with few other colleges offering similar programs: interior design and radiologic science. Besides these two programs, other top majors at UC include English, sports administration, education, communications, accounting, nursing, and athletic training. Rankings In 2012, UC was ranked 14th by U.S. News & World Report for regional colleges in the South. In 2011, UC was the top ranked regional college in West Virginia, according to U.S. News & World Report. Graduate schools In 2006, UC opened its first doctoral program, the UC School of Pharmacy. In 2008, the university opened a graduate business school which grants four business master's degrees: Master of Business Administration and Leadership (MBAL), Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA), Executive Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Pharmaceutical & Healthcare Management (EMBA- PHM), and Executive Master of Forensic Accounting (EMFA). In 2012, the school announced a new Physician Assistant program. Athletics UC's athletic teams, known as the Golden Eagles, mostly compete in the Mountain East Conference (MEC) in NCAA Division II. In June 2012, UC was one of nine members of the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) that announced their plans to leave to form a new Division II conference. Two months later, the new conference was unveiled as the MEC, with UC as one of 12 charter members. The men's volleyball team, which was elevated from a club team to full varsity status for the 2015 season (2014–15 school year), plays at the National Collegiate (Division I/II) level; after playing in 2015 as an independent, it joined the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association. University of Charleston achieved its first division II national championship in men's soccer in 2017 defeating Lynn University in the finals. In 2005, UC entered into a partnership with the local school board to refurbish the school board–owned Laidley Field, which was renamed University of Charleston Stadium. The campus also boasts new or renovated softball, football, baseball, and soccer fields, and competes in 18 Division II sports. Notable alumni References External links University of Charleston Athletics website University of Charleston Educational institutions established in 1888 University of Charleston Education in Kanawha County, West Virginia Buildings and structures in Kanawha County, West Virginia Tourist attractions in Kanawha County, West Virginia 1888 establishments in West Virginia