Shepherd University
Shepherdstown, United States • Founded 1871
Overview
Founded in 1871, the Shepherd University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the small town of Shepherdstown (population range of under 2,500 inhabitants), West Virginia.
Officially accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Shepherd University is a small-sized coeducational US higher education institution. Shepherd University offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.
This 152-year-old US higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades. The acceptance rate range is 90-99% making this US higher education organization a least selective institution.
International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.
Shepherd University also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Below are the location pin, postal details, and primary contact methods for Shepherd University. International applicants should account for postal mail processing time when sending physical documents.
Academic Details
A snapshot of Shepherd University's academic profile — enrolment, staffing, and the bodies recognising its work. Useful as a benchmark when comparing against peer institutions or national leaders.
Academic Structures
The departmental layout below shows how Shepherd University groups subjects, faculties, and teaching units. Subject grouping reflects institutional priorities, research strengths, and historical evolution.
Unit 4 items
- School of Arts and Humanities
- School of Business and Social Sciences
- School of Education and professional Studies
- School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Programs Offered
Shepherd University's teaching offering by degree level. Programmes archived in past intakes may still appear on search engines; the live list here is the current source of truth.
Bachelor's Degree
33 programmes
Browse 33 programmes at Shepherd University for undergraduate entry. Each combines core theory with the credits needed to progress toward honours or a master's.
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Performing Arts
International/Globalization Studies Liberal Arts
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies Sport and Exercise Science
Chemistry Chemistry
Psychology, General Psychology
Criminal Justice and Corrections Criminal Law & Justice
Social Work Social Work
Economics Economics
Political Science and Government Politics & International Relations
Sociology Social & Cultural Studies
Nutrition Sciences Liberal Arts
Fine and Studio Arts Visual Arts
Music Music
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General Health Sciences
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Nursing
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Accounting and Related Services Accounting
History History
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Education & Teaching
Natural Resources Conservation and Research Forestry & Natural Resources
Area Studies Social & Cultural Studies
Communication and Media Studies Communication Studies
Computer and Information Sciences, General Computer Sciences
Computer Engineering Electrical Engineering
Engineering Science General Engineering
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General Family & Consumer Science
Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services Family & Consumer Science
English Language and Literature, General English Language Studies
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Liberal Arts
Biology, General Biological Sciences
Mathematics Mathematics
Applied Mathematics Mathematics
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Master's Degree
7 programmes
Shepherd University lists 7 programmes awarding a master's — the tier where graduates build the specialist credentials many senior and technical roles now expect.
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Area Studies Social & Cultural Studies
Computer Software and Media Applications Digital Media & Game Development
Education, General Education & Teaching
Curriculum and Instruction Education & Teaching
Student Counseling and Personnel Services Education & Teaching
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Education & Teaching
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Professional Doctorate
1 programme
There are 1 programme to choose from at Shepherd University for doctoral candidates. A PhD or equivalent typically takes three or more years of supervised, independent research.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Nursing
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Associate, Certificate & Other Qualifications
11 programmes
This group collects Shepherd University's 11 programmes of certificates, diplomas, and foundation or associate programmes — practical entry points or stepping stones toward a degree.
International/Globalization Studies Liberal Arts
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness Sport and Exercise Science
Public Administration Public Administration
Health and Medical Administrative Services Healthcare Administration
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Nursing
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Agricultural and Food Products Processing Agriculture
Area Studies Social & Cultural Studies
Student Counseling and Personnel Services Education & Teaching
Agricultural Business and Management Agriculture
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies English Language Studies
No programmes match your filter in this level.
How to apply to Shepherd University
Practical steps to apply to Shepherd University, suitable as a starting checklist before contacting the admissions team directly.
- 1 Research programmes at Shepherd University
Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. Shepherd University offers 52 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.
- 2 Review admissions criteria
Each programme at Shepherd University has its own entry requirements — academic minimums, language proficiency, supporting documents, and sometimes interviews or portfolios. Check the programme-specific page or contact admissions to confirm eligibility.
- 3 Gather supporting documents
Most applications require certified academic records, identification documents, language test certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent for English-medium programmes), CV/résumé, and a statement of purpose. Allow extra time for document authentication.
- 4 Lodge your application
Apply directly via Shepherd University's online portal at www.shepherd.edu. Complete the application form, upload supporting documents, and pay any application fee. Confirmation emails typically arrive within a few business days.
- 5 Confirm receipt and track progress
After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. Reach the institution by phone at +1 (304) 876 5000. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shepherd University
Common questions students ask about Shepherd University — answers pulled straight from the institution's published profile.
When was Shepherd University founded?
Shepherd University was established in 1871 (approximately 155 years ago).
What city is Shepherd University in?
Shepherd University operates from Shepherdstown, United States.
What is Shepherd University's control type?
Shepherd University operates as a public institution.
How big is Shepherd University's student body?
Shepherd University serves approximately 3,000-3,999 students.
What is Shepherd University's academic structure?
Shepherd University has 4 academic units.
Is Shepherd University officially recognised?
Yes, Shepherd University is recognised by Higher Learning Commission.
How do I find Shepherd University online?
Shepherd University's official website is www.shepherd.edu.
Top-Ranked Universities in the United States
International student mix at the United States's top universities tends to be higher than at lower-ranked institutions. This affects campus culture and the value of student networks for international students.
Members of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
Beyond Shepherd University, these universities also belong to National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) — useful for students who weight inter-institutional partnerships, exchange programmes, or shared accreditation frameworks. Membership networks often translate into practical student benefits.
Faculties at Nearby Universities
Nearby institutions to Shepherd University often share sports, residence, and student-life facilities through regional consortia. The shared infrastructure can shape your day-to-day experience meaningfully.
Where Else to Study Education & Teaching
Faculty publication output for Education & Teaching researchers at each the United States institution signals research-active culture. Active publication usually correlates with funded supervision capacity.
Universities Often Compared with Shepherd University
Joint research consortia among universities at Shepherd University's level — shared grants, co-supervision arrangements — make peer institutions natural collaborators rather than just competitors.
