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SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS AND EDUCATION

Mission of School

The mission of the School of Liberal Arts and Education is to maintain a world class vision of excellence which is designed to prepare students to assume productive leadership roles anywhere in the world. To this end, high quality faculty, staff, and administrators are sought to provide world class leadership programs that integrate instruction, technology, research, public service, and professional development activities.

Goals

The School of Liberal Arts and Education will fulfill its mission by:

• Constantly assessing all personnel and programs and restructuring when deemed necessary to achieve the mission;
• Creating innovative programs that address global trends and issues, accommodate traditional and non-traditional students, and carve a world class niche for the School;
• Continually integrating contemporary technology into the academic and administrative routines of the School;
• Ensuring that programs and resources are managed efficiently by competent professionals;
• Maintaining accreditation in those disciplines which have achieved such status and acquiring accreditation in those programs whose academic standards merit such recognition.
• Providing effective academic support, professional development, and co-curricular programs that provide opportunities for students to: benefit from the guidance of caring, competent, and visionary professionals; graduate in a timely fashion; secure leadership positions or graduate school opportunities in their chosen professions; acquire appropriate social acumen; and learn to communicate effectively with persons from diverse backgrounds.
• Securing external funds to operate world class programs through a variety of research, grantsmanship, and fund-development activities.
• Recruiting traditional and non-traditional students whose academic, co-curricular, and other experiences suggest that they are desirous of completing School of Liberal Arts and Education programs.
• Developing strategic alliances with school systems, community colleges, other four-year institutions, corporate affiliates, local businesses, civic and social organizations, alumni groups, and a variety of other constituencies.
• Providing concomitant professional development opportunities for faculty, staff and administrators.
• Utilizing contemporary communicative strategies and vehicles to market the School's programs on a world-wide basis.
• Employing a participatory style of governance that invites input from faculty, staff, administrators, students in general, and student leadership groups, advisory boards, alumni, parents, community partners, and other constituencies.

Organization of the School

The School of Liberal Arts and Education consists of seven undergraduate departments and the ROTC Department. Programs focusing on the humanities and social sciences serve to strengthen critical thinking and analysis, problem-solving capabilities, communication skills and interpretive insights.

The Education programs provide students with a strong foundation in the arts and sciences on which to build their skills in teaching. The teaching endorsement qualifies the students for teaching positions throughout the country. The Education programs are accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education and approved by the Virginia Department of Education.

Programs of Undergraduate Study

Special Opportunities 
In the liberal arts, interdisciplinary study in international affairs enhances opportunities for students to study abroad. Internships and cooperative work assignments provide managerial experiences for students with private firms and government agencies. Special assignments in the Governor's Office and with state legislators provide students with insights into public policy.

Special Facilities and Equipment
WVST, the campus radio station, and the Virginia State Television Network (VSUN), the units under the University Academic Technology Department provide production skill training and teach the use of current technologies. Computer-assisted writing laboratories assist students with special problems.

Organizations and Clubs
There are many groups students can join to satisfy their intellectual interests or provide opportunities for co-curricular pursuits. There are clubs connected to academic disciplines that provide informal forums to discuss topics of interest in politics, languages, science, history, computers, literature, technology, and business, among others. There are organizations whose focus is on individual interests, such as dance, broadcasting, and journalism as well.

The Department of Languages and Literature offers several specific facilities: a computer writing center, an electronic writing classroom, television editing laboratory, a radio laboratory, a foreign language laboratory, and a multimedia computer classroom.

The Department of Sociology, Social Work and Criminal Justice offers two specialized laboratories: a forensic laboratory and a computer laboratory.

Other Pertinent Information

The School also offers graduate programs in a variety of areas. Please refer to the Graduate Catalog for details.

Disclaimer

Courses listed in the catalog without "F" or "S" designation will be offered infrequently based on students' demand and faculty availability. Students should consult the department in which the courses are housed.