West Virginia Trade and Vocational Schools

Are you trying to do some research in order to determine what educational options West Virginia has to offer? Have you recently completed your high school diploma requirements and now you are anxious to begin working on a post secondary degree program in an area of your choosing? Doing thorough research is a great beginning place. Not only will it help you become more familiar with the different options you have available to you, it will also help you to secure your professional future. According to current online research, approximately 49-58% of the available jobs in this state will require applicants to have completed some level of a college degree program. While it may be possible for an associate's level degree to qualify you for some of these available jobs, it is important to note that the amount of pay you will be able to receive is sure to be less than if you complete a four year degree program.

However, individuals in West Virginia who have only completed their high school diploma requirements will find that more than 41% of the available jobs will be appropriate for them. While this number seems to be on the higher end, it is important to note that these positions may not be what you would consider a forever occupation. Continue reading below to become familiar with some of the most popular collegiate choices that West Virginia has to offer. Keep in mind, if none of the colleges and universities that are discussed below suit you and your intended career goals, there are definitely other options for you to consider. After all, no community colleges, junior colleges, or vocational institutes are discussed below.

One of the most popular collegiate options in West Virginia is Marshall University. Located in Huntington, this publicly operated educational facility has a current undergraduate enrollment of nearly 13,000 students. Although this university is probably most well known for the tragic airplane crash involving their football players in 1970, there are actually many great academic offerings present at this facility. In fact, should you decide to attend this university you will be able to choose a degree program from one of eleven colleges and schools. You can choose from: Fine Arts, Liberal Arts, Medicine, Journalism and Mass Communication, Business, Health Professions, Science, Education and Human Services, Information Technology and Engineering, Extended Education, and Graduate College. West Virginia University is another great option for prospective college students. This university is located in Morgantown and is operated as a public educational facility.

Although this university offers students the chance to choose between fifteen different colleges and schools, they are most well known for their degree program in forensic science. If the field of forensic science is something you are considering pursuing then you will most definitely want to check this school out! The other great academic options at this university are found within these colleges and schools: Dentistry, Pharmacy, Technology, Arts and Sciences, Creative Arts, Forestry and Consumer Sciences, Agriculture, Business and Economics, Law, Education and Human Resources, Nursing, Physical Education, Honors College, Mineral Resources and Engineering, and Arts and Sciences.

Mountain State University, located in Berkley, is yet another popular collegiate option in West Virginia. Although this learning institution began as a community college, in recent years it has become accredited as a university. Even today, this university operates on a fairly small scale. In fact, current statistics show that only about 4,000 undergraduate students are enrolled in the degree programs at this school. Should you choose to further check out what this university has to offer you will be able to choose from these major fields of study: health science, arts and sciences, leadership and professional development, and business and technology. Fairmont State University is another publicly operated post secondary school that you should consider.

Although this university was founded as a training school for teachers, it has expanded its offerings to include many other areas of study for interested students. In fact, there are seven different colleges and schools to consider: Nursing and Allied Health Administration, Liberal Arts, Business, Education, Fine Arts, Science and Technology, and Graduate Studies. The final most popular option you should check out is Shepherd University, which is located in Shepherdstown. While it is possible to complete a graduate level degree at this facility, undergraduate degrees are certainly the main focus at this university. There are four main areas within the undergraduate degree programs: business and social sciences, natural sciences and mathematics, education and professional studies, and arts and humanities.

 

Career Training Areas for West Virginia

Medical Sector – The healthcare industry is still strong in the state and many students are going into a healthcare related field such as medical assisting, medical billing and phlebotomy. With a short training period you can also qualify for many of the pharmacy technician and dental assistant jobs in the area.

Business – Those looking into business should consider degrees in accounting, marketing and management. These fields will give you more of a selection of industries to choose from when you graduate.

Why Attend College in West Virginia

1. One of the most beautiful of all of the states. Its natural beauty, good seasonal weather and mountains bring in tourists as well as college students.

2. West Virginia is very affordable in terms of cost of living. Many that attend college rent and find housing cheaper than the national average.

3. Large cities make up over 60% of all the jobs that require a degree. Cities such as Charleston, VA, Huntington, VA and Princeton, VA are all major cities where employment numbers are improving.

 

Low Education Levels Mean Higher Skilled Trade Enrollments

West Virginia’s graduate rate has averaged 74.7% over the past 7 years. Graduates in the state are having a harder time leaving and attending college as the need for the family is to get a job after high school. With fewer than 7% of the workforce having earned their Associate’s degree the options for many are limited. Working in the coal mines or manufacturing biotech jobs in the state or taking over a family business are sometimes seen as the only choices for graduates. This is why so many have left the state to continue on with their education. This puts a financial strain on the counties and state to find qualified workers.

Many in the state have turned to more trade school related training. Seniors are taking courses in high school that will lead into a hands-on jobs such as HVAC, electrical and even truck driving. Others are choosing to enroll in a medical trade program.

 

West Virginia Sources
http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_wa.htm
https://wvde.state.wv.us/