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West Liberty University Sees Spike in Enrollment

Photo by Joselyn King West Liberty University students Brandon Galici of Parkersburg, left, and Abbi Sayre of New Manchester meet with university President Stephen Greiner during Black and Gold Day, a event for prospective students attended by 53 families.

WEST LIBERTY — Enrollment at West Liberty University is the highest it has been in more than four years.

School officials announced this week 2,155 students are taking classes during the spring semester — a 1.8-percent increase over enrollment for spring 2016. The figure represents the first increase of students in WLU classrooms since the fall of 2012.

Much of the upswing is due to an 11-percent increase in new students coming on campus in the fall, and increases in graduate student enrollment of 12 percent in the fall and 24 percent this spring, according to data provided by WLU.

WLU President Stephen Greiner does see a trend of enrollment increases continuing for the school, especially for graduate programs.

“Our new programs are attractive and address marketplace needs — so we are seeing more students enroll in these programs, like our online MBA and new master of science in criminology, due to the need in our region,” Greiner said. “West Liberty University performed market analysis and assessment before we embarked on creating new programs, and we will continue to be responsive to the needs of our community and the entire region. We also know that prospective students find a welcoming campus that is supportive of their success and an education that is affordable when they explore West Liberty University. West Liberty University offers an excellent return on investment.”

WLU graduate programs include a master of arts in education, a master of science in physician assistant studies, a master of professional studies, a master of science in criminology and an online master’s in business administration degree.

A master of science in biology degree is expected to be available next fall. Other proposed master’s programs include studies in dental hygiene and a master’s in clinical psychology, which already have been approved by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.

Both are now waiting for approval by the Higher Learning Commission, the regional accreditation body for post-secondary education institutions in the central United States, according to WLU officials.

There are also new offerings for undergraduates.

The recently approved “3+2-year” program in human biology makes it easier for top-level students to complete a bachelor’s in biology in three years, then go on to get a master’s in physician assistant studies in two years.

The program begins next fall.

Another program starting with the fall semester would provide a nursing degree on an accelerated schedule to anyone who currently holds a bachelor’s degree outside of nursing, but who now wants to become a registered nurse.

Students interested in learning more about WLU undergraduate or graduate programs should call the admissions department at 304-336-8076 for details or visit westliberty.edu.

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