International Studies Information

International Student Information

• About the University
• Admission Requirements
• Academic Support
• International Transfer Students
• Campus Living
• Financial Assistance

About the University

For more than 100 years, students, staff, and faculty from around the world have found their way to West Virginia State University, recognized as the most culturally and racially diverse institution of higher education in West Virginia.

West Virginia State University, located in Institute, a suburb of Charleston, the State capital, is the largest institution of higher education in the Kanawha Valley, and serves as a major resource center for this metropolitan area. The University provides a large spectrum of undergraduate degree programs, both baccalaureate and associate.

Founded in 1891 as a Land-Grant institute, West Virginia State University attained national prominence as an institution for higher education for blacks and continues to serve as a center of black culture in the state of West Virginia. Voluntary desegregation in 1954 created a distinctive "living laboratory of human relations," attracting a racially and culturally diverse student body, faculty, and staff. The University cherishes its unique history and its reputation for safeguarding academic freedom, for being innovative in its scholastic programs, for removing barriers to education, and providing leadership for women, minorities, and the handicapped. As the University has grown and evolved, to an enrollment of nearly 5,000 students, it has retained a degree of diversity unique among other West Virginia colleges and universities.

West Virginia State University has a proud history of educating international students and has alumni living in such countries as Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, Trinidad, Jamaica, Gambia, Senegal, Spain, Virgin Islands, Czechoslovakia, Singapore, Barbados, Canada, Ecuador, Kenya, Korea, Germany, Liberia, Nigeria, China, Turkey, South Africa, Israel, India, Iran, Iraq, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The Office of International Affairs is available to assist international students with their individual needs.

During the past few years students, staff and faculty have participated in WVSU organized travel work study to England, Czech Republic, Russia, Venezuela, South Africa, Benin, Egypt, Guatemala, Mexico and Canada. The Drain-Jordan Libraryis currently engaged in a partnership with the National University of Benin library. The Department of Biologyhas an exchange program with Exeter, England.

Multicultural Affairs provides programming designed to enhance student awareness of cultures, foods, and different ethnic groups. It also coordinates activities between international students, students with an international interest, and members of the greater community.

Academic Support

To meet the academic needs of a diverse student body, West Virginia State University provides an extensive network of support services. Each student has a personal academic adviser to assist with his/her curriculum choices. A trained staff of professional counselors in our Collegiate Support and Counseling Centeroffers guidance in personal and career matters.
 
Helping students succeed academically is the mission of the Peer Tutoring Center, which provides free, individualized tutoring from fellow students. The University also offers developmental studies courses for students who enter college needing improvement of certain skills. The Office of International Affairs has trained personnel to assist international students with their special needs.

Campus Living

The Universitys four residence halls offer a wide range of living possibilities. Students may purchase a meal plan to eat at the campus cafeteria or visit the Wilson University Unioncomplex where they have access to snack bars, a game room and a student lounge. Computer labs are also available for use in the residence halls.

For more information, please contact the Office of International Affairs or the Office of Admission.

West Virginia State University
P.O. Box 1000
Institute, WV 25112
Website: www.wvstateu.edu
Telephone: Within USA (800) 987-2112
Outside of USA (304) 766-3221

Admission Requirements

First-time freshmen international students must submit the following documentation to be considered for admission to WVSU:

1. Application for admission
2. True copies of all transcripts
3. TOEFL scores
4. Affidavit of support (notarized)
5. ACT scores (can be taken on our campus)
6. Health form

International Transfer Students

International students who have accumulated fewer than thirty hours at another college in the United States and who wish to transfer to West Virginia State University must submit the following:

1. A completed, signed West Virginia State University application form
2. A health form
   Official transcripts of all academic work attempted at the last institution attended in the home country and all institutions in the United States, sent directly to the Office of Admissions from the other institutions
3. A score of five hundred or better on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
4. ACT scores

International students who have accumulated more than thirty hours at another college in the United States and who wish to transfer to West Virginia State University must submit the following:

• A completed, signed West Virginia State University application form Official transcript(s) of all academic work attempted in the United States, sent directly to the Office of Admissions from the college previously attended Health form.

International students transferring to West Virginia State University from another United States college must apply for immigration approval (Form I-538 ) prior to making the transfer.

Financial Assistance

Unfortunately, federal financial aid is only available to eligible US citizens. However, WVSU does offer a limited number of academic scholarships to students. Please contact the Office of Admission & Recruitment Servicesfor an application.