Higher Education
The Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia is home to a number of institutions of higher learning offering a variety of programs.
Shepherd University, a state sponsored, accredited co-educational school located seven miles east of Martinsburg in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Currently serving over 4,000 students, Shepherd’s undergraduate program has offerings in over 75 different fields of study, including Accounting, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Engineering, Information Science and Math. Shepherd also offers graduate coursework in five different technical areas. They have 11 NCAA Division II athletic teams and dozens of organizations on campus.
Blue Ridge Community & Technical College is a state-supported institution within the West Virginia Community and Technical College system. Blue Ridge offers over 40 associate degree and certification programs in areas such as Emergency Medical, Allied Health, Fire Safety, Nursing, Business, Technology, Paralegal, and General Studies. Their programs cater to high school students interested in getting a head start on their college education, as well as career-oriented adults who want to change careers. Many of their courses are now available online to allow flexibility and convenience. Blue Ridge also provides a range of Workforce Development solutions for businesses in the region.
Mountain State University is an independent university accredited through the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Mountain State provides flexible learning opportunities to working adults in fields such as Legal Studies, Business, Nursing, and Forensics, as well as three graduate programs.
James Rumsey Technical Institute serves the Eastern Panhandle and is dedicated to training high school students, high school graduates, and others who are interested in employment in vocational, technical and industrial career fields. Accredited through the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, James Rumsey offers include Automotive Technology, Criminal Justice, Graphic Communications, Masonry, and Welding. James Rumsey is home to the Regional Printing Institute, an educational collaborative program offered with Blue Ridge Community and Technical College.
West Virginia University Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center Eastern Divisionallows local residents to receive broad based medical education, with an emphasis on family medicine, primary care, and rural healthcare. The Eastern Division provides direct clinical experience to third and fourth-year medical students. Partnerships with Marshall University School of Medicine, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, Shepherd University, and Potomac State College help improve quality and access of healthcare to residents of the Eastern Panhandle.
Valley College of Technology is an accredited private business college in Martinsburg, offering Associate of Applied Science degrees in Business Administration and certification programs in Office Technology. VCT is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.
The American Public University System, headquartered in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, is a private higher education community comprised of two online learning institutions: American Public University (APU) and American Military University. The American Public University System is designed to better meet the needs of those interested in public service related programs, such as Criminal Justice, Public Safety, National Security and other adult learners seeking to advance their education through an online curriculum. American Public University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association and nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission, Distance Education and Training Council.