Life can be challenging and even hectic, but you don't have to
put your career and educational goals on hold. The Regents Bachelor
of Arts (RBA) program helps you work around life's challenges so
you can earn a bachelor's degree.
And now, the RBA degree is even better. Many colleges and
universities in West Virginia are offering an enhanced version of
the program through an initiative called RBA Today. RBA Today
offers adults flexibility and choices, including:
- classes that are compressed into shorter time frames,
- the option to receive credit for life and work experience,
and
- the ability to take online, evening and weekend classes.
From the beginning, you will receive assistance from an RBA
professional who will help you create a plan to achieve your goals
and obtain your degree! The program is perfect for adults who have
completed some college classes, because credits you've earned in
the past can often count toward your degree - even if you've been
out of school for a long time.
You may even be able to count some of the knowledge you've
gained from work and life experiences toward college credit.
Thanks to RBA Today, there's never been a better time to
go back to school. But you've got to take the first
step.
STEP 1: FIND the COLLEGE that's RIGHT
FOR YOU.
Several colleges and universities in West Virginia are offering
enhanced opportunities for adult students through RBA Today. Begin
by exploring the school that you're most interested in attending.
If you're not sure, you might start with the one located closest to
where you live.
STEP 2: LEARN about YOUR OPTIONS for
FINANCIAL AID.
The RBA Today program is a solid investment in your future - and
there are many financial aid programs to help fund your education.
You may have heard about college loans, but you may even qualify to
receive grants or scholarships (which you don't have to pay
back!).
STEP 3: MAKE an ACTION PLAN
Now that you've started exploring your options for earning your
degree, get to work! Contact the RBA coordinator at the school
you're most interested in attending, submit your FAFSA, and make a
game plan that will help you accomplish your goals and earn your
degree. CFWV.com has tons of tips for adults who want to go back to
school, so check out the links on this page. And don't be shy about
asking college and university staff members for help - they are
there to help you succeed!
WVROCKS
Finding classes to take that fit into the schedule of the adult
learner can be difficult. In an effort to make college more
accessible to all West Virginians, the Higher Education Policy
Commission (HEPC), with assistance from WVNET, developed a web
portal, the West Virginia Remote Online Collaborative Knowledge
System (WVROCKS). WVROCKS is designed to be a collaborative effort
between all West Virginia higher education institutions who offer
the Regents Bachelor of Arts degree. Courses offered on the portal
are all 200-400 level courses. The courses are all 100% online and
offered in an eight week time frame. It is possible for students
taking classes on the portal to complete twelve hours of course
credit per year by taking one course at a time.
Students interested in taking WVROCKS classes
must enroll and be admitted to the Regents Bachelor of Arts Degree
program at an affiliated institution.
Faculty teaching classes are all West Virginia
higher education faculty who have a master's degree or higher in
their field and who have been trained on best practices for online
course development and teaching.
Courses are offered online in an eight-week
compressed format and have been designed to meet Quality Matters
(QM) Standards. Students have the opportunity to begin classes
twice during the regular semester with efforts being made to
increase the number of enrollment opportunities.
Thanks to WVROCKS, there's never been a better time to complete
your degree. But, you've got to take the first step:
Step 1: Find the Participating College that is Right for You:
Several colleges and universities in West Virginia are offering
enhanced opportunities for adult students through the WVROCKS
program. Begin by exploring the school that you're most interested
in attending. If you're not sure, you might start with the one
located closest to where you live.
- Bluefield State College
- Concord University
- Fairmont State University
- Shepherd University
- Marshall University
- BridgeValley Community and Technical College
- WV Northern Community College
- Pierpont Community and Technical College
- Southern WV Community and Technical
College
Visit the the WVROCKS website
for more information.