West Chester University of Pennsylvania

700 South High Street
West Chester, PA 19383
610-436-1000
www.wcupa.edu

FALL 2020 ENROLLMENT

Undergraduate: 14,712
Graduate: 3,007
Total Headcount: 17,719

UNIVERSITY CON​TACTS
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FEATURE STORY
WCU Welcomes Inaugural Class of Physician Assistant Students

West Chester University welcomed the first students into the new Physician Assistant Program this July. The first 27 students, selected from more than 850 applicants, will obtain their M.S. in Physician Assistant (PA) Studies in August 2023. Students come from a range of backgrounds including physical therapy, athletic training, respiratory therapy, nutrition and dietetics, and EMTs. Among the individuals in this cohort are 12 in-state students and 15 from beyond Pennsylvania. Notes Amy Baker, PA Program Director, “Physician assistant training is extremely rigorous but the profession is very rewarding,” and is currently ranked as the #1 Best Job by U.S. News and World Reports. ​

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 Points of Pride

West Chester has one of the largest centralized geothermal heating and cooling systems in the United States. It saves $1 million annually and significantly reduces pollution.

The Sciences & Engineering Center and The Commons, West Chester's newest and largest academic building, opened in the fall of 2021 to accommodate the University’s rapidly growing health science programs, physics, and the new biomedical engineering program as well as a dining hall and student support spaces.

West Chester has consistently been awarded the designation of “military friendly school” by G.I. Jobs Magazine for creating an intentional culture of understanding, acceptance, and success for veterans, active military, and those who support them.

West Chester is a founder of the Amazon Center for Environmental Education and Research, fostering rain forest conservation, discovering new plant and animal species and new medicines, and supporting indigenous cultures.

The Business and Public Affairs Center achieved LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification for sustainability. The School of Music and Performing Arts Center and the renovated Mitchell Hall are both LEED Silver. 

 Notable Alumni

​Geno Auriemma ’81 - – Head women’s basketball coach at the University of Connecticut, member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Through March 29, 2021, Auriemma holds the record for the most NCAA Tournament wins by a coach — 126.​

​Jill Biden M’82 - noted educator and first lady of the United States, wife of President Joe Biden​

​Michael Brune ’93 - Executive Director of the Sierra Club

Tina Sloan Green ’66 – Co-founder of Black Women in Sport Foundation and former lacrosse coach, inducted into the U.S. Women’s National Field Hockey Hall of Fame, the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame, and the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame

Christopher Franklin ’87 – Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Essential Utilities, Inc. 

 University Rankings

Best Schools for Veterans
U.S. News and World Report