Nathan Jeffers/photo

Pictured is Regents Bachelor of Arts program director Andrew Gooding speaking to the Mason County Chamber of Commerce.

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POINT PLEASANT — Going back to school may not always be an easy decision, but for those who have some college experience, as well as real world experience, a program is in place to help earn a college degree through Marshall University’s Regents Bachelor of Arts (RBA) Program.

Program Director Andrew Gooding spoke at Tuesday’s Mason County Chamber of Commerce luncheon and presented an overview of what the RBA program offers and who can benefit from a program such as this.

Gooding began by stating this program is designed for adult students; students who have been out of high school for at least four years. Whether the students previously earned credit towards a degree at Marshall University, or another institution, the program is geared toward transfer students and students who have already earned some college credit who want to finish their college degree.

“It’s essential we get as many college graduates as possible in West Virginia,” Gooding said.

Another aspect the RBA program offers to returning students, as Gooding stated, is flexibility. Along with accepting previously earned credits, students can take classes online as well as classes not located at Marshall’s main campus in Huntington.

Continuing with the program’s flexibility, Gooding said students can also use their real life experiences as credit toward their degree. Experience that can count toward a degree in the RBA program can include industrial, professional and governmental training and certifications, military experience and training, and a faculty evaluation of a life and work experience portfolio. The RBA program also offers a college level examination which can be taken for credit as well.

Gooding also said the degree earned from the RBA program is a general degree, with no major specification. However, there are areas of emphasis and minors available.

Gooding also described the program’s history, stating it first began in 1975 and over 5,000 students have graduated from the program, with 342 students in the 2011-12 school year.

For more information on the RBA program, visit www.marshall.edu/rba.