Students in the West Virginia University Regents Bachelor of Arts degree program now have a new opportunity to expand their education to include marketing communications.

The WVU Reed College of Media recently established a partnership agreement creating a new pathway from the Regents Bachelor of Arts program to the College’s online Integrated Marketing Communications master’s degree program.

The RBA degree is an innovative baccalaureate designed to be a foundational bachelor’s degree for adult students. Time, space and program requirements are designed to meet the special needs of the adult learner.

The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive general education that provides individualized skills and learning outcomes. It differs from other bachelor’s degrees in that RBA students may earn “College-Equivalent Credit” for skills and knowledge gained though life experiences, which can be equated to college courses.

“Our goal is to open doors for RBA students to further their education even beyond the undergraduate degree,” said Director of the RBA program Dr. Kristi Wood-Turner. “We want students to re-imagine the RBA as an intentional and focused degree that allows adult learners to build skill sets they need for the next step in their journey, whatever that may be. We are very happy to have the opportunity for our students to move seamlessly into the IMC program.”

RBA Integrated Marketing Communication pathway students must complete at least one College of Media online minor in strategic social media, advertising, public relations, health promotion, sport communication, event planning or entertainment media to acquaint them with the College’s dynamic online learning environment.

College of Media Director of Online Programs Chad Mezera says RBA students with communications experience will find a perfect graduate-level option with the IMC program.

“The IMC graduate program is designed for working professionals across West Virginia and around the world,” Mezera said. “The program offers flexibility and options for customization. Students learn skills they can immediately apply to their current positions. RBA IMC pathway students, in particular, will experience a smooth transition into a graduate program that will help them reach and exceed their career goals.”

RBA IMC pathway students will receive advising support from the WVU IMC program while enrolled in their final semester in the RBA program and upon successful admission will also receive a free conference-only pass to the IMC program’s annual INTEGRATE professional conference.

Visit universitycollege.wvu.edu for information on WVU’s University College and the RBA program. For further information on the College of Media’s online IMC program, please visit imc.wvu.edu.

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bw/09/05/14

CONTACT: Kristi Wood-Turner, WVU University College
304.293.5441, rba@mail.wvu.edu

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Briana Wilson, WVU Reed College of Media
304.293.8542, Briana.Wilson@mail.wvu.edu

Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.