WVU Parkersburg approved to offer RBA degree

WVU Parkersburg adds Regents Bachelor of Arts degree to its baccalaureate offerings.

CONTACT:

Dr. Joseph Badgley, executive dean of academic affairs, 304-424-8242;
Paul Milhoan, WVU Parkersburg RBA coordinator, 304-424-8272.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

West Virginia University at Parkersburg is now approved to offer the most popular degree on its campus: the Regents Bachelor of Arts.

The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools has notified the college its accreditation has been extended to include the RBA adult learner baccalaureate program.

The RBA program has been available at WVU Parkersburg since 1997 in a cooperative arrangement through West Virginia University. Graduates received RBA degrees from WVU. With the HLC confirmation, the RBA will be awarded by WVU Parkersburg, beginning with this December's Commencement.

WVU Parkersburg now offers four bachelor's degrees in addition to its certificate, associate and workforce development programs.

"We are delighted that the RBA is now 'one of ours,'" noted Dr. Joseph Badgley, executive dean of academic affairs. "Its enrollment growth on campus has been phenomenal and we anticipate the number of students choosing the program as a major will continue at a consistently high level."

Since the program was initiated on the Parkersburg campus, there has been a 437 percent increase in credit hour production by RBA candidates, Badgley noted. In the fall of 2004, the RBA represented nearly 10 percent of the college's total credit hours.

The RBA degree is the most popular baccalaureate program on campus with more than 330 students declaring it as their major in 2004. Since 1997, more than 300 students have successfully completed the degree requirements and graduated from WVU, Badgley added.

The RBA is designed to give adults an opportunity to earn a four-year degree in a non-traditional way. Students may be awarded credit in the usual manner in addition to earning college equivalent credits for life and work experience. Students follow an individualized program of study tailored to meet personal and professional goals. WVU Parkersburg also offers an associate degree - the Board of Governors Associate in Applied Science degree - which features a similar opportunity to pursue a degree in a non-traditional manner.

Paul Milhoan, chair of the college's Technology Division, serves as coordinator of the RBA and the BOG AAS programs.

In addition to the RBA, WVU Parkersburg also offers the Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education; Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Bachelor of Applied Technology, and the RBA.

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For additional information, contact:
Connie Dziagwa
WVU Parkersburg
Executive Director
Institutional Advancement
(304-424-8203)