Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Software Engineers For Applications
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at West Virginia University, West Virginia State University, and Mountain State University.
Fastest Response From Schools
- Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.
Student Body
- Part-Time: For schools emphasizing part-time studies, consider West Virginia State University and West Virginia University.
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Mountain State University and West Virginia Wesleyan College.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Huntington Junior College and Mountain State University.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of Bethany, Davis & Elkins, West Virginia University, and Mountain State University.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Davis & Elkins, Bethany, West Virginia Wesleyan College, and Alderson Broaddus.
Excellence
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Alderson Broaddus, Davis & Elkins, BCTC, and Bethany.
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
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American Military University • Charles Town, WV
Studying Humanities (completion in 2010)
• 12/18/2011
"I got to read, discuss and write about very interesting subjects. As that was my entire goal, the process was very satisfying."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | Humanities trains students to see situations, people, and events, from multiple perspectives. That is precisely what is required when working with computer systems and the people who use them. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | This is purely a personal assessment, since I've never bothered to care much how others rate education. My criterion is whether or not I learned. |
| Program Quality | 10 | I was able to complete the MA degree online by reading and writing. Since I already had a Master of Science, the Humanities degree was for personal satisfaction. |
| Instruction | 9 | All my instructors were PhDs from major universities. They ran a tight ship and did not give automatic top marks just for showing up. |
| How Difficult | 9 | We had to read, comprehend, and write coherently about major works in philosophy, literature, religion and science. I was grateful for the rigor and the chance to do so. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | One reads, discusses and writes. That is the essence of "lecture and lab" in the humanities. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | As long as the work required was turned in on time, students were free to study where and when they liked. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | Overall, I'd rate the resources as good or better than most state university systems. |
| Social Life | I didn't participate and cannot say. | |
| Placement Services | I have no idea. | |
| Alumni Network | 5 | AMU seems to have a strong alumni organization. I've never had to avail myself of their services, however. |
Wheeling Jesuit University • Wheeling, WV
Studying Computer Science (completion in 1989)
• 3/13/2012
"WJU is a liberal arts institution, so I feel I came out of school extremely well-rounded. I could have probably picked a better school for my degree requirements, but overall, I'm happy I attended WJU."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I've stayed in touch with a few of my professors, and know that the program is stronger now than it was in the late '80s. I would not hesitate in recommending WJU to someone pursuing a career in a Computer Science-related industry. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | Computer science is not the main program at WJU, so it is not looked on as a feeder for that industry. The reputation of the school as a whole is good. |
| Program Quality | 8 | The software/hardware at the time was inadequate, but the instructors and school were top notch. The program has upgraded everything since I left, so it is in much better shape than in the late '80s. |
| Instruction | 9 | Great professors, very small classes. You received all of the attention that you needed to become proficient in software engineering. |
| How Difficult | 8 | Challenging but not impossible. The classes were all relevant to my profession. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | A lot of labs were involved in my degree. However, some classes were very book oriented. It was a good mix. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 6 | Good on a whole. Some classes were only offered once a year, so you had to schedule around them if absolutely required for degree completion. |
| Academic Facilities | 4 | At the time, woefully inadequate. The last year I was there, we finally received IBM-PC's, having done all our work on Apple IIe's for my first three years there. |
| Social Life | 7 | My social experience there was good. Numerous activities and social events kept me busy. |
| Placement Services | 5 | I never used it, but I hear that their job placement is adequate. Friends have experienced mixed results. |
| Alumni Network | 3 | Pretty much nonexistent. I've only attended 2 alumni events in 23 years. |
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