Washington State University

Offering a total of 95 degree programs for undergraduates, 76 degrees at the graduate level and 66 programs conferring doctoral degrees, Washington State University is a thriving institution. It's widely recognized as one of the top research universities in the nation. In fact, WSU is among the exclusive 108 colleges designated by the Carnegie Classification, because of its "very high research activity."

Washington State University was founded in 1890 at Pullman, Washington after a land grant authorized by Governor Elisha Ferry. Originally focusing on agricultural and other sciences, the college's offerings expanded over the decades to encompass the arts, humanities and many other disciplines. The school also expanded its reach to other Washington communities and eventually developed a large presence online. Today WSU's Global Campus ranks 12th in the nation, according to The Best Schools consortium. Thanks to faculty members that are leaders in their fields, a history of academic excellence and an overall high quality educational experience, students who graduate from an online degree program at Washington State University can expect a bright future.

Washington State University Accreditation Details

As a reputable educational institution, WSU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. This accreditation assures students that they will have a rigorous and worthwhile educational experience that will fully prepare them for the challenges of today's global marketplace. In addition, many of WSU's various colleges have received credentials from accrediting bodies that are specific to their discipline. For instance, the particularly robust College of Business has received additional accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Washington State University Application Requirements

Undergraduate candidates who are seeking admission to an on campus degree program must complete application requirements by January 31 for enrollment in the fall semester or by November 15 to join the spring semester. An online application form is required along with a nominal application fee. Students enrolling as freshmen must submit high school transcripts and ACT or SAT test scores. Adult students may also be required to provide a resume and essay.

Those hoping to attend the college's Global Campus must apply before the end of July for fall admission. Similarly, application materials must be received by early December for those hoping to attend online classes in the spring. Though the deadlines are different for online students, the overall admissions process is the same. Students must fill out the online application form, pay the fee and provide any necessary supporting documents.

Applications for on campus and Global Campus graduate and doctoral degree programs adhere to January deadlines for the fall semester and July deadlines for spring. Students must already possess a baccalaureate degree with a grade point average of 3.0. Transcripts must be submitted with the application form. Depending upon the specific program for which they are applying, students may also be required to submit GRE or GMAT scores. Letters of recommendation from professional or academic references are also required.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition costs at Washington State University depend largely upon the chosen campus. In state students enrolling on the Pullman campus will pay approximately $570 per credit hour at the undergraduate level while out of state students can expect to pay roughly twice that amount. At the graduate level students will pay nearly $600 per credit hour for on campus classes if they are from Washington. Out of state graduate students can expect to pay approximately $1,300 per credit hour. Global Campus students benefit from reduced tuition expenses. Students pay $500 per credit hour for undergraduate programs while graduate students pay slightly more than $500 for each credit hour.

Financial aid is available for all qualifying students. Those who enroll in at least five credit hours may be eligible to receive financial aid if that amount of credits is considered at least half time.

Online Degrees Available

Washington State University offers a diverse array of online educational experiences at the undergraduate and graduate level. Baccalaureate degrees in accounting and management are particularly popular. Accounting students receive an especially thorough education as they must receive certification in business administration before they begin work in the advanced level accounting courses. WSU's accounting program is one of only a few in the U.S. to be accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, ensuring students of a truly worthwhile learning experience and credentials that will be respected in every field.

Students who enroll in the undergraduate Management program may choose between two concentrations: Innovation and Change, which focuses on e-commerce, and Human Resource Management. Regardless of which specialization they choose, Management students must complete certain core courses relating to financial management, marketing and business strategy.

Another popular online undergraduate program is Management Information Systems. This hi-tech focused degree prepares students to manage IT systems. Attendees receive basic business training in courses like accounting, business law, statistics and economics. They may then move on to the core requirements for the degree, which include the analysis and design of IT systems and data management. Students also select a number of electives in the Information Systems and Business areas.

Online graduate degrees are similarly diverse. The online MBA program is considered one of the best in the nation. With full time enrollment it's possible to complete the degree in 22 months. Students focus their learning in one of four areas: Finance, International Business, Marketing and Hospitality Business Management. This allows students to tailor their educational pursuits to their specific field of interest.

Students in the online master's program for Engineering and Business Professionals will be preparing themselves to take on a leadership role in any number of flourishing industries. Those who enroll in the program gain hands-on experience with project management, manufacturing design, supply chain management and the theory of constraints. This degree program has been carefully created to accommodate working professionals who are holding down a full time job. Accordingly, the class schedule is flexible with most participants logging in to complete assignments on an asynchronous basis. However, real time attendance may occasionally be required. Students in the program find that their classroom activities can be directly applied to their current working situation, making for a particularly useful educational experience.

With its impressive array of degree programs, it's easy to see why students from around the world choose Washington State University.