West Virginia University

West Virginia University is also featured in our ranking 40 Best Online ABA Graduate Certificate Online Programs.

West Virginia University Online Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate

Students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Special Education, those who are taking courses related to the major or who hold a master’s degree in Special Education may enroll in the Applied Behavior Analysis certificate program at West Virginia University. The program is available in a completely online format. The certificate is designed for students who wish to work with children and adults with behavioral issues. Many graduates work with individuals who are on the autism spectrum. Students learn to plan, implement and evaluate interventions using applied behavior techniques. Upon completion, students are eligible to sit for the Behavior Analyst Certification Board examination for certification as an applied behavior analyst. Courses required for the program include:

• Designing Single-Case Research
• Foundations & Philosophies of Applied Behavior Analysis
• Methods in Behavioral Intervention & Treatment
• Naturalistic & Functional Analyses of Behavior
• Professional Ethics for Behavior Analysis
• Systems for Behavior Change, Team Building, Case Management

About West Virginia University

In 1863, the state of West Virginia was formed and accepted the terms of the Morrill Act, legislation passed in 1862 that offered land grants to states who agreed to create an institute of higher learning that focused on mechanical arts and agriculture. By agreeing to the Morrill Act, West Virginia was given federal land that they could either sell or use to establish the school.

West Virginia sold lands, using the funds along with property donated by the Woodburn Female Seminary and the Monongalia Academy in Morgantown to establish the land-grant institution known as the Agricultural College of West Virginia. The school was established in 1867 and the Seminary building was used as a residence hall. The first president of the school, Alexander Martin, lived in the building with the students.

The Morrill Act required the school to offer programs in agriculture, but the initial focus was humanities and sciences. To meet the Morrill Act requirements, however, students planted a garden in Woodburn Circle. Immediately after the planting of the garden, students left for summer break, returning to a garden full of weeds. Another requirement of the Morrill Act was the establishment of a cadet corps. The Agricultural College met this requirement with a corps that eventually became the ROTC program in World War I. When the school opened in 1867, tuition was just $8 for a 13-week term and students paid $43.50 to live on campus. The cost for a full academic year ranged from $187.50 to $249. In 1868, legislators changed the name of the school to West Virginia University.

Women were admitted to the program in 1889. Chapel attendance was required each morning, a rule that remained until it was eliminated in 1898. In an effort to keep enrollment sufficient during the Great Depression, students could work and study at the college. This not only allowed students to continue their education but also allowed the college to reduce expenses. During World War II, male enrollment dropped significantly. The 48th College Training Detachment lived and trained on campus. They were also provided the opportunity to attend classes. With the establishment of the G.I. Bill, enrollment exploded at the school. In an effort to meet demand, classes ran from 8 AM until 10 PM Monday through Saturday.

Today, there are 31,442 students enrolled at West Virginia University. U.S. News & World Report ranks the school as one of the top 100 graduate schools in the country and among the top 100 public universities. The Center for World University Rankings places the school among the top two percent of universities in the world. According to the National Council for Home Safety and Security, West Virginia University is ranked in the top 40 safest campuses in the country.

West Virginia University Accreditation Details

West Virginia University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission which guarantees students are receiving the highest quality education possible. West Virginia University undergoes periodic review to ensure that it continues to adhere to criteria set forth by the accrediting agency that indicates excellence in education. The university gained its initial accreditation in 1926. In addition to regional accreditation, West Virginia University programs have also received accreditation from the following industry-specific organizations:

• Accrediting Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
• Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
• Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
• Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
• American Chemical Society
• American Dietetic Association
• American Psychological Association
• Applied Science Accreditation Commission of ABET
• Association for Behavior Analysis
• Association for Clinical Pastoral Education
• Association of American Law Schools
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International
• College of American Pathologists
• Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
• Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
• Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association
• Commission on Peer Review & Accreditation, National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration
• Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
• Council on Education for Public Health
• Council on Social Work Education
• Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
• Forensic Science Education Program Accreditation Commission of the American Academy of Forensic Science
• Foundation for Accreditation of Cellular Therapy
• Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals
• Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
• Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board of the American Society of Landscape Architecture
• Liaison Committee on Medical Education
• National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
• National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers
• National Association of Schools of Art and Design
• National Association of Schools of Music
• National Association of Schools of Theatre
• National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
• North American Society of Sport Management
• Section on Legal Education of the American Bar Association
• Society of American Foresters
• Society of Wood Science & Technology

West Virginia University Application Requirements

Freshmen who have not earned any college credits beyond high school graduation are entered as freshmen at West Virginia University. West Virginia residents must have a 2.0-grade point average and non-residents a 2.5 grade point average. Official high school transcripts are required

Transfer students are those who have earned more than 24 credits after high school graduation. Transfer students must have a 2.0 GPA in all college work and must provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities they have attended.

Students who wish to attend graduate school at West Virginia University must provide official transcripts from each college or university attended and one must display the conferring of a bachelor’s degree or higher. Students must also provide official GRE scores. Each program has their own admissions requirements so students are encouraged to speak to an admissions counselor before applying.

West Virginia University Tuition and Financial Aid

Full-time undergraduate tuition at West Virginia University is $8,856 per year for residents and $24,960 for non-residents. Graduate tuition is $476 per credit hour for West Virginia residents and $1,230 for non-residents.

Financial aid is available to students based on financial need and eligibility. Students may qualify for grants and scholarships which do not have to be repaid after graduation. West Virginia may also offer work-study programs that provide a student with employment to offset the cost of tuition. Loans may also be available but must be repaid upon graduation. West Virginia University also has an Ohio Reciprocity Agreement. Students from Ohio who are fully admitted in certain majors may be eligible for in-state tuition. Students are encouraged to speak to a financial aid officer to learn more. All students who wish to be considered for assistance must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Even students who believe their income does not make them eligible for assistance should complete the FAFSA.

West Virginia University offers students a wide variety of degrees offered in an online format. This format provides the flexibility that allows students who have work, family and social obligations to achieve their higher education goals in order to move into a new career or advance in a current career.