- Mountain State University
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Mountain State University 
Established 1933 Type Private University President Charles H. Polk Academic staff 97 Full-Time; 335 Part-Time[1] Students 9,158 (Fall 2009)[1] Location Beckley, West Virginia, United States Athletics Cougars Colors Blue and Silver Website www.mountainstate.edu Mountain State University (MSU) is an 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.
Contents
History
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]
Academics
Mountain State University has a 100 percent acceptance rate and was ranked Tier 2 in 2011 by Best Colleges is Regional Universities (South).[3] The university was recently ranked by Washington Monthly magazine as the 23rd Worst "dropout factory" in the United States for 2010. Such ranking was based on the university's 13 percent graduation rate.[4]
Accreditation
General
Mountain State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.[5] 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.[6] [7] Any accreditation decision made by The Higher Learning Commission will not apply retroactively.
Nursing
On March 30, 2011, Mountain State University's Bachelor of Science program in Nursing lost its national accreditation by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.[8] At least two lawsuits have been filed against MSU by former Nursing students.[9] [10] The university's master's degree program in Nursing remains accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.[11] Mountain State is seeking alternative accreditation for its Bachelor's degree program in Nursing from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.[12] The university's Nursing program is provisionally accredited by the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses as of November 12, 2010.[13] On May 23, 2011, it was announced that Mountain State University would be closing its nurse anesthesia concentration of its Master of Science in Nursing program effective October 16, 2011 in compliance with the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs (COA) policy.[14]
Other medical programs
MSU's Physician Assistant Program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) until March 2017.[15] The Radiologic Technology program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.[16] MSU's Occupational Therapy Assistant program is accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association.[17] 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.[18]
Other majors
Mountain State University's Culinary Arts program is accredited by the American Culinary Federation.[19] The Social Work program at Mountain State University is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.[20]
Mountain State Academy
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.[21]
Compensation of President
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.[22] 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.[23]
Athletics
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."
Men's Basketball
In 2003, Mountain State was the National Runner-Up. MSU won the 2004 Men's Division I NAIA national basketball championship.[24] Additionally, the Cougars were the National Runner-Up for 2008.
Women's Volleyball
In 2007, the women's volleyball team won the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference volleyball title.
Branch campuses
In addition to its main campus in Beckley, MSU has five branch campuses:
- MSU Center Township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania
- MSU Martinsburg, Martinsburg, West Virginia
- MSU Orlando, Altamonte Springs, Florida
- MSU Mooresville, Mooresville, North Carolina
- MSU Washington D.C., Washington, D.C.
MSU also maintains educational sites in Charleston, West Virginia, and Hickory, North Carolina.
References
- ^ a b "Quick Facts". Mountain State University. http://www.mountainstate.edu/aboutmsu/facts/default.aspx. Retrieved April 12, 2011.
- ^ Mountain State University Buys Martinsburg Mall With Eyes on Expansion
- ^ http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/mountain-state-university-3807
- ^ http://wvgazette.com/News/201107301504
- ^ http://www.ncahlc.org
- ^ Antolini, Carl (July 9, 2011). "Accreditation jeopardized by nursing program troubles". The Register-Herald (Beckley, West Virginia). http://www.register-herald.com/todaysfrontpage/x66807928/Accreditation-jeopardized-by-nursing-program-troubles. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
- ^ "Public Disclosure Notice for an Institution Under a Show-Cause Order: Mountain State University". Higher Learning Commission. June 23, 2011. http://www.mountainstate.edu/aboutmsu/facts/accreditation/Show%20Cause%20Order.pdf. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
- ^ http://www.mountainstate.edu/nursing/letter-from-dean.aspx
- ^ Kuykendall, Taylor (April 7, 2011). "Student files suit against MSU". The Register-Herald (Beckley, West Virginia). http://www.register-herald.com/todaysfrontpage/x1281104392/Student-files-suit-against-MSU. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
- ^ http://www.register-herald.com/todaysfrontpage/x1227512684/Former-nurse-anesthesia-student-at-MSU-files-lawsuit
- ^ http://www.nlnac.org
- ^ http://www.aacn.nche.edu/CCNE/reports/rptNewApplicants.asp?state=WV&sFullName=West%20Virginia&sProgramType=1
- ^ http://www.wvrnboard.com/images/MSU%20LTR%2011.12.2010.pdf
- ^ http://www.mountainstate.edu/nursing/message-regarding-crna-program.aspx
- ^ http://www.arc-pa.org/acc_programs/
- ^ http://www.jrcert.org/
- ^ http://www.aota.org/default.aspx/
- ^ http://www.caahep.org/
- ^ http://www.acfchefs.org/
- ^ http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation/organizations/18409.aspx/
- ^ "The Academy". Mountain State University. August 5, 2010. http://www.mountainstate.edu/academy/. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
- ^ http://wvgazette.com/News/201107301504
- ^ http://www.register-herald.com/todaysfrontpage/x2134984483/MSU-trustees-respond-to-questions-of-compensation
- ^ SU Wins NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championship
External links
Colleges and universities in West Virginia Public Bluefield State College • Concord University • Fairmont State University • Glenville State College • Marshall University • Shepherd University • West Liberty University • West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine • West Virginia State University • West Virginia University • West Virginia University Institute of Technology
Private Alderson-Broaddus College • American Military University/American Public University • Appalachian Bible College • Bethany College • University of Charleston • Davis & Elkins College • Mountain State University • Ohio Valley University • Salem International University • West Virginia Wesleyan College • Wheeling Jesuit University
Categories:- Universities and colleges in West Virginia
- Educational institutions established in 1933
- National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities members
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
- Education in Raleigh County, West Virginia
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