Academic Services

Academic Affairs

West Chester University's undergraduate programs include teaching certification programs, local certificate programs, and programs of study leading to the bachelor of arts, bachelor of fine arts, bachelor of music, bachelor of science, bachelor of science in education, bachelor of science in nursing, and bachelor of social work. A complete list of undergraduate degree programs are located on the Program Index page. Programs of study at the graduate level are also available. These are listed on the Program Index page and are described in detail in the Graduate Catalog.

Academic Advising

West Chester University embraces the concept that effective academic advising is a collaborative teaching and learning process between the student and the faculty advisor. The University believes that effective advising should assist students in achieving their academic, professional, and personal goals. The University community – students, faculty, and staff – shares the responsibility for student success. Faculty advisors will strive to provide accurate, timely, and current information, thus establishing the framework around which students will construct their academic program of study. Students, in turn, must take responsibility for their educational and career goals by assuming an active role in working towards their degree and being aware of and understanding policies and requirements necessary for graduation. The University is responsible for providing a supportive environment where students can receive high quality academic advising and also be referred to other campus resources that will provide opportunities and assistance to help students succeed.

In order to maintain progress towards their goals, all students must meet with their advisors at least once per semester, as well as consult with department and university documents such as advising sheets and Degree Progress Reports. Students can find additional advising support information on the university’s advising website.

Advisor assignments are made by the academic department of the student's program of study. Students who are admitted to the University as "undeclared" are assigned an advisor through Exploratory Studies (222 Lawrence Center, 610-436-3505). Students may find the name of their academic advisor on their RamPortal page.

Students who choose to pursue an academic minor will also be assigned an advisor in the minor. The minor advisor will assist the student in understanding the requirements of that particular program.

Learning Assistance and Resource Center

The Learning Assistance and Resource Center (LARC) provides academic support services to help students become independent, active learners who achieve academic success. Tutoring is available in most 100- and 200-level general education courses, such as mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, languages, and introductory business. Embedded tutoring is also an option within high-risk courses (i.e., biology and chemistry). In addition to tutoring, the LARC offers success coaching for students seeking skill development in the following areas: time management, test-preparation, note taking, textbook reading, and more. Interested students register on a first-come, first-served basis and are assigned tutors or success coaches depending on availability. Finally, the LARC offers additional tutoring through Tutor.com, an online resource that connects students with professional tutors. The LARC website, www.wcupa.edu/larc, includes information about available services, a list of courses being tutored, and links to helpful resources.  

Both undergraduate and graduate students have the opportunity to secure paid practical experience at the LARC. All student employees are required to participate in a comprehensive training program comprised of orientations, online sessions, individualized projects, and peer observations. Opportunities for practicums or internships are available. Tutors employed by the LARC acquire the knowledge and experience necessary to meet the requirements for certification through the College Reading and Learning Association. The LARC is open Monday - Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m, Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday evenings (see webpage for exact times). For more information call 610-436-2535, e-mail larc@wcupa.edu, see the website at www.wcupa.edu/larc, or visit 224 Lawrence Center.

Veterans Affairs

Under the provisions of Title 38, West Chester University of Pennsylvania is an accredited university for the education of veterans. The University cooperates with the Veterans Administration to see that honorably separated or discharged veterans receive every consideration consistent with either degree or non-degree admission standards.

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is compliant with the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, section 3679 of Title 38, United States Code of School Compliance. 

All veterans, certain dependents of disabled or deceased veterans, and war orphans who wish to obtain educational benefits under the appropriate public laws must register with the Veterans Affairs Office at initial registration. During registration, veterans will be required to provide a current copy of their Certificate of Eligibility or Statement of Benefits (Post 9-11/Chapter 33 recipients). Veterans using Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31) benefits will be issued an Authorization (previously called VA Form 1905) by their Veteran Readiness and Employment Counselors. Additionally, veterans will be required to submit a WCU Request for Certification 30 days prior to the start of each semester for which they plan to use their entitlement. The Veterans Administration requires undergraduate students who are veterans to schedule at least 12 credit hours per semester in order to receive full benefits under the GI Bill® and graduate students who are veterans to schedule at least 9 credit hours per semester in order to receive full benefits under the GI Bill®.

West Chester University participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program under the Post 9/11 GI Bill®. The Post 9/11 GI Bill® pays up to the in-state tuition and fees for all students in the program, depending on their qualifying benefit level. For out-of-state students at the 100% benefit level, the University will contribute (and the VA will match) funds to make up the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees.

West Chester University is compliant with the recent passage of PA Act 11 and PA Act 14 (referred to as the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014),

In accordance with Act 46 of 2014, West Chester University offers Priority Registration for Veterans. For guidelines regarding priority scheduling please visit the Registrar's website.

The Greg R. and Sandra L. Weisenstein Veterans Center is located at 624 South High Street. The Veterans Center serves as a resource for veterans, service members, and spouses/dependents to aid with their transition to college. Services include but are not limited to Student Veteran Group (SVG) meeting headquarters, a student veteran lounge, and computer area.  Additionally, the Veterans Center provides office space for two School Certifying Officials, and an Administrative Assistant who facilitate the use of VA educational benefits and provide general VA information.

For information about the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) benefits programs, assistance in completing the application for benefits, or to submit requests for enrollment certification, contact the Veterans Center at 610-430-5866 or e-mail veteranscenter@wcupa.edu.

Veterans' Residency

West Chester University adheres to the guidelines set forth by the PA Act 11 and PA Act 14 in order to demonstrate compliance with the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014.

According to WCU policy, your residency status may require you to supply extra documentation to ensure you receive the proper, in-state tuition benefits.  Please visit the Registrar's residency section for further information regarding military personnel.

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The GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Scholarly Publications

College Literature: A Journal of Critical Literary Studies is dedicated to publishing original and innovative scholarly research across the various periods, intellectual fields, and geographical locations that comprise the changing discipline of Anglophone and comparative literary studies. Megan Corbin of the Department of Languages and Cultures serves as editor.

Lawrence A. Dowdy Multicultural Center

The Dowdy Multicultural Center (DMC) promotes holistic success and development of multicultural students through collaborative co-curricular experiences that promote multicultural awareness, create a sense of belonging, affirm racial and cultural identity, and empower all students to challenge systems of oppression. In addition, the center collaborates with other offices, organizations, and departments to improve awareness of and appreciation for racial and cultural diversity for the University community.

The Dowdy Multicultural Center was dedicated on October 21, 2016 in honor of Lawrence A. Dowdy for his years of devoted service to West Chester University. The values of the DMC are advocacy, community, empowerment, identity development, social justice, transformative education, and civic engagement.

The center is located in Room 003 on the ground floor in Sykes Student Union and can be reached at 610-436-3273 or by email at multicultural@wcupa.edu.

Assessment

Purpose and Scope

As a community, West Chester University (WCU) routinely engages in evaluation and assessment of course-level, program-level, and institution-level (e.g., general education) learning outcomes. All faculty members are responsible for creating, conducting, and reporting this assessment. Student coursework, including but not limited to exams, papers, written assignments, and presentations, may be retained for the purpose of student learning assessment and improvement. In addition, students may be asked to directly participate in other assessment activities such as standardized tests, focus groups, surveys, questionnaires, and interviews.

Policy Statement

  • Academic units (defined as individual departments and/or programs, with their faculty) are responsible for developing student learning outcomes for programs and courses, for delineating an assessment plan and process, for collecting assessment data from courses and other relevant activities, and for submitting assessment results/reports as required by the university.
  • Learning outcomes for program-required courses should be linked to relevant program-level learning outcomes.
  • All courses, whether required in a program or serving as electives, must include course-level student learning outcomes that are linked to relevant assignments or other measures.
  • Academic units are expected to utilize the results obtained from course and program-level assessments to determine if and what action may be necessary to improve student learning -- and to make appropriate adjustments to curricula.

Procedures

Assessment results and reports required by the university currently include the Assessment of Student Learning (ASL) process carried out by the University Assessment Advisory Committee (UAAC).

Reporting groups (defined as individual assessment or graduate coordinators or committees) implement and oversee the assessment process for individual academic programs and/or departments. They are responsible for collecting and organizing the assessment data and reporting those data to their academic units. Some academic departments contain multiple academic programs. In some cases, those departments might have multiple individuals serving as assessment coordinators, each of whom would represent a reporting group. In other cases, departments (with one or more academic programs) may have a department-wide assessment committee (perhaps chaired by one or more assessment coordinators) who work together to ensure the proper implementation of the student learning outcomes assessment process for all programs within that department.

Assessment results/reports are to be submitted by academic units to the appropriate dean’s office via institutionally supported software and on the schedule established by university administration. Review of assessment materials, including student learning outcomes, assessment measures and criteria, curriculum maps, current results and action plans, is to be completed by each college or school dean’s office each academic year.