West Virginia State University may add a master's degree program in law enforcement and administration, university President Hazo Carter Jr. said Tuesday.

Earlier this month, the school's board of governors approved exploring whether to add such a master's program, Carter told students, faculty and staff during his annual "State of State" address in Prince Ahmed Williams Auditorium, Ferrell Hall, on the Institute campus.

The program is designed for people who already work in law enforcement, managers in other criminal-justice fields, and undergraduate students.

"We envision starting this program in the fall of 2010," criminal justice Chairwoman Gail Flint said later Tuesday.

About 300 students major in criminal justice at the undergraduate level, Flint said. "We had many requests from students and from people who are working in the field who would like something like this," Flint said. "It's definitely needed in this area."

Students will take some theoretical courses, but most of the coursework will be applied classes specifically geared toward administration, she said.

Also in his address Tuesday, Carter said he would periodically meet with students at the student union for "Conversations with the President."

He encouraged them to bring their thoughts on academics, sports and anything else. "All concerns and suggestions will be taken seriously," he said.

The school has more than 4,000 students, and applications to the university jumped significantly in the spring, Carter said in the address.

This spring, State received 1,640 applications, up 46 percent from last year, according to figures provided by university spokeswoman Pat Dickinson.

 Reach Alison Knezevich at

alis...@wvgazette.com or 348-1240.

About 92 percent of State students are West Virginia residents, Carter said. Seventy percent come from Kanawha County, and 10 percent from Putnam.

The school also draws students from 42 states and Washington, D.C., and seven other countries.

West Virginia State University may add a master's degree program in law enforcement and administration, university President Hazo Carter Jr. said Tuesday.

Earlier this month, the school's board of governors approved exploring whether to add such a master's program, Carter told students, faculty and staff during his annual "State of State" address in Prince Ahmed Williams Auditorium, Ferrell Hall, on the Institute campus.

The program is designed for people who already work in law enforcement, managers in other criminal-justice fields, and undergraduate students.

"We envision starting this program in the fall of 2010," criminal justice Chairwoman Gail Flint said later Tuesday.

About 300 students major in criminal justice at the undergraduate level, Flint said. "We had many requests from students and from people who are working in the field who would like something like this," Flint said. "It's definitely needed in this area."

Students will take some theoretical courses, but most of the coursework will be applied classes specifically geared toward administration, she said.

Also in his address Tuesday, Carter said he would periodically meet with students at the student union for "Conversations with the President."

He encouraged them to bring their thoughts on academics, sports and anything else. "All concerns and suggestions will be taken seriously," he said.

The school has more than 4,000 students, and applications to the university jumped significantly in the spring, Carter said in the address.

This spring, State received 1,640 applications, up 46 percent from last year, according to figures provided by university spokeswoman Pat Dickinson.

 Reach Alison Knezevich at

alis...@wvgazette.com or 348-1240.

About 92 percent of State students are West Virginia residents, Carter said. Seventy percent come from Kanawha County, and 10 percent from Putnam.

The school also draws students from 42 states and Washington, D.C., and seven other countries.