WVU, Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College launch WVU Degree Up program

West Virginia University and Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College are joining forces to launch WVU Degree Up - a first-of-its-kind program in West Virginia designed to make it easier for students to transition from community and technical college to the WVU System.

Unlike other transfer options that are program specific, Degree Up provides automatic admission for qualifying community and technical college students. Eligible students will have a streamlined process for University admissions channels and transfer processes. They won't have to complete a WVU application or pay admissions fees.

Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College is the first to offer WVU Degree Up. Leaders at both institutions signed the program's first Memorandum of Understanding Wednesday (Nov. 13) during a campus event. The MOU states that students admitted and enrolled at Southern are automatically admitted to the WVU System and continue to be so long as they remain in good standing.

"We are positioning West Virginia's higher education system for the future by offering more accessible pathways to attain a four-year degree," WVU President Gordon Geesaid of the partnership with Southern.

"This program offers a unique opportunity for West Virginia students to 'degree up' - a decision to continue pursuing higher education that could change the trajectory of their lives for the better through a lifetime of higher earnings, job security, more career options, greater prospects for upward mobility, and financial and personal growth."

Degree Up grants admission to WVU Morgantown, WVU Institute of Technology, WVU Potomac State Collegeand WVU Onlineonce students are admitted and enrolled at participating community and technical colleges. As with any student admitted to WVU, admission to a specific degree program still carries specific requirements. The two institutions will work together to identify specific program articulation agreements that will live within the larger Degree Up partnership framework.

The program will offer a host of benefits to help CTC students transition to WVU, including a physical WVU footprint on the Southern campus to grant easy access for students to connect with a WVU representative in person, providing a personalized experience to meet each student's needs.

Students will be able to begin enrolling in the Degree Up partnership at WVU for Fall 2025. Those not interested will have the choice to opt out of the program.

President Pamela L. Alderman said Southern is proud to be the first partner with WVU on the innovative Degree Up program.

"This groundbreaking initiative demonstrates our commitment to making higher education accessible, affordable and achievable for our students," she said.

"By removing barriers in the transfer process and providing personalized support on our campus, Degree Up empowers students to continue their academic journey seamlessly. Together, we equip students with the resources and opportunities they need to thrive in today's competitive job market and to make a lasting impact on the future of West Virginia."

Through one-on-one coaching, students will receive academic advising from WVU along with help transferring course credits, registering for classes, meeting deadlines, exposure to academic programs of interest, and making sure all program requirements are met, including GPA and other prerequisites.

"This partnership will simplify the transfer process, improve advising, and encourage the acceptance of equivalent courses and credits," said Bill Alderman, Southern executive projects/accreditation liaison officer and professor of business. "By coordinating these procedures, the WVU Degree Up program supports a smooth transition from an associate's to a bachelor's degree."

With many of the fastest growing occupations requiring a bachelor's degree or higher - including in health care, technology and business - WVU Degree Up will open more doors for West Virginians to not only attain a higher degree, but also help fulfill evolving workforce demands and contribute to the state's economy.

"We cannot reinforce enough the foundations that support economic growth. An educated workforce and talent base are the pillars to growing and diversifying our economy," said (Ret.) Maj. Gen. James Hoyer, University vice president for economic innovation.

"Fostering programs and partnerships like Degree Up are helping both students and the state navigate new pathways toward our shared destination of the most prosperous West Virginia."

-WVU-

kf/11/13/24

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