The University of Charleston is an independent, co-educational, residential university.

Location
The University of Charleston is located in the state capital of West Virginia amidst magnificent mountains and rivers. It has a panoramic view of the capitol building across the Kanawha River. Charleston, the capital of West Virginia, is easily accessible by air via Yeager Airport, by regional train and bus services, and by car via I-77, I-64, and I-79.

Enrollment
The University of Charleston's enrollment is approximately 1,400 students from 30 states and 20 countries.

Admission
The admission process at UC is competitive. Factors in admission decisions include high school records, SAT or ACT scores, teacher recommendations, personal qualities, special talents, extra-curricular achievement, evidence of leadership and involvement and commitment to learning. A personal visit to campus, though not required, is highly recommended.

Financial Aid
More than 90% of UC students receive financial aid through scholarships, grants, loans, and campus employment. For information, visit our financial aid and scholarship pages.

Academic Calendar
The University of Charleston offers traditional fall and spring semesters and two summer sessions.

Majors

• Baccalaureate programs are available in 15 academic fields.
• An Associate degree program is offered in Nursing.
• Master's degree programs are available in Business Administration and Forensic Accounting.
• A Doctoral degree program is available in Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)

Student Life
Approximately 40 clubs and organizations are active on campus to engage you in Student Life. Beyond the campus, many students become active participants in the daily life of the Charleston community by taking advantage of an impressive array of work and entertainment options. Also, white water rafting, skiing, mountain climbing, and mountain biking are available within a one-hour drive from the campus.

Athletics
The University of Charleston participates in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II and the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC). Check out our Athletics Page for more info.

The University of Charleston does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, handicap, age, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic activities or other school-administered programs. 

Learning Your Way
Beginning in 1995, the University of Charleston successfully developed a performance-based curriculum known as Learning Your Way. The focus is on student learning instead of faculty teaching. The curriculum requires students to be proficient in six areas deemed critical to a liberal arts education: citizenship, communication, creativity, critical thinking, ethical practice, and science. 

Emphasis on Assessment
Our comprehensive set of assessment tools lets UC prove students' return on their investment. UC students score well on the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE).  In the first year of the Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA), UC students ranked number 1 out of all participating colleges, showing the largest learning gain from first to final year. An article in The New York Times Magazine profiled the University of Charleston in an article on the trend toward outcomes-based higher education on September 30, 2007. This historic coverage enhanced the University's growing national reputation as a leader in outcomes-based learning and assessment.

A Dynamic Campus
Seven of the 11 buildings on the UC campus have been built in the last 10 years. Three new residence halls house 700 students in an attractive, modern campus community. The newest residence hall featuring 49 student apartments is scheduled to open in early 2010. The pharmacy school opened in 2006 and the Morrison Fitness Center in 2007. Plans are underway for a new sports & fitness center.

Community Involvement
UC shares its beautiful riverside lawn with thousands of guests annually for community events like Symphony Sunday, Wine and All That Jazz, and Blues, Brews, and BBQ. The Erma Byrd West Virginia Women Artists Gallery is recognized as a must-see local attraction and the city’s most beautiful meeting space.  UC students perform thousands of hours of community service every year with the American Cancer Society, Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics, and other local schools and organizations.