University of Charleston

RELATIONSHIP RICH. CAREER RELEVANT.

Be a part of the fastest-growing institution in West Virginia.

Welcome to the University of Charleston. We offer a unique opportunity for those who want an exceptional education in a smaller, private setting.

We are Charleston’s University not just because our riverfront location is directly across from the WV state capitol complex and the city of Charleston, but because UC students are welcomed as part of the community. Students can take advantage of all our location offers, including opportunities for internships and community service.

Our history is rich with interesting milestones (the campus buildings were literally ferried across the river to our current location in 1947, for example). Our mission is one of preparation for a lifetime of striving to do more and do better. And our leadership provides a strong vision for making UC the best it can be for its students, faculty and staff, and surrounding community.

Why Consider UC?

• Named The Best Private Institution in WV (intelligent.com)
• Best National Universities List (US News & World Report | 2021 Edition)
• Best Colleges List: Region by Region (The Princeton Review | 2021 Edition)

General:

• Founded in 1888 as Barboursville Seminary, became Morris Harvey College in 1901, and was renamed the University of Charleston in 1978
• UC is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (Some individual programs are additionally accredited by their specific field.)
• Total enrollment: 2,620 (1,882 undergrads and 738 grad students (Spring 2019)
• Average Incoming Freshman scores: ACT 21 / SAT 935 / GPA 3.33
• UC students represent 40 states and all 55 WV counties. International students represent 44 countries.
• 85% of graduates are employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation.
• About 98% of UC students who take professional licensing and board exams pass on their first attempt.

Mission & Values:

The University of Charleston’s vision is to fulfill its long-standing mission by embracing diversity and adopting innovative practices to develop and enhance professional programs that provide applied, career-focused, student-centered experiences that empower students for personal growth and professional success.

Mission:

The Mission of the University of Charleston is to educate each student for a life of productive work, enlightened living, and community involvement.

Productive Work: “Productive” work isn’t defined by the acquisition of great material gain for the graduate, but by the positive impact of the work on the graduate’s community and world. UC prepares our students to contribute to society immediately and throughout their lives. Their work will vary tremendously, but we hope that each graduate will improve his or her world.

Enlightened Living: College graduates must own a broad range of knowledge to thrive in modern society. We prepare graduates to be scientifically, economically, politically, aesthetically and culturally literate with a sense of history and shared values, and a commitment to moral purpose and personal character.

Community Involvement: We want every student to develop a pattern of community involvement. The foundation of our society rests on community involvement, so we want our graduates to take leadership responsibility and initiative in shaping organizations, institutions and communities.

Values:

We are student-focused:

• We enable our students’ success.
• We celebrate their accomplishments.
• We champion and endorse our diversity.
• We live our mission.

We have integrity:

• We promote trust and transparency.
• We respect and applaud the work of our colleagues.
• We are responsible for our actions and encourage collaboration.
• We develop character.

We provide quality:

• We are committed to quality service.
• We strive for excellence in all we do.
• We promote a culture that inspires innovation.
• We cultivate leaders.

The University of Charleston has grown from a small seminary school to a thriving, independent university.

For information on admission requirements, kindly contact our admissions counsellor!