Learning Options

Since its founding, Mountain State University has worked to create new ways of making higher education accessible. Today MSU offers a wide array of learning options that recognize adult students have unique needs, learning styles and time constraints. All learning formats provide the same quality educational experience and learning outcomes and allow students to 'mix and match' most formats in undergraduate studies and some formats in graduate studies to meet your unique needs.

Classroom Based

MSU offers traditional 16-week courses. Eight-week courses are available at selected locations.

Cohort Groups

Selected academic programs (including leadership), as well as the University's general education tracks, are offered in a group learning environment, or learning cohort. Cohorts are formed on MSU's campuses and sites, at other locations within West Virginia, and online. The same group of students meets together once a week and complete their entire program together. The experiences, ideas, and perspectives of the other cohort members contribute to each student's learning.

Hybrid Study

Available for selected programs and courses at MSU's Martinsburg campus, hybrid study incorporates a range of methods to create a guided learning experience. Hybrid study combines such elements as DVD lectures, films on demand, online video clips, and other electronic resources, along with group interaction in discussions and projects. Courses are self-paced and available in 8- or 16-week terms, with full- time, on-site facilitators to provide assistance and guidance.

Independent Study

This learning format provides an opportunity to study at your own pace. IS courses are available to all students, and you can enroll in a course at any time. Once you enroll, you have four months to complete a course, with up to two one-month extensions available (graduate studies may only receive a two-week extension subject to the program's discretion). Examinations can be taken on or off campus; some exams require an approved proctor. IS courses are available in two different formats. For paper-based IS courses, you can submit assignments by either e-mail or postal mail. IS courses that are available in a web-enhanced version use the Blackboard learning management system.

Online

Mountain State University offers programs of study online using the Blackboard Learning Management System. Most online courses are offered in an 8-week format. Online faculty members use Blackboard to post class announcements, guide threaded online discussions, communicate with students, and assess and grade student coursework. Online library support and learning resources are provided for all online programs.

Online leadership programs are offered in a learning cohort. Classroom interaction and face-to-face instruction are replaced by online activities including group chats, threaded group discussions, e-mail, podcasts, and sharing of learning resources.