our students can flourish.
Preparing Students for the Future Preparation Shepherd University s core values, with an emphasis on learning, engagement, integrity, accessibility, and community, provide students with the skills needed to thrive in today s ever-evolving global work environment. Shepherd plays a vital role in the economic development of the surrounding counties, state, and region by preparing students for the careers of today and the changes tomorrow will bring. Fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) with additional accreditation in professional programs, such as business, education, music, nursing, and social work A liberal arts education with outcomes and skills desired by employers (LEAP) 120-credit undergraduate degree programs A flexible core curriculum students can tailor to their interests Opportunities for collaborative work, service learning, and study abroad Internship and co-op experiences Graduate degree programs Lifelong learning and certification for licensed professionals and adult learners
Milestones SU Reaccredited for 10 Years by HLC In March of 2012, Shepherd met all five criteria for accreditation and is reaffirmed for the maximum time period of 10 years by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), one of the six regional agencies that accredit U.S. colleges and universities at the institutional level. SU Accepted as Member of COPLAC In 2009, Shepherd was accepted into the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC). SU Recognized by Princeton Review For the eighth year, Shepherd was named one of the best colleges and universities in the southeast, according to the Princeton Review s website. SU Named to Presidential Community Service Honor Roll For the sixth year in a row, the Corporation for National and Community Service and the U.S. Department of Education honored Shepherd among the nation s leading colleges and universities for its commitment to community service and service learning. Facilities Over the last decade, Shepherd has committed to upgrading its physical plant and facilities with nearly $130 million invested in capital projects. The Center for Contemporary Arts II: A $14 million facility which contains classrooms, a theater, scene and prop shop, and an art gallery, opened in spring 2013. Pedestrian Underpass: The construction of the $5.65 million pedestrian underpass connecting East and West Campus began in spring 2012 and opened in January 2013. Martinsburg Center: Located in Martinsburg, West Virginia, the $2.5 milllion facility, which provides quality, affordable higher education opportunities for working adult students, opened July 2013. Wellness Center: The $21.6 million Wellness Center, which contains a swimming pool, an indoor track, an arena, racquetball courts, fitness area, and multi-purpose rooms, was dedicated in 2009.
Future Value Shepherd s Public Liberal Arts Education COPLAC Established in 1987 and now consisting of 27 colleges and universities in 24 states and one Canadian province, the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) represents a distinguished sector in higher education. In 2009, Shepherd University was accepted as a member of COPLAC, an honor usually reserved for one institution per state. The COPLAC designation represents Shepherd s focus on traditional liberal arts disciplines; opportunities for student and faculty interaction; a critical mass of students in a residential environment; student participation in co-curricular activities such as band, campus newspaper and radio, theater, and debate; and a clear commitment to cultural diversity. A Flexible Curriculum that Prepares for the Future 120-credit Undergraduate Degree Programs Responding to calls nationally to enhance student access and success, Shepherd University led the way in the state of West Virginia with its move to the national standard of 120 credits for undergraduate degree programs. This change makes graduation in four years a greater possibility, reduces tuition costs, and makes for an easier transfer process for the community college student. Innovative Core Curriculum Shepherd s multi-tiered core curriculum reflects skills and competencies practiced across multiple disciplines, at everdeepening levels (100-400 level courses), with connections to the student s major field of study. Included for every student is a first-year experience course, a writing intensive course within the major, and a senior capstone course. Students choose from a variety of courses to meet intended student outcomes and LEAP goals. Additional opportunities exist through learning communities and the Common Reading Program. LEAP Student Outcomes As part of its continuing commitment to student learning and success, Shepherd University has adopted the LEAP (Liberal Education America s Promise) outcomes developed by the American Association of Colleges and Universities (www. aacu.org/leap/vision.cfm), of which Shepherd University is a member. These essential learning outcomes provide a new framework to guide students cumulative progress through college. The aim of the LEAP Intended Student Outcomes is for students to develop these skills at continuing and successively higher levels across their college studies. The four broad-based goals are below: Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Physical and Natural World Intellectual and Practical Skills Personal and Social Responsibility Integrative and Applied Learning
At Shepherd University we have, together, created a learning environment that is both high quality and affordable. Tuition Costs Shepherd University is affordable. Our tuition and fees are among the lowest in the nation and we raise tuition and fees only as it is necessary to deliver a high quality educational experience. At $6,570 for in-state tuition, Shepherd s annual tuition and fee rate this year is well below the national average in-state tuition and fee rate of $8,893, according to College Board, charged by other public universities. Student Debt Twenty eight percent of Shepherd students do not borrow to attend Shepherd. The average debt carried by 2013 graduates was $7,800 less than the national average. Only approximately 72 percent of our degreeseeking students borrow and those that do demonstrate a good ability to pay back their student loans. Controlling Costs The single most important factor in controlling college costs comes from reducing time to graduation. Shepherd was the first university in West Virginia to adopt a 120 credit hour standard for all undergraduate degrees. Students who complete 15 credits of the prescribed curriculum per semester will graduate in four years with the same high standards for which Shepherd University has become known.
Facts and Figures Shepherd Profile 2014-15 Founded...1871 Mascot...Ram Undergraduate Enrollment...3,776 Degree-seeking...3,489 Graduate Enrollment...265 Degree-seeking...183 Full-time Students... 77% West Virginia Residents... 60% Female... 59% First-to-Second Year Retention... 68% Six-Year Graduation Rate... 40% On-Campus Residents... 29% Tenure/Tenure-Track Faculty...139 Total Faculty...363 Student Faculty Ratio...16:1 Shepherd Snapshot 2014-15 Undergraduate In-State Tuition/Fees*...$6,570 Undergraduate Out-of-State Tuition/Fees*...$16,628 *(per year) Graduate In-State Tuition/Fees*...$399 Graduate Out-of-State Tuition/Fees*...$569 *(per credit hour) Avg. Room and Board (per year)...$10,024 State Appropriations...$9.7M Headcount...4,041 Average Freshman GPA...3.33 Average Freshman ACT...21 Average Freshman SAT...994 Number of Major Buildings...43 Undergraduate Academic Programs...75 Graduate Degree Programs...4 General Fund Operating Budget...$60.0M Value of Endowment...$25.4M Sports Teams...12 *Source: SU Institutional Research Office, WV HEPC, IPEDS
Intended student outcomes are achieved through many pathways including experiential learning, beginning with the first-year experience and concluding with a capstone. Experience Students tell us they find new passions at Shepherd both inside and outside of the classroom. It may mean taking courses outside a major as part of the core curriculum or joining a weekend trip to museums in D.C. Students find ample opportunities to discover new and surprising interests. Students are able to experience new worlds and viewpoints about which they may not have previously known. Some of these subjects may not interest students long-term, and that s okay. Part of the process of personal and academic growth is realizing your interests and strengths and then making the most of them. This is why Shepherd students build happy and productive careers. Shepherd students want to make a difference in the world around them. Any day, somewhere on campus a music student is providing free lessons, someone on campus is preparing for the next Contemporary American Theater Festival, and one of our NCAA Division II teams is celebrating a win. In various forms, student leadership and service learning activities are a vital component of the Shepherd experience, providing interactions that build self-realization, confidence, leadership, teamwork, and negotiation skills. The advantage of the Shepherd experience comes as students encounter an ever-changing world upon graduation. They have developed a breadth of knowledge through the liberal arts. They have developed the depth of a knowledge through a professional major. And they have applied this knowledge through their capstone, service and leadership experience. The Shepherd graduate is well-equipped to succeed in a chosen career or profession, and is able to adapt and flourish with integrity.
Programs of Distinction In recognition of its proven commitment to keep the University s goals at the forefront of departmental goals, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (WVHEPC) has approved the following as Programs of Distinction at Shepherd: Contemporary Art and Theater Music Social Work These distinctive programs highlight Shepherd s commitment to academic excellence and community engagement. Students and faculty provide cultural and intellectual capital that enriches the community while creating opportunities for their own learning and exploration. - Dr. Christopher Ames, Vice President for Academic Affairs
More than 90 majors offered in 27 degree programs. Challenging academic courses and excellent faculty. Small class sizes with the opportunity for more personalized education for the serious students.
Academic Programs Undergraduate Natural Sciences and Mathematics Biology Chemistry Computer Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering Institute of Environmental and Physical Sciences (Environmental Studies, Astronomy, Physics, and Science Education) Arts and Humanities Contemporary Art and Theater English and Modern Languages History Mass Communication Music Business and Social Sciences Accounting Business Administration and FACS Economics and Finance Political Science Psychology Social Work Sociology and Geography Education and Professional Studies Education Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Sport Nursing Education Current Graduate Programs Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction Master of Arts in Teaching Master of Arts in College Student Development and Administration Master of Business Administration Graduate Certificate Program in Appalachian Studies Graduate
Graduate Studies and Continuing Education An educated workforce is essential to keep pace with an increasingly competitive and knowledge-driven global economy and workplace. Graduate Studies at Shepherd University is designed to complement undergraduate study by providing advanced degrees with a strong emphasis on career preparation. Our graduate programs have been carefully selected in response to the career goals of area students and the needs of our state and region for highly-qualified employees. A 2012 national study by the Association of State Higher Education Executive Officers (SHEEO) shows that without exception, each successive level of higher educational attainment yields additional economic benefit. According to the analysis, those with a graduate degree have a median income of $68,064, 35.2 percent more than those with a bachelor s degree. Graduate courses are offered with the adult learner in mind, with options during the evening hours. Many courses utilize a partial online/hybrid format, in addition to traditional face-to-face instruction. A number of courses are in a part of term or eight-week format, allowing students to complete their degree expediently. The Division of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education also offers recertification and continuing education courses for teachers and other professionals. These courses are designed to enhance the knowledge, skills, and abilities for professionals in a local, national, and global educational environment as well as those who are seeking career enhancement. Enhancing Your Career Potential
Martinsburg Center The Shepherd University Martinsburg Center, conveniently located off of Edwin Miller Boulevard, opened its doors to students in August 2013. The center has experienced great successes in meeting the Eastern Panhandle s need for quality, affordable, and convenient degree completion and continuing education offerings. Through more than 30 partnerships with regional businesses, employees of these companies receive significant tuition discounts through the Strategic Alliance program. For more information, visit www.martinsburgcenter.info or call 304-283-3303. Faculty Research Shepherd University actively pursues external grant funding from many types of public and private sources. From 2007 to 2014, 60 faculty and/or staff members at Shepherd University received 133 grants totaling over $8.6 million. Some examples of recent grants include: $1.1 million in student support services for student learning and retention. $1 million to foster nursing workforce diversity. $224,000 to develop a mathematical research model for chemotherapy administration. $180,000 to increase preparedness and number of students pursuing graduate STEM training. $165,000 to support social work education and training. $100,000 for student research in robotics. $99,000 to conduct a summer workshop for school teachers on Appalachian culture and literature. $81,000 to promote undergraduate research in science. $26,000 to purchase an advanced gel imaging and analysis system for scientific research. $20,000 to purchase a multimode microplate reader for biology research. $20,000 to purchase a Hadoop computer cluster for big data analysis. $20,000 to purchase a thermal gravimetric analyzer for chemistry research. $18,000 to purchase a high performance liquid chromatography machine for electrochemical studies. $15,000 to sponsor a conference on alternative energy use. $10,000 to study Langmuir monolayers for nanotechnology applications. $10,000 to promote cultural diversity programming for students. $6,000 to develop an oral history of soldiers and students in Shepherdstown. $5,000 to develop a traveling exhibit of artifacts of the late Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia.
Strategic Plan Currents: Navigating with purpose Pathway 1 Inspire Student Learning and Development Pathway 2 Optimize Potential of Faculty and Staff Pathway 3 Create a Beautiful and Welcoming Campus Pathway 4 Stimulate the Cultural and Economic Development of the Region Accreditation Shepherd University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org, phone 312-263-0456. Individual programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, the National Association of Schools of Music, the West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Registered Nurses, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, and the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education. Mission and Vision Shepherd University, a West Virginia public liberal arts university, is a diverse community of learners and a gateway to the world of opportunities and ideas. We are the regional center for academic, cultural, and economic opportunity. Our mission of service succeeds because we are dedicated to our core values: learning, engagement, integrity, accessibility, and community. Shepherd: A Premier Liberal Arts University We will be a nationally respected community of learners where passion, purpose, and experience unite to inspire individuals to shape the world.
Shepherd University s Fight Song Fight on and win again for old SU Brave men and women of the gold and blue Go Shepherd! Our alma mater now depends on you so Fight on and win again for our SU!
Shepherd University P.O. Box 5000 Shepherdstown, WV 25443-5000 Phone: 304-876-5009 800-344-5231