Regents Bachelor of Arts (RBA)

The Regents Bachelor of Arts degree program (RBA) is a nontraditional program designed for the adult student. It has several differences from other baccalaureate degree programs. While the program provides the RBA student with a sound general educational foundation, there are no required major courses. Instead, with the assistance of an advisor, a student creates the course plan that best fits his or her individual needs. Students in the program have the opportunity to request College Equivalent Credits (CEC’s) for documented course-level learning resulting from life and work experiences. Examples of CEC credit may include military credits, standard awards for certain licenses, certifications and corporate training, CLEP and DSST examinations, and portfolio petitions for credit. CEC credit will be added after a semester completed in the program with the student having a Marshall and overall grade point average of 2.0 or better.

All failing grades received three years or more before admission to the program may be forgiven and disregarded in the calculation of the GPA required for graduation. (Note: If failing grades are forgiven the student will not be eligible for university-level honors. Academic forgiveness may only be done once and it only pertains to graduating from the RBA program, not to admission to other programs.) This will be completed after the student completes a successful semester in the program. A successful semester is completing 2 classes with a semester grade point average of 2.0 or better.

Please see the Course Requirements and Areas of Emphasis tabs.

Admission Requirements

Admission

• The student must meet all general Marshall University admission requirements
• The student must be at least 3 years out of high school, prior to the start of the term they wish to enroll. For those students who passed the GED, admission must be at least 3 years after their class graduated from high school. 
• Exceptions: Students with an A.A., A.S., or A.A.S. community college degree may enter the RBA program directly without waiting 3 years out of high school.

Students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning may not pursue the RBA degree.

The RBA degree by state statute is a degree completion program and students may not double major in the RBA or use it as a subsequent degree.

Graduation Requirements

• Total credit hour requirement: 120 credit hours, including any CEC’s
• General education hours: 36
• Upper division hours (300-400 level): 30
• Grade Point Average at Marshall and overall: 2.00
• Residency: 24 graded semester credit hours earned at any of the WV public institutions of higher education. At least 12 credit hours must be earned at Marshall University.
• No more than 72 hours of community college credit can be applied toward the RBA.

 Course Requirements

General Education Requirements for the Regents Bachelor of Arts (R.B.A.)

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Beginning with students admitted for Fall 2025, ENG 201 is required as part of the communications requirement. ENG 201 has a prerequisite of ENG 101 or 101B.

For ENG 201 to count toward degree completion and satisfying the communications requirement, the course grade must be C or better.

Areas of Emphasis

WVROCKS

West Virginia Remote Online Collaborative Knowledge System (WVROCKS)

• Accelerated courses that can be completed in eight weeks instead of 16, meaning that you have two terms within the regular fall and spring semesters. You should register for both sessions at the beginning of the regular term.
• Complete flexibility since WVROCKS delivers education directly to your computer, 24/7, at home or work — anyplace internet access is available. All course content is asynchronous, but courses do have deadlines that need to be met.

WVROCKS Background

How do I register for classes on WVROCKS?

How will I know how to access my WVROCKS class?