ISSUED: 15 February 2021
MEDIA CONTACT: Valerie Owens
SHEPHERDSTOWN, — The Shepherd University Board of Governors approved rate adjustments to graduate enrollment, Doctor of Nursing Practice enrollment, and housing and dining, and approved the new online degree program enrollment fee during its February 11 meeting. The university proposed no increases to base undergraduate tuition to the board for fall 2021, in consideration of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students and their families.
The graduate tuition (master’s degree programs) would increase 2.1 percent for in-state (to $485 from $475 per credit hour) and 4 percent for out-of-state students (to $717 from $689 per credit hour). The Doctor of Nursing Practice tuition would increase 4.5 percent (to $727 from $696 per credit hour). The tuition rate for the new online degree program was approved at $650 per credit hour, which is competitive regionally and with many West Virginia institutions. The online degree is an inclusive (flat) rate of tuition with no additional fees.
Room rates will have an average rate increase of 2.55 percent across Shepherd’s four housing styles. Traditional housing (Shaw and Thacher halls) will increase $59 per semester. Suite-style housing will increase $82 per semester. Potomac Place will increase $92 per semester. The apartments will increase $94 per semester.
Board rates will increase on average by 3.34 percent, based on Dining Services having re-engineered the meal plans for traditional residential students based on consultation with dining services partner Aramark. The changes include eliminating the Basic 19 and the Block 150 meal plans, as well as changing the Block 225 meal plan (225 meals per semester and $500 dining dollars) into the Gold Plan (21 meals per week and $300 dining dollars; meals can be used in any combination during the week). The Flex 14 meal plan (14 meals per week and $115 dining dollars) changes into the Blue Plan (15 meals per week and $300 dining dollars; meals can be used in any combination during the week).
In other business, the Board of Governors approved of the termination of Bachelor of Science degree in family and consumer sciences (FACS) and the endorsement/certification teaching field in family and consumer sciences education grades 5 to adult. Closing the FACS program will allow resources to be dedicated to the new Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition.
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