Frequently Asked Questions | Office of the Provost

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GENERAL MERGER DETAILS

What will this new college be called?

The new college will be named the College of Applied Human Sciences to reflect a focus on helping people live happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives. The College of Applied Human Sciences will be comprised of three schools – the School of Education, the School of Counseling and Well-being, and the School of Sport Sciences. The three schools will build on the skills and knowledge of both colleges to establish a dynamic and forward-thinking academic unit.

Faculty, staff, students and key alumni were engaged in the process of selecting the new name for the college, which was ultimately approved by senior leadership and affirmed by the WVU Board of Governors during their Oct. 29, 2021, meeting.

When will this change happen?

Leadership from both colleges began working during the summer of 2021 to map out the potential structure for the new college. The Provost’s Office presented the planning process and projected timeline to the Board of Governors during its June 25, 2021, meeting.

During the 2021-22 academic year, several working groups are assigned to address the various aspects associated with building the new college, such as academic programming, promotion and tenure guidelines and practices, and administrative and student support services. These groups will provide opportunities for employees, students and alumni from both colleges to engage in the planning process.

The new college will launch on July 1, 2022.

Who will lead the College of Applied Human Sciences?

The University will conduct a national search for a founding dean of this college. This process will begin in the fall semester 2021, with the hopes of making a selection during the spring of 2022 and having the new dean in place by July 2022.

Internal candidates will be eligible to apply.

Who made the decision and how?

This process is part of the ongoing academic transformation initiative. President Gee, along with University leaders, evaluated various data sets to reach this conclusion. Although a reorganization such as this does not require Board of Governors’ vote or approval, they have been involved in and aware of the leadership’s decision-making process and progress.

Was input from both colleges factored into the decision?

Senior leadership is always engaging with WVU’s academic deans and leaders to listen and gather feedback to make the best decisions possible for the University. The deans of CEHS and CPASS have been aware that this realignment was being considered and have shared this information with their constituents. Faculty, staff and other key stakeholders will have an opportunity to engage in the planning process moving forward.

Is there anything that could potentially reverse or stop this plan from moving forward?

No. This decision has been made; however, there will be ample opportunity for faculty, staff and other key stakeholders to provide input on such areas as academic programming, promotion and tenure guidelines and practices, awards and recognitions, and administrative and student support services.

Is this being done to save money? How much does the University anticipate this merger will save?

While the decision to create the College of Applied Human Sciences was not primarily focused on saving money, we do believe that it will result in savings over time that may be reinvested in the new college. Savings alone should never be a determining factor for academic reorganization. There must be a shared focus and an alignment of interests, which this college will both represent and inspire.

GENERAL STUDENT QUESTIONS

Should I be concerned the major into which I was admitted will be eliminated due to the merger?

Academic programs will not be eliminated as a result of the merger.

Will my program go away? Will I be able to graduate in the same program I’m in now?

CEHS and CPASS have already focused individually in recent years to evolve their curriculum and programs to meet both student and market needs. Because of that, we do not anticipate the elimination of academic programs as a result of the formation of the College of Applied Human Sciences. Instead, we believe it will lead to the creation of new academic programs that are highly relevant to today’s market and will attract new students to the University. Students currently enrolled in either college will not see their degree programs affected by the merger.

Will the merger effect the size of my classes?

No. The merge will not affect the size of your classes.

Will the merger change the professors teaching my classes?

No. The merger will not affect which professors will be teaching your courses.

Will the merger change the requirements for my major?

No. Major requirements and required courses are not changing as a result of this merger and the creation of the new college. Any new requirements will occur because of decisions made by program faculty, with the goal of improving the educational and career development opportunities for students.

Will the merger affect my plans for a double major/minor?

No. The merger will have no impact on what you can double major or minor in.

Will the merger change my degree's graduation requirements?

No. Major requirements and required courses are not changing as a result of this merger and the creation of the new college.

Will the Evansdale Campus still be the location for majors in the new college?

Yes. Major-specific classes will still be located on the Evansdale Campus. However, please note that general education, elective and minor/double-major courses could be located on the Downtown Campus.

Where will my classes be held?

Class location is based on several factors and are determined centrally by the University. However, major-specific classes will be on the Evansdale Campus. It is likely that you will not notice changes to class locations.

Will the merger change the name of my major?

No. The name of your major will not be affected.

How can I benefit from this merger as a CAHS student?

Students will have increased opportunities to benefit from cross-collaboration between the schools that will be part of the new College of Applied Human Sciences. There will be three schools within CAHS: the School of Counseling and Well-being, the School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences. It is our hope that these opportunities for collaboration between faculty and students within the new college may result in additional opportunities for student learning, engagement and growth.

Who will advise me at New Student Orientation?

During New Student Orientation, Student Success personnel from the College of Applied Human Sciences will advise students to ensure that they are registered for the classes they need to make progress toward degree completion as they enter as freshmen. After you have completed your New Student Orientation Portal, you will be assigned an academic advisor who will advise you on fall courses.

Since there are three schools in the new college, will I be required to take classes in all of them or just the school where my major is housed?

No. Major requirements and required courses are not changing as a result of the creation of the new college.

Does this impact the Adventure WV trip?

No. The CPASS Adventure trip will not be affected.

My major is related to sport sciences, and it doesn't seem to fit with this college. Will I have the resources I need?

The College of Applied Human Sciences provides comprehensive opportunities for students interested in a variety of industries related to human development, including physical and mental development. There are three schools within the new college, including the School of Sport Sciences, which will specifically focus on preparing students for careers in sport and human performance.

How does this impact student clubs and organizations?

We do not anticipate any impact on student clubs and organizations as a result of this merger and the development of the new college.

Will my access to research opportunities be impacted if there are more students in my college?

Students are encouraged to participate in research opportunities that align with their specific major, discipline and areas of interest. The merger will not impact the number of students in a specific major and should not, in a negative way, impact research opportunities. In fact, the creation of the new college may very well provide more possibilities for students to engage in research across new disciplines within the college should they consider such options.

How will this merger affect graduate research opportunities?

Will application requirements or application deadlines for graduate programs change because of this merger?

Admission requirements and application deadlines will not be changing. Please refer to your program's webpage for more specific information on admission criteria.

Who do I contact with questions?

If you are an incoming student and have already been working with a specific point of contact, please continue to work with that person. If you have additional questions, please email CAHSinfo@mail.wvu.edu or call (304) 293-4800. Current students should continue working with their academic advisor.

ADMISSIONS

How will the merger effect my admissions to WVU?

Your admission to West Virginia University will not be affected.

Will this change how my dual enrollment/AP credits are applied?

No. Your dual-enrollment and AP credits will be applied in accordance with University policy. To review how your dual-enrollment course may be applied, please visit the WVU FAQs page or consult an academic advisor at CAHSinfo@mail.wvu.edu. To review how your AP credits may be applied, please also see the WVU Admissions FAQs page.

Will math placement requirements change?

No. Math placement requirements are determined by major (not academic college) and they will not be changing. Please refer to the course catalog for additional information regarding math placement.

Will I need to fulfill any additional requirements for my degree, such as the PRAXIS?

Degree requirements will not be changing as a result of this merger and the creation of the College of Applied Human Sciences. If any major requirements change for graduation or admission, your assigned academic advisor and program faculty will communicate those additional requirements to you.

Does this change my major to Health and Well-being if I originally applied to Nursing?

No, this will not change your major. Students who originally applied to the School of Nursing but have been admitted to the Health and Well-being major will not be affected. These specific students will still work closely with their Health and Well-being academic advisor to meet the requirements necessary to be eligible to apply to the School of Nursing.

If the College is making changes, will my major still exist during my time at WVU?

Changes made to the College will not impact your academic major.

Many of the CEHS majors are offered as an online program. Will I still have that flexibility?

The College of Education and Human Services and the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences both offer a variety of online programs and courses. The innovative work to provide flexible options to students within each of these units are expected to continue within the new college.

HOUSING

Will the CPASS LLC still exist?

The Living Learning Community (LLC) that was formerly associated with the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences will still exist. It is now available to all College of Applied Human Sciences students who are interested in careers in sports, health and well-being, and human performance.

FINANCIAL AID/COST

Will the merger effect my current scholarships?

No. Institutional scholarships, external scholarships (from community organizations, businesses and school districts) and financial aid award packages will not be affected. If you are a current student and receiving a college-based scholarship, please consult your original award letter regarding renewal requirements, if available as an option. If you have additional questions about this, please contact CAHSinfo@mail.wvu.edu.

How will the merger effect my cost of attendance, tuition and fees?

The Board of Governors will vote on tuition in June. In the meantime, students can consult the online tuition calculator on the financial aid website for additional information. These costs will be made public as soon as possible.

Will the new college offer more scholarship money?

At this time, the new college will offer the same scholarships that had been in existence previously. However, student scholarships are a top priority for the college and efforts are underway to generate additional student support funds.

Will there be one central scholarship that a student can apply for/be awarded based on test scores/GPA as a new departmental award?

Not at this time. The College of Applied Human Sciences is currently developing a central scholarship application process to allow students to apply for scholarships across the college.

ALUMNI

What about my status as an alumnus/alumna of CPASS/CEHS? What about my diploma?

Graduates of CPASS and CEHS will always be alumni of West Virginia University and proud Mountaineers. That will never change. Those degrees will always hold the same value as the day they were awarded. Higher education is an ever-evolving landscape, and we must remain relevant to our current and future students to ensure their continued success. We appreciate the connection alumni have to their individual colleges, but we also hope that our alumni will support future generations of graduates by acknowledging the need for change and the significant opportunities that will exist in this new college.

For those who graduated in August 2022 or earlier, your academic record will identify CEHS/CPASS as the college from which you graduated. Once the College of Applied Human Sciences has launched, alumni may choose to update their resumes with an addendum indicating the new name of the college.

If a graduate should need to order a replacement diploma after September 2022, the replacement diploma will indicate the new college name, College of Applied Human Sciences, rather than the original college name.

INTERNAL OPERATIONS

How many recruiters will the new college have?

There will be two recruitment points of contact for the College of Applied Human Sciences.

Will there be a new mission statement?

New mission and vision statements will be developed in the future.