Comprehensive Guide to Majors at West Chester University

West Chester University (WCU) offers a diverse range of academic programs designed to help students discover their passions and prepare for successful careers. With over 180 diverse academic opportunities, West Chester University has made it possible for every student to find their element. This article provides a detailed overview of the majors available at WCU, highlighting key aspects of the university's academic environment and student life.

Introduction

Choosing a program begins a transformative journey. Located on a beautiful campus, West Chester University is defined by its unique charm. The university prides itself on fostering a welcoming environment where students feel they belong. As West Chester University President R. states, "I want students to feel that when they step onto this campus they belong here, they're happy that they came here, and this is where they want to be."

Academic Environment

The student-faculty ratio at West Chester University of Pennsylvania is 20:1, and the school has 29.5% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. This favorable ratio allows for more personalized attention and interaction between students and faculty. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 84%.

Popular Majors

The most popular majors at West Chester University of Pennsylvania include:

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Health Professions and Related Programs
Education
Psychology
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
English Language and Literature/Letters
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Visual and Performing Arts

Undergraduate Majors

WCU offers a wide array of undergraduate programs, including Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.), Bachelor of Music (B.M.), and Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) degrees. Here's a detailed list:

Accounting, B.S.
Anthropology, B.A.
Art - Graphic + Interactive Design Specialization, B.F.A.
Art - Studio Arts Specialization, B.F.A.
Biochemistry, B.S.
Biology, B.S.
Biology - Cell and Molecular Concentration, B.S.
Biology - Ecology and Conservation Concentration, B.S.
Biology - Integrative Biology Concentration, B.S.
Biology - Marine Science Concentration, B.S.
Biology - Medical Laboratory Science Concentration, B.S.
Biology - Microbiology Concentration, B.S.
Biology, B.S.Ed.
Biomedical Engineering, B.S.
Business Analytics, B.S.
Business Management, B.S.
Business Management - Business Processes and Data Analytics Concentration, B.S.
Business Management - Human Resources Concentration, B.S.
Chemistry, B.S.
Chemistry, B.S.Ed.
Chemistry-Biology, B.S.
Communication Sciences and Disorders, B.A.
Communication Studies, B.A.
Computer Science, B.S.
Criminal Justice, B.S.
Economics, B.S.
Educational Studies, B.S.
English, B.A.
English, B.S.Ed.
Environmental Health Science, B.S.
Exercise Science, B.S.
Exercise Science - Exercise Science Specialist Concentration, B.S.
Exercise Science - Pre-Chiropractic Concentration, B.S.
Exercise Science - Pre-Occupational Therapy Concentration, B.S.
Exercise Science - Pre-Physical Therapy Concentration, B.S.
Finance, B.S.
Forensic and Toxicological Chemistry, B.S.
Geography, B.S.
Geoscience, B.S.
Geoscience - Earth Systems Concentration, B.S.
Geoscience - Geology Concentration, B.S.
Health and Physical Education, B.S.
Health and Physical Education - Teacher Certification, B.S.
Health Science - Respiratory Care Concentration, B.S.
Health Science: General, B.S.
History, B.A.
Interdisciplinary Studies, B.S.
Interdisciplinary Studies - Professional Concentration, B.S.
Interdisciplinary Studies - STEM-H Concentration, B.S.
- Interdisciplinary Studies, B.A.
International Business, B.S.
Languages and Cultures, B.A.
Languages and Cultures - French Concentration, B.A.
Languages and Cultures - German Concentration, B.A.
Languages and Cultures - Russian Concentration, B.A.
Languages and Cultures - Spanish Concentration, B.A.
Languages and Cultures with Elective Certification - French Concentration, B.A.
Languages and Cultures with Elective Certification - German Concentration, B.A.
Languages and Cultures with Elective Certification - Russian Concentration, B.A.
Languages and Cultures with Elective Certification - Spanish Concentration, B.A.
Linguistics, B.A.
Marketing, B.S.
Mathematics, B.A.
Mathematics, B.S.
Mathematics - Actuarial Science Concentration, B.S.
Mathematics - Applied and Computational Mathematics Concentration, B.S.
Mathematics - Mathematical Finance Concentration, B.S.
Mathematics - Mathematics Concentration, B.S.
Mathematics - Statistics Concentration, B.S.
Media and Culture, B.A.
Middle Grades Preparation Grades 4-8, B.S.Ed.
Music Education, B.M.
Music History, B.M.
Music Therapy, B.M.
Nursing, B.S.
Nursing - RN-to-BSN Track, B.S.
Nutrition - Dietetics Concentration, B.S.
Nutrition - Lifestyle Nutrition Concentration, B.S.
Performance - Instrumental Concentration, M.M.
Performance - Keyboard Concentration (Piano, Harpsichord, or Organ), M.M.
Performance - Vocal Concentration, M.M.
Pharmaceutical Product Development, B.S.
Pharmaceutical Product Development - Pre-Pharmacy Concentration, B.S.
Philosophy, B.A.
Philosophy - Religious Studies Concentration, B.A.
Physics, B.S.
Physics, B.S. in / Engineering, B.S.
Physics, B.S.Ed.
Political Science, B.A.
Political Science - Government and Politics Concentration, B.A.
Political Science - International Relations Concentration, B.A.
Psychology, B.S.
Public Health, B.S.
Sociology, B.A.
Special Education - PreK-12 and Early Grades Preparation (PreK-4), B.S.Ed.
Special Education - PreK-12 and Middle Grades Preparation (4-8), B.S.Ed.
Special Education - PreK-12, B.S. Ed.
Sports Medicine Studies, B.S.
Studio Composition, B.M.
Supply Chain Management, B.S.
Supply Chain Management - Healthcare SCM Concentration, B.S.
Theatre, B.A.
Theatre - Design and Production Concentration, B.A.
Theatre - Musical Theatre Concentration, B.A.
Theatre - Performance Concentration, B.A.
Theory, B.M.
Urban and Environmental Planning, B.S.
Urban Community Change, B.A.
Vocal Performance, B.M.
Women's and Gender Studies, B.A.

Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Programs

WCU offers combined bachelor’s to master’s programs, allowing students to earn both degrees in a shorter amount of time. These programs provide a seamless transition to graduate studies. Here are some of the available accelerated programs:

Accounting B.S. to M.S.
Applied Statistics M.S.
Biology B.S. - Ecology and Conservation Concentration to M.S.
Biology B.S. - Integrative Biology Concentration to M.S.
Business Analytics B.S. to M.S.
Business Management B.S. to M.S.
Business Management B.S. - Human Resources Concentration to M.S.
Communication Sciences and Disorders B.A. to M.S.
Communication Studies B.A. to M.A.
Computer Science B.S. to M.S.
Criminal Justice B.S. to M.S.
Early Grades Preparation (PreK-4) B.S.Ed. to M.A.
Early Grades Preparation (PreK-4) B.S.Ed. to M.Ed.
English B.S.Ed. to M.A.
Geography B.S. to M.S.
Geoscience B.S. - Earth Systems Concentration to M.S.
Geoscience B.S. - Geology Concentration to M.S.
History B.A. to M.A.
Interdisciplinary Studies B.S. - STEM-H Concentration to M.S.
International Business B.S. to M.S.
Languages and Cultures B.A. - French Concentration to M.A.
Languages and Cultures B.A. - German Concentration to M.A.
Languages and Cultures B.A. - Spanish Concentration to M.A.
Mathematics B.A. to M.S.
Mathematics B.S. - Applied and Computational Mathematics Concentration to M.S.
Mathematics B.S. - Mathematics Concentration to M.S.
Mathematics B.S. - Statistics Concentration to M.S.
Media and Culture B.A. to M.A.
Nutrition B.S. - Dietetics Concentration to M.S.
Philosophy B.A. to M.A.
Psychology B.S. to M.S.
Sports Medicine Studies B.S. to M.S.
Supply Chain Management B.S. to M.S.
Urban and Environmental Planning B.S. to M.S.

Graduate Programs

West Chester University offers a variety of graduate programs, including Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Science (M.S.), Master of Education (M.Ed.), Master of Music (M.M.), Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.), Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), and Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.).

Applied Statistics, M.S.
Applied Statistics - Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Concentration, M.S.
Applied Statistics - Business and Marketing Analytics Concentration, M.S.
Applied Statistics - Data Science Concentration, M.S.
Applied Studies in Teaching and Learning, M.Ed.
Athletic Training, M.S.
Athletic Training - Post-Professional Concentration, M.S.
Biology, M.S.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.S.
Clinical Psychology, Psy.D.
Communication Studies, M.A.
Computer Science, M.S.
Conducting - Choral Concentration, M.M.
Conducting - Instrumental Concentration, M.M.
Criminal Justice, M.S.
Early Childhood Education, M.Ed.
English - Creative Writing Track, M.A.
English - Literature Track, M.A.
English - Writing, Teaching, and Criticism Track, M.A.
Exercise and Sport Science - Applied Sports Performance Concentration, M.S.
Exercise and Sport Science - Clinical Exercise Physiology Concentration, M.S.
Exercise and Sport Science - Sport and Exercise Psychology Concentration, M.S.
Geography, M.S.
Geoscience, M.S.
Higher Education Policy and Student Affairs, M.S.
History, M.A.
Human Resource Management, M.S.
Languages and Cultures - French Concentration, M.A.
Languages and Cultures - German Concentration, M.A.
Languages and Cultures - Spanish Concentration, M.A.
Languages and Cultures with Elective Certification - French Concentration, M.A.
Languages and Cultures with Elective Certification - German Concentration, M.A.
Languages and Cultures with Elective Certification - Spanish Concentration, M.A.
Literacy and Reading Specialist Certification, M.Ed.
Mathematics - Applied and Computational Concentration, M.S.
Mathematics - Mathematics Education Concentration, M.S.
Mathematics, M.S.
Media and Culture, M.A.
Music Education, M.M.
Nursing, M.S.N.
Nutrition (Community), M.S.
Performance - Instrumental Concentration, M.M.
Performance - Keyboard Concentration (Piano, Harpsichord, or Organ), M.M.
Performance - Vocal Concentration, M.M.
Philosophy - Applied Ethics Concentration, M.A.
Philosophy - Standard Concentration, M.A.
Physician Assistant Studies, M.S.
Policy, Planning, and Administration, Ed.D.
Psychology - General Psychology Concentration, M.S.
Psychology - Industrial/Organizational Psychology Concentration, M.S.
Public Administration, M.P.A.
School Counseling, M.Ed.
Secondary Education, M.Ed.
Secondary Education - Residency Option, M.Ed.
Special Education, M.Ed.
Speech-Language Pathology, M.A.
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), M.A.
Transformative Education and Social Change, M.S.

Minors

Students who have enough flexibility in their major curriculum to fulfill the requirements of a minor may submit an Academic Plan Change Request to add a minor through their RamPortal. To enroll in a minor field of study, students must have the approval of both their major and their proposed minor departments. Admission to the minor does not guarantee admission to the major. Students must complete 18 to 30 hours of courses selected in consultation with the minor program advisor. At least 50 percent of minor course work must be taken at West Chester. Also, students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 in the set of courses taken for a minor in order to receive transcript recognition of that minor. Certain minor programs may require a higher minimum GPA.

Dual Degree Programs

A student who has successfully completed at least 30 credits of work at West Chester University may petition to pursue a second undergraduate degree concurrently with the first, such as a B.S. in computer science and a B.F.A. in art. If admitted to a second-degree program, the student must, to receive both degrees at graduation, meet all the requirements of the baccalaureate program for both degrees. When a student is enrolled in dual degree programs:

The student may not be graduated until both the degrees are completed.
All requirements for the curriculum of each degree must be satisfied.
A course required in both degree programs does not have to be repeated for the second degree.
All University requirements such as minimum GPA and number of credits taken at West Chester University in the major must be met for each degree separately.

A student may select two majors within the same degree. In this case, a student must meet all of the requirements for both majors. The student should consult regularly with advisors from both programs. An individual may pursue a second degree at West Chester University after earning the first degree either at West Chester or some other institution. Such an individual must apply for admission through the Office of Admissions as a transfer student and earn at least 30 hours of West Chester University credit beyond the requirements of the initial baccalaureate program. In addition, a student must take at least 50% of the courses in his /her major or minor discipline (excluding cognate courses) at West Chester University. All requirements for the curriculum in which the second degree is earned must be satisfied.

Read also: Explore CFK

Declaring a Major

Policy Requirements First-year students who entered West Chester University as exploratory/undeclared/pre-major must declare a major at the completion of 45 West Chester University earned credits. This is most often equivalent to three semesters of full-time study at the University. Transfer students (Internal and External) who are undeclared must declare a major after two semesters of full-time study as an exploratory/undeclared student. Students must be in good academic standing and must meet all admission requirements specified by the program they plan to transfer into. Exception to this policy may be granted to students who are planning to declare a major with highly restrictive admission requirements and may need additional semesters to complete those requirements. Any undeclared student who does not declare a major within the stipulated period of time will be required to develop an action plan addressing their academic area(s) of interest before the advisor hold will be lifted to enable the student schedule for the next semester. Request to Postpone/Defer Declaring a Major An exploratory/undeclared/pre-major student may submit a request to defer declaring a major if the student is postponing major declaration because they have yet to complete the prerequisites for the anticipated major.

Student Life

Everyone has their thing, and no matter what yours happens to be, we're confident you can find it among our 300+ clubs and organizations. When you choose WCU you choose discovery.

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