Board of Governors, A.A.S.

Nancy Parks, Board of Governors Program Coordinator
(304)367-4990
Nancy.Parks@pierpont.edu

Program Purpose (as stated by the Community & Technical College System of West Virginia)

The Board of Governors Associate of Applied Science degree program is a nontraditional, degree completion opportunity at the associate degree level specifically devised for adult learners to meet occupational goals, employment requirements, establish professional credentials, and or achieve personal goals.  This degree program provides the opportunity for adult learners to utilize credit for prior learning experiences via licenses, certificates, military credit, and other non-collegiate sources while assuring maximum credit transferability.

Through the Board of Governors AAS degree program, adult students can establish deserved credentials, achieve a personal sense of accomplishment, and position themselves for advancement into a baccalaureate program.  The Board of Governors AAS degree increases educational access and degree opportunities for adults who have deferred or interrupted their educational plans.  The Board of Governors AAS degree program is designed to articulate with the West Virginia Board of Regents Bachelor of Arts Degree.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Board of Governors A.A.S. degree, graduates will be able to do the following:

• Demonstrate successful completion of those student learning outcomes detailed in their core courses and general electives

Opportunities

Graduates may use the Board of Governors AAS degree in their employment search for any position in which the minimum expectation is an earned Associate degree.  Graduates may also choose to apply all hours of the degree to a WV Regents Bachelor of Arts (RBA) degree program offered at any WV four-year college or university.

Special Notes

• Admission to the program is available to students who have graduated from high school two or more years prior. Students who did not complete a traditional diploma or equivalency credential must be two-years post the scheduled date for high school graduation.
• To fulfill residency requirements a minimum of 12 credit hours must be completed from a regionally accredited higher educational institution.
• A minimum of 15 credit hours are required for an Area of Emphasis (optional). For more information on approved areas of emphasis, contact the Coordinator.
• Students desiring to submit portfolio(s) for credit evaluation must meet with the Program Coordinator for direction and must be enrolled in the program. A $300.00 portfolio fee and $10.00 per credit hour acceptance fee is charged for each portfolio submitted and credit granted after evaluation.
• Students seeking college credit for certifications/licenses/ training approved by the State Board of Governors Degree Program must meet with the Program Coordinator and provide official copies of certifications/licenses/training.
• The BOG degree will articulate with the WV Regents Bachelor of Arts Degree.
• Students who decide to pursue Bachelor’s degrees other than the RBA may be required to meet additional Liberal Studies requirements in addition to the ones required of the BOG A.A.S. degree.
• Students may request credits through the portfolio process for general elective credits only and only for those credits in which a pre-existing Prior Learning Assessment (CLEP, test-out) does not exist. Students who wish to receive college credit for prior learning experiences not already approved and documented by the WV BOG/RBA program are required to do the following: complete a 1-credit hour Portfolio Development course; pay a non-refundable evaluation fee of $300; pay a $10 per credit hour transcription fee for each credit hour granted through the process; understand that there is no guarantee that the number of credits requested will be granted; understand that other Associate and Bachelor degree programs are under no obligation to accept credits based on portfolio submissions; and understand that financial aid does not cover the costs associated with a portfolio submission. Furthermore, students are strongly encouraged to submit portfolios that address the student learning outcomes of existing courses.