West Virginia University Courses & FeesMorgantown, USA

The advertising and public relations major teaches students how to ethically serve and engage diverse audiences in all sectors of society. As such, student learn how to develop and manage creative, comprehensive and strategic campaigns.  Students in this major select an area of emphasis (AOE) in either advertising or public relations to complement their strategic communications coursework. Both majors require creativity and critical thinking.

Students build skills in writing, research, strategy, design, digital and social media, as well as the history and laws that provide a foundation for their field. They may further their expertise through such courses as Martin Hall Agency, crisis communication, International communication, event planning, advocacy communication, visual storytelling, media planning, influencer marketing and study abroad experiences. Students plan and produce promotional and educational campaigns and materials for actual clients, which include local businesses, nonprofits and communities, as well as larger grant-funded projects that impact our state. As a result, students gain real-world experience that can lead to careers in advertising and public relations agencies, corporations, nonprofits, government, education, entertainment, sports, healthcare, and other public-sector fields.

Our program provides a broad understanding of management and leadership through a variety of courses in human resource management, marketing, organizational behavior, operations management, statistics and business strategy. Students develop critical written and verbal communications skills, learn to integrate and synthesis information and improve upon leadership capabilities. Students have the flexibility to take a variety of electives to customize their major focusing on accounting, economics, finance, human resource administration, entrepreneurship, and/or marketing.

The management major provides the skills and knowledge needed for students who aspire to leadership roles in business.  The major prepares them for various managerial positions.  Students choose from one of three areas of emphasis (AoE) in management:

• Human Resource Management
• International Business
• Students pursuing the Human ResourceManagement area of emphasis develop capabilities for careers in compensation, recruiting, or training that could lead to managerial positions in human resources.
• Students pursuing the International Business area of emphasis are encouraged to study a foreign language and to participate in a study abroad program.  Students electing this area of emphasis would be prepared to work in overseas locations and develop expertise in managing operations outside the United States.

Management majors must declare one area of emphasis and complete all requirements for the major and the AoE to be eligible for graduation.  Students who prefer not to pursue an area of emphasis may declare the General Business major, which offers students the opportunity to complete electives in more than one of the areas of emphasis. 
 

The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Major will prepare graduates for starting new ventures, as well as positions in organizations that propose, analyze, and implement entrepreneurial growth strategies. Through a flexible series of courses that emphasize both conceptual and hands-on/experiential learning, students will develop knowledge and skills that will provide them with a platform to start, run, and grow entrepreneurial enterprises. Career options for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Majors include:

• Business owner or operator
• Business or economic development
• Corporate innovation
• New product or service development
• Management consulting

Finance is the study of the creation and management of wealth and the allocation of resources in capital markets. A finance major learns how to evaluate and control risk, appropriately price new projects, perform capital expansion for firms, and maximize returns from investments. The finance program prepares students for a variety of positions in financial enterprises. Areas of Emphasis within the major are aligned with career opportunities existing in investments, wealth management, corporate valuation and management, personal finance, insurance, risk management, energy finance and commercial banking. 

People with degrees in finance have careers such as:

• Financial Manager
• Commercial Banker
• Credit Manager
• Financial Analyst
• Financial Planner
• Institutional Portfolio Manager
• Insurance and Risk Manager
• Insurance Underwriter
• Investment Banker
• Loan Officer

Students who successfully complete the program will be prepared and competitive for entry-level positions in areas pertaining to supply chain management.  These jobs include areas such as materials project manager, sourcing leader, supply chain analyst, production analyst, logistics planning, shipping and delivery management, among others.

• Graduates from the program will have the knowledge and skills to manage and coordinate all supply chain functions in an enterprise, from overseeing acquisition, internal allocation of resources, movement and storage of raw materials and inventory, to managing complex networks of supply and demand.
• They will have the knowledge and skills to lead supply chain improvement projects, to function in supply chain teams, and to perform or lead supply chain activities.
• Graduates will be able to recognize the systemic and global nature of supply chain processes and activities in the decision-making process, the interdependencies critical to effectively manage and improve performance, the role of supply chain information technology in the effective management and improvement of supply chain activities, and the complexities of global supply chain operations and related ethical issues.
• In addition, students will recognize the great potential that supply chain activities and decisions offer in terms of making a positive contribution not only to the improvement of business performance but also to society.

Students in the MIS program gain the skills necessary to analyze an organization’s information needs and develop technological solutions to effectively solve business problems.  In today’s fast-paced, global environment, technology is a necessary and integral part of business.  MIS professionals have the knowledge to understand both the business goals and information needs of the organization, and to deliver the application of technology to meet those needs.  Career opportunities include:

• Consulting
• Database Administration
• Information Systems Security
• Networking and Telecommunications
• Systems Analysis and Design
• Technology Management

This is an excellent major for students who enjoy technology and want to apply their knowledge in a business environment.

Marketing professionals are involved in the exchange of value through planning, promoting, pricing, and distributing products and services.  The marketing program is designed to give students a strong understanding of the elements of marketing plans used by organizations to satisfy customer needs and wants.  In addition to the foundations of marketing strategy, the required courses provide an appreciation of how marketing strategies are used in the globalized economy.  Students may select from three tracks: integrated digital marketing communications (iDMC), professional sales, and start up/high tech marketing.  Career opportunities for marketing majors include:

• Digital Marketing
• Distribution and Channel Management
• International Business
• Marketing Analytics
• Marketing Management
• Product Management
• Professional Sales
• Promotions
• Retail Management
• Sustainable Marketing

The Organizational Leadership major will introduce students to leadership theory and practice, organizational behavior and teams, the ethical dimensions of leadership and decision making, how to lead organizational change, and how to handle conflict and negotiation.

As more organizations recognize the need for data-driven marketing campaigns, marketers are working alongside data specialists who collect data at all stages of the marketing process. Marketing communications professionals then use that data to predict future behaviors, make data-driven decisions to attract and retain consumers, and measure outcomes to determine what’s successful — and what isn’t.

The WVU Reed College of Media's Data Marketing Communications graduate program is designed for professionals who are passionate about the marketing communications profession — we bring together those who aspire to be leaders in the field of using data to achieve marketing communications results. In this program, students earn a practical, in-demand degree focused on bridging the gap between data scientists and communicators to reach key audiences.They understand how technology and users are changing and are dedicated to learning the skills needed to make data-driven decisions in order to measure productivity and increase ROI. Many academic programs that address this emerging industry need focus on statistics professionals or computer programmers. The Data Marketing Communications program is neither; it is completely designed to support today's marketer.

The Data Marketing Communications program is completely online with no on-campus classroom attendance required. Curriculum consists of 10 courses and can be completed in 16 months. Requirements include the prerequisite course and quantitative assessment exam, followed by eight core courses, and finally a capstone course.

The program offers a specialization with an Area of Emphasis in Integrated Marketing Communications.

Data Marketing Communications instructors are recognized leaders in their fields. These scholar-practitioners provide a carefully balanced blend of academic theory and the practical skills today's marketers need. They teach our “learn-it-today, use-it-tomorrow” curriculum, which provides valuable, practical knowledge that can be immediately applied to a student's current career. Most students continue to work full-time while earning their degree.

All courses are asynchronous, allowing students to participate at any time, from anywhere in the world. While no on-campus residency is required to complete the degree, the program hosts an annual Integrate conference to provide students and faculty an opportunity to network in-person and explore the latest innovations in the ever-changing marketing communications landscape. Learn more about the program's Integrate Conference.

The M.S. Finance program is ideal for potential candidates with undergraduate degrees in Accounting, Finance, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Geology, or Economics, or those with industry experience and the drive to be successful. M.S. Finance graduates, especially those earning the Chartered Financial Analyst credential, enjoy careers with leadership positions across the gamut of financial positions. This includes investment banking positions, portfolio management, financial analyst, fund management, and corporate finance positions, among others.

Rooted in the tradition of academic excellence of WVU, the Reed College of Media's Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) graduate program has developed a national reputation for hands-on, industry relevant education. The program was named the "Outstanding Online Program" for 2015 by the Online Learning Consortium, the leading professional organization devoted to advancing the quality of online learning worldwide. The program was also named a finalist in the PRWeek US Awards 2016 "Education Program of the Year" category and was named a "Program of Excellence" by the WVU Board of Governors in 2020.

The IMC program is offered exclusively online with no on-campus classroom attendance required. The program is constantly evolving to reflect our changing industry and ensure a relevant, highly-customizable graduate experience for students. At the center of the curriculum are an introductory course and three core courses, which provide all students with a solid marketing communications foundation. The degree is enhanced by selecting two of four "specialty" course options and three of nearly 30 elective course options. Through the extensive specialty and elective courses, students are able to focus their graduate studies on their individual areas of interest or to position them for a specific career path. The capstone course is taken in the student's final term. In this final course, students apply their knowledge to create an IMC campaign for a real-world client. They can choose to work on a client of their preference or on a national client provided by the instructor.

The Department of Management offers the Master of Science in Human Resource Management (MSHRM). This AACSB-accredited program of study prepares students for professional positions in human resource management and labor relations. The curriculum is aligned with the standards set forth by the Society for Human Resource Management (http://www.shrm.org).

Professional opportunities for MSHRM graduates include such positions as human resource business partner, human resource manager, labor relations specialist, training coordinator, talent acquisition specialist, compensation analyst, and benefits administrator. Many graduates find employment with Fortune 500 companies. Other positions include opportunities in government such as National Labor Relations Board Field Examiner, positions with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, state and local Human Rights Commission representatives, and Department of Labor compliance officers. Some find positions with organized labor, all levels of government, and advocacy organizations. The Management Department, in conjunction with the John Chambers College of Business and Economics Center for Career Development, makes a concerted effort to place graduates in positions that fulfill students' career objectives.

The MSHRM program is a full-time program of instruction designed to be completed in three semesters. Accepted students will begin in the fall semester, with a planned graduation after completing program requirements at the end of the following fall semester (fall, spring, fall). The program requires students to complete an applied, non-credit internship experience (or equivalent) designed to occur during the summer between the second and third semesters.

Experiential learning opportunities are embedded into many courses in the curriculum, enabling students to work on meaningful, applied projects while learning core content. Additionally, all students complete an applied internship experience. Many organizations return to WVU each year seeking MSHRM students as summer interns, and many of those lead to full time employment offers upon degree completion. Other co-curricular learning opportunities include the General Electric Interview Competition (GEIC), PepsiCo Case Study Competition, WVU Talent & Culture Fellowship opportunity, collective bargaining simulations, site visits with HR professionals, and the opportunity to develop international HR skills while traveling abroad.

Another program highlight is the Practicum series. Through a series of required practicum courses, students engage in a variety of professional development activities including resume building, mock interviews, and engaging in formal and informal networking opportunities. The Practicum series brings HR practitioners to the classroom to share knowledge, insights, and best practices with students on a variety of topics. These topics complement their in-class studies by presenting diverse perspectives that cut across the academic/practitioner landscape.

The mission of the safety management program is to prepare program graduates to meet the safety mission of any enterprise. This is stated simply as: The safety mission of an organization is to protect, conserve, and improve the resources—people, property, and efficacy—of the organization. 

The effects of computer engineering are seen in all facets of our lives. Computer engineers develop systems that can perform very useful operations such as what can be found in high-end computers, devices for networking switches and hubs and for manufacturing control, and systems in automobiles, fax machines, and microwave ovens. Even cell phones have sophisticated computational operations that provide useful features and capabilities, and the work of computer engineers has enabled this technology to be readily available.

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering degree program provides students with the knowledge and skills to ensure successful employment and advancement as an engineer, as well as, to pursue further education. We give students a solid foundation in mathematics and the sciences with a special emphasis on the fundamentals of computer science and electrical engineering relevant to computer engineering. We provide the general education to put the technical knowledge into perspective. The student can pursue special areas of interest through several elective courses. Upon graduation the student will be well prepared to be successful and productive in the workforce.

One of the key features of engineering that sets it apart from other disciplines is design. Design is the creative process of putting ideas, components, and systems together to develop solutions to problems and needs. The curriculum encourages design-oriented thinking at a fundamental level and culminates in the capstone senior design course sequence in which many factors such as technical, economic, environmental, ethical and legal, health and safety, manufacturability, political, social, sustainability, and realistic standards are considered. The program further encourages the development of good communication skills in written, oral and electronic forms.

Students will be able to recognize the relevant issues in cybersecurity and have knowledge in the areas: data security, software security, system security, human security, organizational security and societal security. Students will be able to apply the ethical aspects and cyber laws in each cybersecurity area.  The Statler College intends to seek ABET accreditation for the cybersecurity program.

The program in Health Informatics and Information Management (HIIM) was approved in the Spring of 2017 with the first students being accepted for Fall 2017.  The first class of graduates successfully completed the HIIM program in May of 2020. HIIM is an integration of healthcare management, business management, and information systems technology. HIIM professionals possess a unique blend of knowledge, skills, and competencies related to the complex and ever-evolving healthcare industry, including healthcare systems organization; workflow and delivery processes; healthcare privacy and security; policy and finance; data management; compliance; clinical documentation improvement; and quality healthcare outcomes and improvement processes. 

The goal of the HIIM program is to prepare students to graduate with an understanding of current and future healthcare industry trends and issues; to prepare students to develop, communicate, and manage resources and solutions to address healthcare industry challenges; and to prepare students to improve overall quality and outcomes of the healthcare system. 

WVU Tech Information Systems program is designed to train highly skilled professionals with expertise in networking, database management, computer systems management, and website development. The program curriculum contains 17 courses taught by Computer Science and Information Systems faculty that are specially developed for Information Systems majors. They include courses such as Database Management, e-Commerce, and Computer Security. Those courses are supplemented by highly specialized Business Management courses such as Visual Basic for Business applications, Business Information Systems, and Business Statistic s. For elective requirements, the department offers a wide variety of courses on computer systems, programming, and special topics such as video game development, artificial intelligence, image processing, and computer graphics. Students have the opportunity to learn more theoretical aspects of computing, other programming languages, advanced programming concepts, or other applications of computing by taking Computer Science electives of their interest.

Computer engineers design, develop, test, and oversee the manufacture and maintenance of embedded computer hardware and software.  As such, computer engineering combines portions of the knowledge of electrical engineers and computer scientists.  Embedded computer systems include applications in the automotive, communications, radio and television, consumer electronics, aircraft, robotics, and health-care industries.  In addition, computer engineers design, develop, test, manufacture, and maintain complex systems including digital communications systems such as cell phone networks, secure computer networks, and system-level software such as operating systems and applications software.  The Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org.

Fundamental courses in the computer engineering areas of hardware and software are taken during the second year with general fundamental engineering courses included.  The third and fourth years in the curriculum concentrate on areas of computer engineering in both software and hardware with technical electives provided to allow the student to acquire more depth in a preferred area of expertise.

The Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering offers the professionally oriented and applied Masters of Science in Software Engineering (M.S.S.E.) degree program, as well as a graduate Certificate in Software Engineering.  The M.S.S.E. provides graduate educational opportunities to working professionals.  The M.S.S.E. degree is a unique fully-online program that provides graduate level software engineering expertise to individuals who are currently working in software engineering or the information technology industry.  The program aspires to serve full-time software engineering professions with a background in computer science or similar fields seeking an applied masters program who want the flexibility of an online format.  

Under the coursework-only option, students will complete their degree requirements with five core courses and six advanced elective courses that deepen their understanding of aspects of software engineering relevant to their careers.  Problem Report and Thesis Options are also available.