Detailed Information
Programs of Study
The Graduate Program in Interdisciplinary Studies at Mountain State University (MSU) is offered through the School of Graduate Studies. A graduate degree in interdisciplinary studies allows students to create programs of study incorporating the work of different domains of knowledge. It provides a useful approach for those whose interests fall between traditional areas. Students can integrate a variety of disciplines and incorporate fieldwork, directed research, mentored learning, and other forms of study.
The 36-semester-hour degree program is divided into three phases: methodology, content, and perspective.
In the methodology phase (3 hours), the student develops a detailed degree plan for proposal to the program. This proposal, based on the student’s research, tells what he or she plans to learn in the content phase and details a plan to demonstrate that learning in the perspective phase.
Once the program has approved the degree plan, the student begins the content phase (25 hours). The content phase typically includes graduate-level courses, directed study, field experience and research, and a major project.
The culminating element in the degree program is the perspective project (8 hours) in which the student demonstrates mastery of the program content in a work featuring analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. The perspective project may be a traditional thesis; however, it may instead take the form of an extended written document or project.
Although students may structure their studies around different areas of specific interest, standardized curricula are provided for those who wish to pursue graduate study in selected fields: adult learning facilitation (M.A.), disability studies (M.S.), liberal studies (M.A.), psychology studies (M.A.), and social and behavioral studies (M.S.). These programs incorporate the University course work to fulfill the content phase of the program.
In addition to master’s degree options, the Graduate Program in Interdisciplinary Studies offers four graduate certificates. Certificate programs are designed for those who wish to strengthen their workplace credentials or to pursue knowledge outside the structure of a degree program. Three 15-hour certificate programs are offered: cultures and social concepts, in which the student pursues interdisciplinary understanding of the relationship between cultural concepts and social movements; planning for success, which includes contexts for and strategies of management; and professional communication, which is a blend of written and Web presentation, grant writing, teaching, and training, all underpinned by a study of great presenters. The Graduate Program in Interdisciplinary Studies also offers an 18-credit-hour certificate in psychology studies.
Research Facilities
Learning resources include multimedia classrooms, computer laboratories, computer-assisted instruction, nursing and health assessment labs, and laboratories for the basic sciences. The Robert C. Byrd Learning Resource Center includes a student-centered library and media center. The collection comprises more than 95,000 titles, supplemented both by interlibrary loan and by extensive electronic resources, including ProQuest, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Social Issues Resources Series (SIRS), EBSCOhost, Westlaw, Wilson Web, Newsbank, and Medline. Technology resources include state-of-the-art telecommunication links, equipment, and high-speed access and software.
Financial Aid
Eligible graduate students may qualify for Federal Stafford Student Loans. Prospective students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for determination of eligibility. Most graduate students receive some sort of financial assistance.
Cost of Study
Tuition for 2009–10 is $335 per credit hour. Payment plans are available.
Living and Housing Costs
Many affordable housing opportunities are available in the neighborhoods surrounding the campus and in other nearby areas, which range from suburban to rural. Graduate students may also live on campus. Residence hall fees for 2009–10 are $1500 per semester for double occupancy and $2150 per semester for a private room (subject to availability). Students living on campus are required to purchase one of the University’s meal plans.
Student Group
Mountain State University serves more than 8,000 students a year. Graduate enrollment and programming have grown steadily since the University’s first graduate program was launched in 1998.
Location
Mountain State University’s main campus is located near downtown Beckley, West Virginia, a small city that serves as a regional center for business, health care, education, and tourism in the heart of the southern West Virginia mountains. The Beckley area offers the quiet of a small town with a wealth of recreational and cultural opportunities. Nearby recreational opportunities include white-water rafting on the famed New and Gauley Rivers, skiing, hiking, biking, climbing and rappelling, and other outdoor pursuits. Beckley is an hour’s drive from the state capital of Charleston and just a few hours from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Washington, D.C.; and other eastern metropolitan areas.
The University
For seventy-five years, Mountain State University has been a leader in overcoming barriers to higher education and in offering academic programs that combine a liberal arts foundation with career-oriented studies. The University features innovative programming, flexible learning arrangements, well-qualified and deeply committed faculty members, and outstanding student services, all in a relaxed atmosphere.
Applying
Admission to the Graduate Program in Interdisciplinary Studies is open to students with a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. There are no standardized test requirements, although on admission, a writing sample may be required for advising and assessment purposes. Students intending a psychology studies emphasis should refer to the online graduate catalog for additional admission requirements.
Applicants should submit a graduate application and arrange for official transcripts of all undergraduate studies and any graduate work to be sent directly to the School of Graduate Studies. Students can apply, enroll, and begin their studies at any time during the academic year.
Because of the individualized nature of the program, it is recommended that applicants discuss their educational goals with a program representative either before they apply or as soon as possible after acceptance.
The Graduate Faculty
- For information about faculty members, students should visit http://www.mountainstate.edu/majors/whystudy/gids/default.aspx.
Correspondence and Information
Mountain State University
Box 9003
Beckley, West Virginia 25802-9003
Telephone:
304-929-INFO (4636)
866-FOR-MSU1 (866-367-6781) (toll-free)
Email:
gomsu@mountainstate.edu
