West Chester University of Pennsylvania

west chester university accreditation

Degree Programs Available at West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester University of Pennsylvania appears in our ranking of 50 Great Affordable Colleges in the Northeast.

Earning a college degree is the best way to advance in a current career or move into a new career. Unfortunately, many working adults have difficulty attending traditional classes while others find it easier to learn in a regular classroom setting. West Chester University of Pennsylvania offers degree programs that are available in online, on-campus and hybrid versions that provide the flexibility students of today need to achieve their higher education goals.

West Chester University of Pennsylvania offers programs through the following colleges:

  • College of Arts and Humanities
  • College of Business and Public Management
  • College of Education and Social Work
  • College of Health Sciences
  • College of Science and Mathematics

Students may also choose programs at University College and the Wells School of Music.

The College of Art and Humanities offers a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Culture that is available on campus. The program is designed for those who wish to develop specialized expertise in media-related fields. Students are prepared to enter a wide range of fields in the global workforce such as media production, broadcasting, advertising, and social media. Some of the courses required for the degree include Intercultural Communication, Media Technology, Media Writing, and Mass Communication Research Methods. Students may also concentrate their studies in Culture, Production or Strategic Communication.

The College of Business and Public Management offers a Master of Business Administration that is available online, on-campus or in a hybrid version. Students gain an understanding of many business issues through a comprehensive curriculum. Students learn the skillsets necessary to manage and lead in almost any industry. They may also complete certificates in Entrepreneurship, Business Analytics and/or Project Management as part of the degree program. Courses that may be required include Strategic Cost Management, Financial Analysis and Valuation, Global Operations and Supply Chain Management as well as Components of Effective Leadership.

The College of Education and Social Work offers an Education Doctor in Policy, Planning, and Administration that is available on campus. The program is designed for those who wish to enter educational leadership. It is designed to equip practicing educators with knowledge and skills to conduct research while enhancing instructional skills. Students gain an understanding of applied research and research methods. They understand the process and usefulness of applied research in an educational environment, as well as how to enhance the capacity through strategic planning. Courses required may include Social and Ethical Foundations of Education Policy Research, Innovation in Curriculum Development and Evaluation as well as Educating All Students in a Diverse Society.

The College of Health Sciences offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice that is available mostly online. It is designed for the licensed practicing nurse with a graduate degree. The program offers an alternative to a research-focused doctorate. The first course must be taken on campus while the remainder of the program is offered online. The curriculum includes the science of nursing, leadership and practice, building on the traditional nursing master’s program. A capstone project is required in place of a dissertation.

The College of Science and Mathematics offers a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology that is available both on campus and online. The program focuses on four main areas of study which include archaeology, cultural anthropology, biological anthropology, and primatology. It also includes information on museum studies. Students complete projects that give them a hands-on understanding of anthropology. Students are able to concentrate their studies in Archaeology, Biological/Medical Anthropology, Museum Studies or Ethnographic Study. Some of the courses that may be required include Archaeological Field Techniques, Cultures of Ethnic Groups in America, Artifacts and Culture, Sustainable Food Systems as well as Magic, Religion, and Witchcraft.

About West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester University of Pennsylvania got its start as a private, state-aided school that provided programs from 1812 to 1869. As the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania began taking responsibility for public education, the academy, which remained privately owned but state-certified, was transformed to the West Chester Normal School with the goal of educating teachers. In 1913, the school became the first normal school to be owned completely by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

In 1927, the name of the school changed to the West Chester State Teachers College after it initiated a four-year program. It was renamed West Chester State College after liberal arts were added. In 1983, the school became West Chester University of Pennsylvania.

The North Campus quad is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is known as the West Chester State college Quadrangle Historic District. All but two of the buildings in the historic district were built using serpentine stone found in the local area. West Chester is well-known for its formal poetry program and the school hosts an annual conference on form and narrative in poetry.

West Chester University of Pennsylvania Accreditation Details

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The Commission is one of six regional accrediting agencies recognized by the United States Department of Education. Accreditation qualifies students at the University for federal financial assistance and is periodically reviewed by the Commission to confirm programs offered continue to meet the rigorous criteria the Commission has determined indicate excellence in education. In addition, programs throughout the University are accredited by the following organizations:

  • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
  • Accreditation Council for Education and Nutrition and Dietetics
  • American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
  • Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
  • Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
  • Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
  • Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
  • Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
  • Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
  • Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech Pathology
  • Council on Education for Public Health
  • Council on Social Work Education
  • Forensic Science Education Program Accreditation Commission
  • National Association of Schools of Art and Design
  • National Association of Schools of Music
  • National Association of Schools of Theatre
  • National Environmental Health Sciences and Protection Accreditation Council
  • Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration

West Chester University of Pennsylvania Application Requirements

Applicants to the Bachelor of Arts in Media and Culture or the Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology must hold a high school diploma and must provide official high school transcripts as well as official SAT or ACT scores. Applicants who have earned college credit after high school graduation must provide official transcripts from all schools attended. They must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0. Special consideration is given to graduates of Pennsylvania community colleges.

Applicants to the Master of Business Administration program must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university. They must provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Official GRE or GMAT scores are also required along with an essay, current resume and three letters of recommendation.

Those who wish to apply to the Education Doctor in Policy, Planning and Administration must provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. They must submit a written statement of professional goals as well as three letters of recommendation. Official GRE or GMAT scores must be provided along with a current resume. Applicants must hold a master’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university. A sample or the applicant’s professional writing must also be submitted. An on campus interview is also required.

Applicants to the Doctor of Nursing Practice must hold a master’s degree in nursing from an accredited college or university. They must be certified by a nationally recognized agency, such as ANCC or AANP. Nurse Educators must hold the credential of Certified Nurse Educator. Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be provided. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 in their master’s level studies. An official copy of the applicant’s nursing license must be provided along with two letters of recommendation. A telephone or in-person interview is also required.

West Chester University of Pennsylvania Tuition and Financial Aid

Undergraduate tuition is $434.80 per credit hour for Pennsylvania residents and $927.80 for non-residents. Graduate tuition for residents is $670.46 per credit hour and $940.46 per credit hour for non-residents. The MBA program is $703 per credit hour for residents and $726.50 for non-residents. Tuition for the Doctor of Public Administration is $878.55 per credit hour for residents and $905.50 for non-residents.

Financial aid is available and students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify. The FAFSA must be completed annually. Undergraduate students may be offered grants, scholarships or loans to cover the cost of tuition. Those attending on campus may also be offered work-study programs. Graduate students may only be offered loans as part of the financial aid package but may seek scholarships or grants on their own.

West Chester University of Pennsylvania offers both online and on campus programs designed to offer the flexibility often needed by working adults who may have work, social or family obligations that prevent them from attending traditional classes.