Martinsburg’s north end will be the location of Shepherd University’s new Martinsburg Center.

Shepherd plans to offer a full range of classes at the Martinsburg Center beginning the fall semester 2013, with the possibility of a limited number of classes being offered this summer. Located in the new Berkeley Commons building at 261 Aikens Center just off Edwin Miller Boulevard, Shepherd’s new center is designed to serve adult learners.

Taking into consideration the needs of working adult students who are juggling career and family, Shepherd’s Martinsburg Center will offer courses in education and the popular credit-for-experience degree, the Regents Bachelor of Arts. Master’s program offerings will include courses in the M.B.A., with concentrations in accounting, health care administration, and public administration, and courses in the M.A. program in curriculum and instruction with emphasis on special education.

“As the Eastern Panhandle’s longtime public university, Shepherd is well positioned to address the business community’s need for employees with bachelor’s and master’s degrees,” said President Suzanne Shipley. “Our new Martinsburg Center will effectively serve the area’s non-traditional students. The center will deliver Shepherd’s outstanding academic instruction to the region while offering a convenient location, flexible hours, and affordable price.”

The Martinsburg Center, located near restaurants and other conveniences, is easily accessible from Interstate 81. Shepherd will occupy two and a half floors of the three-story building, which has generous on-site parking.

Shepherd is now completing the process of hiring a center director, who will oversee daily operations including scheduling, facility operations, planning, enrollment, and delivery of the center’s educational services. The director, who will work directly with students, faculty, and industry stakeholders to plan and execute academic programs and services, will be working from a temporary Martinsburg location through spring 2013. The director will partner with the community to identify the classes most needed by area businesses to be included in future course offerings at the Martinsburg Center.