Morehead State University

I cannot in good faith recommend Morehead State to anybody looking for anything further than general education classes. The most blatant complaint that I always get caught up in is the faculty in the offices (not instructors for the most part) operate under distain for their jobs. Asking someone in administration at MSU to do their basic job duties is like asking for handouts or pulling teeth. Out of approximately 25 or more different instructors, I probably had 2-3 that I could actually recommend... Read More and would say are good at their jobs.

While attending Morehead State University I feel that my life was changed for the better. Through my classwork and professors I was able to grow both as a student and as an individual. While at Morehead State University I focused on special education and community supports, after graduating in may 2015 I was able to easily transition into a career in my field of study and am currently taking classes online to obtain a Masters degree. Overall my experience while at Morehead State University was outstanding... Read More and I would highly recommend this University to anyone who in search for a college with small town values and big school spirit.

Morehead State University's is located in the middle of the Daniel Boone National Forest. Campus is simply gorgeous. The lawn is always neatly manicured and the Appalachian foothills provide a picturesque backdrop to daily student life. If you enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, and rock climbing then Morehead would compliment your interests. The university has private hiking trails that connect with national and state trail systems; a private lake know as Eagle Lake were students can... Read More fish, hike, or picnic; and MSU is also adjacent to Cave Run Lake. However, for those interested in nightlife Morehead would probably disappoint. The town has 2 small bars that host live music regularly; however, the music selections are not very diverse and after a few weekends you will probably hear everything the town has to offer. Most students visit Lexington, Kentucky or Huntington, WV, both of which are about an hour drive from Morehead, to take in a larger variety of entertainment. Living in Morehead is very affordable. Rent and utilities are fairly low if you choose to live off campus, although you’re likely to encounter a bit of a commute, probably less than 10 minutes, for the cheaper housing options. Unlike most university towns, there is no large gated apartment complex to accommodate off campus students. Apartments fill quickly and it would be best to look into housing options as soon as possible. Also important to know, properties near the university sell and rent higher than most other housing in town. If living on campus there are a few different options for graduate students. The majority of housing is standard dorm or suite housing, but there are some on campus apartments available. All housing is shared and the past few years the university population has grown so rapidly that they have had to put extra people in rooms, making the living situation uncomfortably cramped. Tuition to the graduate program is also affordable. Students pay one rate regardless of the class taken or state residency status. This makes Morehead more affordable to out-of-state residents. The university also offers many opportunities for funding primarily in the form of Graduate Assistantships, which provide a $10,000 a year stipend. To qualify you must be accepted to the university, enrolled in at least 9 credit hours, and maintain a 3.0 GPA in graduate courses. Usually GAs try to work in their academic department, but there are positions in almost every area of the university many of which provide great job experience for careers outside academia. In the department of Sociology, Social Work, and Criminology GAs are not assigned a particular function, such as researching or teaching, but instead will most likely be required to do a variety of these tasks, as well as grading papers, assisting students, or performing regular office-type tasks. The biggest downside to the graduate program at Morehead is that there is no tuition waiver for Graduate Assistants. However, the stipend is enough to completely cover tuition and most class materials. Students may choose to augment living expenses with loans or by working part time at another job. Most classes are at night after normal working hours or online and GA hours are often very flexible. The M.A. program in Sociology is flexible and designed primarily for individuals pursuing careers outside academia. The department offers graduate level concentrations in General Sociology, Criminology, Sociology and Regional Analysis, and Gerontology. The department’s strongest areas of research are in Rural Sociology, Criminology, and Gender and Sexuality. Class sizes are small and offer plenty of opportunity for discussion. Graduate advisors are usually helpful and receptive. The department is quite small, so there is less interdepartmental politics to deal with, i.e. you probably will not get stonewalled for working with the “wrong person” like you would at universities with larger departments. The department and university offer funding for students who present at conferences; expenses are usually completely covered. Morehead State is not a highly competitive school, if you are looking for a top tier “big name” program this university is not for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a program that can be highly individualized, a career outside academia, or professors who will really work to help you succeed Morehead State University is the perfect place.