| Mountain State University | |
|---|---|
| Established | 1933 |
| Type | Private University |
| President | Charles H. Polk |
| Students |
4,890[1] faculty = 97 Full-Time; 335 Part-Time |
| Location | Beckley, West Virginia, United States |
| Athletics | Cougars |
| Colors | Blue and Silver |
| Website | www.mountainstate.edu |
Mountain State University (MSU) is a private nonsectarian university based in Beckley, West Virginia, United States. The university offers undergraduate and master's degree programs, as well as a doctoral degree program. Most of the university's programs focus on the professions in business, technology, and health and human services. Many of MSU's degree programs such as Accounting, Legal Studies, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Leadership, Psychology, and Information Technology are available online.
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The university was founded in 1933 as Beckley College, a junior college, and continued as such until 1991, when it achieved four-year status and was renamed The College of West Virginia. In 2001, the school was renamed Mountain State University.
In 2010, MSU acquired the Martinsburg Mall from a bankruptcy proceeding for $11 million in cash. The university uses vacant space inside the mall to create an integrated learning center.[2]
The student-faculty ratio at Mountain State University is 13:1.[3] Alcohol is not permitted for students of legal age on campus.[4] The 2011-12 annual tuition is $9,480.[5] All freshmen and sophomores are required to live on the school’s campus in Beckley, unless they commute from a parent’s home, are married, or have children.[6]
Mountain State University was ranked Tier 2 in 2011 by Best Colleges is Regional Universities (South).[7]
Mountain State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.[8] In June 2011, the Higher Learning Commission issued a show-cause order giving Mountain State until December 2011 to demonstrate why it should not have its regional accreditation revoked. The show-cause order cited issues with monitoring of student progress, governance, and availability of resources. Following an on-site review in early 2012, a final decision will be made on continuation of accreditation in June 2012.[9] [10] Any accreditation decision made by The Higher Learning Commission will not apply retroactively.
On March 30, 2011, Mountain State University's Bachelor of Science program in Nursing lost its national accreditation from the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.[11] At least two lawsuits were filed against MSU by former Nursing students as a result.[12][13] Mountain State sought but was denied alternative accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. [14][15] The undergraduate nursing program is provisionally accredited by the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses for existing students, but it was barred from accepting new students after November 12, 2010 pending resolution of noted deficiences.[16]
Mountain State's master's degree program in nursing remains accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.[17]
MSU's Physician Assistant Program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) until March 2017.[18] MSU's Occupational Therapy Assistant program is accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association.[19] The university's Diagnostic Medical Sonography program, as well as its Medical Assisting program are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.[20]
MSU's Radiologic Technology program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.[21] The university's class of 2010 boasted a 100 percent first-time pass rate on the national board certification exam.[22]
Mountain State University's Culinary Arts program is accredited by the American Culinary Federation.[23] The Social Work program at Mountain State University is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.[24]
From 2002 to 2010, Mountain State University operated a private college preparatory high school known as Mountain State Academy in Beckley, West Virginia. Due to ongoing financial losses, the school was permanently closed in August 2010.[25]
In sports, the school competes as a member of the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in the NAIA with men's basketball, women's volleyball, men's and women's soccer teams. Track and Cross Country was added for the 2008-2009 season. Its teams are nicknamed the "Cougars."
In 2003, Mountain State was the National Runner-Up. MSU won the 2004 Men's Division I NAIA national basketball championship.[26] Additionally, the Cougars were the National Runner-Up for 2008.
In 2007, the women's volleyball team won the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference volleyball title.
In addition to its main campus in Beckley, MSU has five branch campuses:
MSU also maintains educational sites in Charleston, West Virginia, and Hickory, North Carolina.
Mountain State University's President, Dr. Charles H. Polk, received over $1.8 million in compensation in 2009 according to one source. Such compensation is in excess of more than three times of that of West Virginia University President Jim Clements' $550,000 salary for 2011-2012.[27] However, according to Dr. Jerry Ice, chairman of the Mountain State University Board of Trustees, Dr. Polk's actual 2009 salary was $450,000. According to Ice, Polk's compensation included a one-time deferred retirement package that was established in 2004 by Mountain State University's Board of Trustees. Ice stated that the retirement package was required to pay out in 2009. Moreover, the Board of Trustees also purchased a $2 million insurance policy on Polk that will be paid back to the institution upon his death.[28] However, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education, both in 2009 and in prior years, Polk was among the nation’s highest-paid presidents relative to budget.[29]