Academics

The Office of Graduate Education and Life is now accepting submissions for the WVU 3-Minute Thesis Competition, which challenges graduate students to present their research in 180 seconds using just one slide. Submissions will be accepted through Thursday, February 13 at 11:59 p.m.

Competitors must succinctly pitch their research to audience members and judges who have no background experience in their research area. This provides graduate students the opportunity to gain valuable experience pitching their academic research in preparation for job interviews, networking engagements and grant-funding agencies, among other opportunities.

Judging criteria is based on comprehension, engagement and communication. Tiered cash prizes will be awarded to finalists without any obligation for future work or service.

A panel of judges will review submissions and select finalists to compete in the WVU grand finale competition to be held on Thursday, April 10 from 6–8 p.m.

The winner from WVU will advance to compete in the regional competition at the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools. First and second place regional winners will move on to the national showcase.

The 3-Minute Thesis competition was founded by The University of Queensland, Australia and is now held in over 900 universities across more than 85 countries worldwide.

View eligibility requirements and competition rules on the Graduate Education and Life website.

For questions, contact Betty Mei, program director for graduate student success, at bmei@wvu.edu.

South Africa Study Abroad Opportunity - May 21 – June 4, 2025 - Faculty Led

Are you looking for a meaningful way to spend the first part of your summer? Join our faculty-led two-week program in South Africa based at Stellenbosch University, near Cape Town. You'll gain hands-on field experience working with local foresters and scientists while exploring the region's diverse forests.

This program combines professional forestry experience with an incredible journey through South Africa where you will learn about forest management and conservation at Stellenbosch, then travel the Garden Route where you'll experience South Africa's stunning landscapes - from national parks and beaches to a safari where we'll search for the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo).

Earn course credit while gaining international experience. This small group program is a collaboration with the School of Education, creating an opportunity to be part of a larger university group exploring South Africa.
Scholarship opportunities are available - deadlines approaching quickly!

Space is limited and the deadline to sign up is Feb. 1. Learn more by visiting the WVU Abroad website.

The WVU Office of Accessibility Services will now be known as the Office of Student Accommodations, a name change designed to better reflect its role on campus. 

The office is housed in a new location on the fifth floor of Hodges Hall.

Students interested in learning more about WVU’s Athletic Training Master’s degree are invited to attend a virtual information session at 6 p.m. on Jan. 21 on Zoom. 

Sessions are intended for college seniors planning to apply to begin the program in June 2025. Sessions will also appeal to college juniors, sophomores and first-year students interested in exploring the degree or the admissions process for applying.

The WVU Division of Occupational Therapy invites prospective students to learn more about their programs at a virtual information session at 6 p.m. on Jan. 22 via Zoom. 

Sessions are intended for college students planning to apply to the Master of Occupational Therapy program or the Occupational Therapy Doctorate. Sessions will also appeal to all college-level students interested in exploring the degrees or the admissions process for applying.

Students interested in learning more about the WVU School of Medicine’s Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Master’s degree are invited to attend a virtual open house on January 23 at 4 p.m. via Zoom. 

Sessions are intended for college seniors and graduates who have majored in Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Immunology or another related science degree and would be applying for the class that begins in January 2026. This master’s degree is intended for those with science degrees who want to work in a clinical laboratory setting and is not intended for those who are already certified as an MLS. 

Applications are now being accepted for the 2025 Summer Undergraduate Research Experience. WVU students from all majors, especially those interested in research as a career, are encouraged to apply.

Selected students will complete research projects and enroll in a one-credit-hour research class from May 27 to July 25. Participating students receive a stipend of $5,000.

The deadline to apply is March 1.

For additional information, visit the Office of Undergraduate Research website.

Start your summer with the trip of a lifetime AND earn course credit. Aotearoa, or New Zealand, is one of the last places on Earth settled by humans. The native Māori first arrived around 1300, and the first Europeans in 1769. Today, the Māori language and culture is promoted on the national and local level and is one of the draws of New Zealand’s bustling tourism industry.