About the University

West Chester University, a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, is a public, comprehensive institution committed to providing high-quality undergraduate education, selected post-baccalaureate and graduate programs, and a variety of educational and cultural resources for its students, alumni, and the citizens of southeastern Pennsylvania.

The University offers more than 118 undergraduate, 80+ graduate programs, and 5 doctoral programs in more than 50 fields of study. See Programs at West Chester for a complete listing of degree programs. Undergraduates are encouraged to participate in experiential learning opportunities, which range from internships to collaborative research with faculty members. Several years ago, WCU launched a Summer Undergraduate Research Institute that offers even more undergraduates the chance to pursue significant research. Service learning is an integral component of many courses at West Chester and the keystone of the Honors College.

Currently, more than 17,000 undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled at West Chester University. WCU is one of the most sought-after universities in the mid-Atlantic region. We received more than 15,500 applications for the Fall 2022 first-year class, which was composed of 3,006 students. We are the largest state-owned university in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the premier state institution in such key measures as retention and graduation rates. On average, our entering students had a high school GPA of 3.5.

The University also offers a variety of programs at its Center City Philadelphia location, including an award-winning RN-to-BSN program in Nursing, a B.S. in Business Management, both a B.S.W. and M.S.W. in Social Work, an M.S. in Transformative Education and Social Change, an M.P.A. in Public Administration, and a Certificate in Urban Education.

Although its founding year is 1871, the University can actually trace its roots to West Chester Academy, a private, state-aided school that existed from 1812 to 1869. The academy enjoyed strong support from the Chester County Cabinet of the Natural Sciences. It was recognized as one of Pennsylvania's leading preparatory schools, and its experience in teacher training laid the groundwork for the normal school years that were to follow.

As the state began to take increasing responsibility for public education, the academy was transformed into West Chester Normal School, still privately owned but state certified. The Normal School admitted its first class of 130 students on September 25, 1871. In 1913, West Chester became the first of the normal schools to be owned outright by the Commonwealth.

West Chester became West Chester State Teachers College in 1927 when Pennsylvania initiated a four-year program of teacher education. In 1960, when the Commonwealth paved the way for liberal arts programs in its college system, West Chester was renamed West Chester State College. Two years later West Chester introduced the liberal arts program that turned the one-time academy into a comprehensive college.

In recognition of the historic merit of the campus, the West Chester State College Quadrangle Historic District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981. The buildings included in this historic district are Philips Memorial Building, Ruby Jones Hall, Recitation Hall, and the Old Library. Except for Philips, these buildings are all constructed of native Chester County serpentine stone.

West Chester State achieved another major milestone with passage of the State System of Higher Education bill. West Chester became one of the 14 universities in the State System of Higher Education on July 1, 1983. Along with its new name - West Chester University of Pennsylvania of the State System of Higher Education - the institution acquired a new system of governance and the opportunity to expand its degree programs.

West Chester University is located in West Chester, Pennsylvania, a town that has been the seat of government in Chester County since 1786. Nestled in the heart of Pennsylvania's Brandywine Valley, West Chester is a picturesque community that offers small-town charm with cosmopolitan flair. The Philadelphia Inquirer called it "one of the world's most perfect small towns."

West Chester was settled in the early 18th century, principally by members of the Society of Friends. In the heart of town is its courthouse, a classical revival building designed in the 1840s by Thomas U. Walter, one of the architects for the Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Philadelphia is 25 miles to the east and Wilmington 17 miles to the south, putting the museums, theaters, and other cultural and historical resources of both cities in easy reach. Valley Forge, the Brandywine Battlefield, Longwood Gardens and other world-class attractions are nearby. New York and Washington are easily accessible by car or train.

The Borough of West Chester can be accessed by car and public transportation. Route 3, the West Chester Pike, leads directly into town from Center City Philadelphia. From the Pennsylvania Turnpike, motorists traveling west should take Route 202 south from the Valley Forge Interchange or the E-Z Pass-only exit (#320), while those traveling east can arrive via Route 100 south from the Downingtown Interchange. From the south, Route 202 from Wilmington and Routes 100 and 52 from U.S. Route 1 all lead to West Chester.

Public transportation is available from Philadelphia and other nearby communities.

Information on public transportation and carpooling is available in Sykes Student Union, 610-436-2984.

The West Chester University Poetry Center hosts the annual West Chester University Poetry and Creative Arts Festival (the nation's premier all-poetry writing conference), sponsors the University’s Poet-in-Residence program, and presents poetry readings throughout the year. The Center also oversees national poetry awards under the auspices of the Iris N. Spencer Poetry Awards made possible by the generosity of Kean W. Spencer. These include the Myong Cha Son Haiku Award, the Rhina P. Espaillat Award, awards for Sonnet and Villanelle, the Donald Justice Poetry Prize, and the Wil Mills Chapbook Award. Scholarships to attend the Festival and other events are made possible through the Shirley Geok-lin Lim Fellowship. The Center’s activities are directed by the Poetry Center Director, who is appointed by the dean of the College of Arts and Humanities. An interdisciplinary faculty committee advises and supports the work of the Center. For more information, e-mail the Poetry Center, or call 610-436-2598.

WCU Community Mental Health Services (CMHS) is affiliated with the West Chester University Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) Program. CMHS serves as a training center for graduate students in the Psy.D. Program in the Psychology Program. As a non-profit training facility, CMHS provides low-cost, high-quality psychotherapy and testing for members of the greater West Chester community, staff and faculty of WCU, as well as WCU students referred from the University Counseling Center. Services include psychotherapy for a wide range of psychological disorders and psychological assessments, including assessments for ADHD, learning disabilities, and other disorders that may require documentation to secure classroom accommodations. CMHS is located on the 8^th Floor of Wayne Hall. For additional information or to schedule an appointment, please call 610-436-2510 or go to http://www.wcupa.edu/communityMentalHealth.

The Dub-C Autism Program (www.wcupa.edu/dcap) (D-CAP) supports part/full-time matriculated students on the autism spectrum at West Chester University. The program provides student supports across the areas of Executive Functioning, Independence, Social Competence, Self-Advocacy, and Career Preparation. As a member of D-CAP, students practice self-determination by setting their own goals. Skill development and goal achievement are addressed via individual and group meetings as well as social engagements. Training and support are offered for faculty, staff, and peers on campus, helping West Chester University build an inclusive and accepting campus community. In addition, D-CAP offers transition programs for high school students who intend on pursuing a 2- or 4-year degree. For additional information go to www.wcupa.edu/dcap or call 610-436-3168.

Real Achievement Matters (RAM) Initiative is an inclusive post-secondary educational experience for individuals (ages 18-24) with intellectual disabilities at West Chester University of PA. The two-year program provides students the opportunity to learn, live, and interact with all students, faculty, and staff across the university. Students take classes on either an audit or for-credit basis and have a non-traditional application/admissions process. RAM Initiative students are full-time students, have full privileges of the university, and are eligible for Pell Grants and Federal Financial Work Study programs (if financially eligible by filling out a FASFA form).