Regents Bachelor of Arts

Welcome to Non-Traditional Degree Programs / Regents Bachelor of Arts

The Regents Bachelor of Arts (RBA) degree program is the university’s only nontraditional degree. The degree, designed especially for adults, allows students to enter the program four years after high school graduation.   Offered at all four-year public colleges and universities of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, the Regents degree permits students to use options not always available to traditional students.

In addition to earning credits through the conventional manner, Regents BA students can try to use work or training experiences to receive credit. They can also take CLEP or DANTES  tests( standardized tests) to accumulate credits. Students in the program can graduate with a minor (like traditional students) or they can graduate with an area of emphasis.

If you are looking for an unconventional way to finish your degree, check into the Regents Bachelor of Arts degree.

 

 Curriculum Requirements

(120 semester hours)

 

I.                     UPPER LEVEL ELECTIVES

Each student must obtain at least 39 semester hours of upper division work. “Upper division” means junior and senior level course work. At WVSU upper level means 300 and 400 numbered courses. While a person can count more than 39 upper division hours towards graduation, there must be at least 39. Courses in this group can be in any department or any combination of departments; these are elective hours.

 

      II             FREE ELECTIVES

       Free electives can be at any level from freshmen to senior and from any department.        

       Ordinarily a maximum of 45 such credits can be used directly for graduation purposes.

 

III.                GENERAL EDUCATION DISTRIBUTION

Each student will obtain at least 36 semester hours of general education course work, as

shown below. While a person can count more than 36 such credits directly towards graduation, there must be at least 36 properly distributed hours. Students should select from the list of approved general studies courses provided by Regents BA Office.

 

1.       Communications (Minimum of six credits selected from the following):

English 101, 102 or any English Composition course at any accredited institution; Communications 100 or any Speech performance course.

 

2.       Humanities (Minimum of six credits selected from the following): Literature, Foreign Languages, Philosophy, Art, Music, or any course titled Humanities at any accredited institution.

 

3.       Science (Minimum of six credits selected from the following): Chemistry, Geology, Astronomy, Physical Science, Biological Science and Natural Science.

 

4.       Social Sciences (Minimum of six credits selected from the following): Sociology, Psychology, Economics, Anthropology, History, Political Science, Social Science, Economics or Geography.

 

5.       Math/Computer Science (Minimum of three credits)

 

6.       Sufficient general education electives to yield the minimum of 36. Electives are generally additional courses from ay of the categories listed above.

 

Commonly Asked Questions about Regents BA

Admissions Information

 

1.       Q.  Who is eligible to enroll in the Regents BA?

A.      You must be admissible to WVSU. You must have graduated from high school at least four years prior to seeking admission. You must have at least a 2.0 average on any prior college work. (See also Question #6)

 

2.       Q.  Must I have a high school diploma to qualify for admission?

A.      Yes or GED.

 

3.       Q.  Will you admit people who have dropped out of college?

A.      Yes. Many Regents BA students are “drop-outs.” We especially invite those who completed two or more years of college before dropping out.

 

4.       Q.  If I am admitted, how long will it take me to graduate?

A.      During your initial meeting, the program director will help you to estimate your graduation date.

 

5.       Q.   If I have college credits can I transfer them to the program?

A.       Yes. State accepts all credits from accredited institutions, including those passed with a grade of D. The program is especially attractive to those with two or more years of college, including holders of the associate degree.

 

6.       Q.  How will you treat F’s on my transcript?

A.      In calculating your grade point average, we discount F’s earned four years or more prior to your first admission to the program.

 

7.       Q.  Can I be admitted to the program if my college average is less than C?

A.      You should seek admission to WVSU as a special non-major student. When you have raised your average to 2.0, you should then apply for the RBA program

 

8.       Q. What must I do to maintain my status as a candidate for the RBA degree after I have been       

    admitted?

A.      You must remain “active.” A candidate remains active by registering for classes or by writing portfolios or by meeting regularly with the RBA staff. “Inactive” files may be terminated after three years of inactivity. However, a person can be readmitted at any future date.

 

9.       Q. How do I apply for admission to the Regents BA Program?

A.      1. Go on line or call the Admissions Office (304/204-4345). An application is available on line.

2. Complete the application form.

3. Have high school and college transcripts sent to the Admissions Office, WVSU, P.O. Box 1000, Institute, WV  25112-1000. Follow up with Admissions to see if they have been received.

4. Call or e-mail the Regents BA Office for an appointment. (304/766-3307, ashingleto1@wvstateu.edu)

 

Requirements for program:

10.   Q. How many credits are required for the Regents BA Program?

A.      As with many bachelor degree program, 120 hours must b e completed.

 

11.   Q. How is this program different from other degree programs at WVSU?

A.       The basic differences are the availability of college credits for work experience or training and the flexibility in the choice of courses.

 

12.   Q.. What does it mean when it states that this degree requires thirty-nine (39) credits at the upper division level?

A.      Upper division means junior and senior year. At WVSU and at most colleges, upper division courses carry 300 and 400 numerals. The thirty-nine upper division credits serve as a substitute for a major concentration. These are elective credits.

 

Portfolio information and other means of earning credits

13.   Q. How does one petition for credit?

A.      Most adults have work experience, training, or cultural and civic activities which may be equivalent to college-level work. A procedure exists for petitioning credit hours based on these experiences. This procedure, called a portfolio, is a written document.

 

14.   Q. Are there other ways to receive credits towards graduation in addition to taking courses and writing portfolios?

A.      Yes, State will accept credits earned in CLEP tests or DANTES (DSST) tests. These tests are offered through the Career Services Office located in Wallace Hall. State follows the credit recommendations by the American Council on Education for training programs conducted by a variety of business, governmental and professional organizations. Military personnel can obtain transcripts from AARTS (army/national guard) and SMART (navy/marines).

 

15.   Q., How do these credits appear on my transcript?

A.      The letter “K” is used to indicate such credits. Since there is no grade, these credits do not affect your grade point average.

 

Other Information

 

16.   Q. Is there a residency requirement for this degree?

A.      Yes, but it is simpler than most. You need only complete a total of twenty-four (24) semester hours in one or more of the public colleges or universities in West Virginia and at least one course must be taken at WVSU. There are no exceptions to the residency rule.

 

17.   Q. Can I complete the residency requirement with correspondence courses?

A.      No public institution in West Virginia has correspondence courses. However, residency may be established by enrolling in on-line courses at WVSU or another state-supported college or university in West Virginia.

 

18.   Q. If I am employed full time, will I be able to attend?

A.      Yes. State has a full battery of offerings in the evenings.

 

19.   Q. Can I use my Regents BA for admission to graduate school?

A.      Yes, In fact a great many of State’s Regents BA alumni go on to graduate school in West Virginia and elsewhere. National studies have determined that graduates of nontraditional programs are admitted to graduate school and do as well as any other group.

 

20.   Q What about costs?

A.      You would pay the same low tuition costs as other students at State. If you file for credit equivalents, you will pay the $300 credit equivalent fee. The fee is to be charged each semester a person submits a new set of materials for evaluation for credit equivalencies. Ordinarily, however, a candidate pays the $300 filing fee only once. You will also pay a $10 per credit hours award fee.