West Virginia State University Online

This course will serve as an exploration of historical and current issues related to educational leadership, with an emphasis on legal and ethical issues including social justice, human rights, fairness, and equity. Students apply principles of leadership, ethics, and critical thinking while examining approaches to conceptualizing, interpreting, and making operational social justice.

(1 Credit Hour) A course designed to prepare adult learners for the transition back into academic study. In addition to strengthening career and life goal development, students will acquire management skills, appreciate support systems, and develop a plan of study. This course addresses specific issues and theories related to adult learners.

This course examines, from a comparative approach, the criminal justice field and profession as tradition, philosophy, and practice in criminal law, law enforcement, courts, and corrections, as it exists in a variety of countries and cultures around the world.

This course prepares prospective educational leaders to administer various school programs for diverse student populations.  Emphasis will be given to basic concepts, issues, regulations, problems and procedures in the management of special and compensatory education. Also included will be state and federal legislation and court decisions pertaining to diverse pupil populations.

(3 credit hours) The first in a three-course sequence providing students with a foundation in theory and a review of the accounting cycle, including preparing time-value money calculations and financial statements. The course includes an in-depth study of generally accepted accounting principles as they apply to cash, receivables and inventories. Comparisons with International Financial Reporting Standards will be introduced as appropriate.

Prerequisite: BA 216 with a grade of C or better.

(3 Credit Hours) This course examines the nongovernmental, private-sector practice of protecting people, property, and information, conducting investigations, and otherwise safeguarding an organization’s assets, which may be performed for an organization by an internal department (proprietary security) or by an external, hired firm or individual (contract security). Prerequisites: C J 101, 223, 224, 225, 226, 307, and 308

An exploration of historical and current issues related to educational leadership, with an emphasis on legal and ethical issues including social justice, human rights, fairness and equity. This course is designed to provide advanced exposure to current research and practice in leading for equity and inclusion within professional educational settings. This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of leadership, ethics, and critical thinking examining various approaches to conceptualizing, interpreting, and making operational social justice. The course design includes a review of the historical development of the concept of social justice in an interdisciplinary manner. The course will provide students with a strong conceptual foundation in leadership theories that enhance equity in terms of access, student outcomes, and institutional culture, with an emphasis on application of leadership approaches to real world administrative settings in educational and human service contexts. The orientation of the course is toward enabling individuals to reflect on their personal thoughts, development, and moral practice, to determine ethical frameworks from which their decisions are influenced, and to analyze and critique social issues in various contexts. The course is practice oriented and utilizes class discussion, personal reflections, and case studies in leadership to prepare students for taking actions in their own practice that promote equity and inclusion.

This 3 Credit Hours course provides an introduction into the functional disciplines of Business Administration: Accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing and Information Systems. The course provides a survey of the disciplines and will assist a student in choosing an area of concentration studies leading to a degree in Business Administration. The course will begin to build the skills necessary for a successful career in Business.

Introduction, definitions, social forces, classifications and sources of civil law. Fundamental principles of commercial law which relate to common business transactions and occurrences based upon contractual agreements. Theoretical and practical emphasis on the rights, duties, powers and privileges incident to oral and written contracts. Analysis of the essential elements of a valid and enforceable contract. Prerequisite(s): Eligible for ENGL 101. (This course fulfills the General Education requirement in American Traditions)

To introduce students to the basic concepts in the organization and management of institutions. Emphasis is placed on managing in a contemporary context including planning, organizing, leading, and controlling while adjusting to change and maintaining effective performance.

(3 credit hours) An introduction to the federal taxation of individuals. This course is designed to introduce students to personal income tax procedures. A conceptual approach is emphasized. Specific topics will include but are not limited to: basic tax models, tax laws, tax computation, gross income, deductions, depreciation and ethics

(3 credit hours) The first in a three-course sequence providing students with a foundation in theory and a review of the accounting cycle, including preparing time-value money calculations and financial statements. The course includes an in-depth study of generally accepted accounting principles as they apply to cash, receivables and inventories. Comparisons with International Financial Reporting Standards will be introduced as appropriate.

Prerequisite: BA 216 with a grade of C or better.

A comprehensive, issues based examination of the Earth’s environment, and humanity’s impact on it. Students will complete group discussions on various topics in environmental biology, and a laboratory experience consisting of a series of independent problems in environmental biology, in addition to mastering the standard lecture material. Does not count toward a major in Biology. 

This course will teach some theories and the supporting evidence related to them concerning the following biological topics:

• The fundamental nature of life • The chemical and physical nature of living systems

• The flow of energy through living systems

• The dynamic nature of the environment • The organization of living systems in the natural world and their interrelations with each other and the environment

• Human relationships to the natural world

These topics do not comprise the whole of environmental science. The field is very broad and deep and cannot be covered in a single course. The selection of these topics represents a Page 3 of 17 compromise intended to develop a background of insight and understanding which will prepare you to confront some of the important environmental issues of our time.

(3 Credit Hours) A study of the law of juvenile delinquency and the administration of the juvenile justice system. Examines the historical development of the concept of delinquency, and the special status of juveniles before the law. Surveys the major theories of delinquency. Considers the legal processing of abuse, neglect and dependency cases.

This course is designed to cover the issues related to the development of appropriate professional research techniques, document development, written and oral communications in law enforcement, courts, and corrections. Students will concentrate on the development of proper research skills involving professional and peer reviewed resources in various formats. The students will engage in a variety of criminal justice writing formats, including policy analysis, regulation creation, legislation development, and case studies. They will refine their utilization of a criminal justice style sheet.

(Three Credit Hours) This course is designed to provide the instruction in the study of crimes, including major crimes, crimes against person, crimes against property, conspiracy, elements of proof, and the processes and procedures involved.

(3 Credit hours) This course combines economic theory with geography to address critical problems of growth, distribution, and development, along with their impact on international business. It introduces the student to the global economy in an era of shifting borders, restructuring economies, and regional realignments. Recent geopolitical changes are vividly portrayed in a series of superb full-color maps and striking photographs.

This course explores standard and emergent technologies related to effective instruction and administrative operations within a school. Reliable and effective web-based communication and modalities of e-learning are examined, including the development of a school technology plan. This course will provide students with both the theoretical and the practical considerations for planning and implementing technology in public education settings. This course is designed so that students will gain an understanding of the role of the principal in moving beyond short-term thinking and helping schools move forward with technology

(3 credit hours) An introduction to research methods in educational settings. This course will allow students to determine how data can be used to make instructional decisions at the classroom, building, and district level.

(3 credit hours) This course primarily focuses on the research writing process for a broad academic community. It covers basic research inquiry, use of the library with electronic and nonelectronic sources and techniques of formal writing. Attention is given to argumentation and critical thinking skills.

(3 Credit Hours) This class is a continuation of Information Design I. Applying the theories and principles of information design learned in Information Design I, students will work on a client-directed project. Student will also learn about theories and principles of website design and practice creating and managing websites. Prerequisite: English 412 (Information Design I).

Designed to inform, interest and motivate students toward good health as it relates to effective, productive and satisfying living. We will look at health as a dynamic, ever-changing process of trying to achieve individual potential in the physical, mental, social, emotional, spiritual and environmental dimensions. 2 Credit Hours

(3 credit hours) This course is designed to be an introductory experience for the research consumer as well as the research producer in the health sciences. This course emphasizes developing conceptual understanding of using the scientific method as a means of problem solving, both as a critical consumer and as an entry-level researcher.

3 Credit Hour Course – This course examines social issues and challenges in rural health with emphasis on morbidity and mortality status among rural populations, health disparities, health hazards, health care, environmental health and food insecurity. Prerequisite(s): HHP 354.

A detailed approach to portfolio development for the Regents Bachelor of Arts degree through the assessment of work and life experience. Students will learn to select, categorize and document various forms of personal and professional achievement and experiences. The course is required for anyone interested in pursuing the portfolio option in a specified academic content area.

(3 Credit Hours)  This is a lecture/discussion/creating course that surveys objects of art in the student’s environment and proceeds from the comfortable and familiar to the international. The course uses lecture, discussion, and student participation to introduce the basic concepts of Art and Art History.

This course examines ways to preserve bat populations and habitats in suburban areas

(3 credit hours) A course designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of how a free-market economy works as individuals make microeconomic decisions of their own based on cost-benefit principle. Discussions of the cyclical nature of GDP production, joblessness, cost of living, interest rates, public debt and deficits will be included.

This course focuses on using National, State, District and School data to improve teaching and learning, including improving the achievement of identified low-achieving groups.

Pre-requisites: Approved entry into the West Virginia State University’s Master’s in Instruction Educational leadership program.

(3 credit hours) This course explores change theory and its application to the school setting. Candidates will identify and explore emerging trends and issues in the change process with emphasis on sustaining innovation through reculturing and ongoing professional learning and development.

Prerequisites: Approved entry into the West Virginia State University’s Master’s in Instruction Educational leadership program.

(3 Credit Hours) An overview of personal and family financial planning with an emphasis on financial record-keeping, planning your spending, tax planning, consumer credit, making buying decisions, purchasing insurance, selecting investments, and retirement and estate planning. 

Prerequisite(s): ENGL 101 and eligibility for MATH 111.

(1 - 6 Credit Hours) Placement of business students in various businesses and industries in the community for the purpose of gaining onthe-job training and experience. (Graded on Pass-Fail basis except in teacher education. This course fulfills the academic capstone requirement for Business Education majors.) 

Prerequisite(s): Completion of minimum of 90 semester hours and the approval of the supervising instructor and department chair.

(3 credit hours) This course will introduce the student to the study of serial killers including the history and types of serial killers. The methodology of the investigative process involving profiling of serial killers as well as the many aspects of these types of homicide/murder investigations will be covered. To further enhance the student’s understanding of homicide/murder, this course will incorporate interdisciplinary knowledge from the fields of criminology, sociology, history, psychology and political science. (No prerequisites)

(3 Credit Hours) An introduction to the basic technical and aesthetic elements of the art of film. The class will examine the nature of cinema and its relation to our culture and our lives through analysis of its many components.

This course focuses on using National, State, District and School data to improve teaching and learning, including improving the achievement of identified low-achieving groups.

Pre-requisites: Approved entry into the West Virginia State University’s Master’s in Instruction Educational leadership program.

This field-based practicum will allow candidates to apply knowledge of educational leadership, educational law and policy, change, innovation, professional development, financial and human resource management, and data-based decision making for school and district improvement.

(3 credit hours) This is a practical course in action research. Students will conduct an action research project based on an identified need in a public school setting and present it to their peers.

(3 Credit Hours) This course primarily focuses on the research writing process for a broad academic community. It covers basic research inquiry, use of the library with electronic and nonelectronic sources and techniques of formal writing. Attention is given to argumentation and critical thinking skills. Prerequisite(s): ENGL 101.

(3 Credit Hours) A study of poetry, fiction and drama. The course stresses basic themes and formal elements found in literature. Prerequisite(s): ENGL 101 placement.

(3 Hours) This course is designed to prepare the student with the personal training knowledge, skills, and abilities set forth by the NSCA. Emphasis on course content will be in nutrition and the role of personal trainer, latest guidelines for client assessment, flexibility training, cardiovascular exercise prescription, stability ball training, and periodization training. The course will also address exercise prescription with special populations, aerobic and anaerobic exercise techniques, and resistance training load. The course will also familiarize and enable the student to be able to instructor in the NSCA standards of exercise and fitness protocols standards and protocols set forth by the department of education in its physical fitness component.

(3 Credit Hours) This course includes an intensive study of the use of research methods in psychology. Additional topics include ethics, effective library utilization, professional writing and oral presentations. Students devise individual research projects to develop necessary skills in these areas. Prerequisite(s): PSYC 151, 175, 200 or permission of instructor.