WVU Parkersburg to offer new Bachelor of Arts degree in Multi-Disciplinary Studies this fall.

CONTACT: Dr. Rhonda Richards, executive dean of academic affairs, 304-424-8242.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A new Bachelor of Arts degree will be offered by West Virginia University at Parkersburg this fall.

The Parkersburg campus has received approval from the Higher Learning Commission to add a Bachelor of Arts in Multi-Disciplinary Studies to its accredited degree offerings.

This increases WVU Parkersburg's baccalaureate degree programs to six.

The new degree allows students to combine disciplines and tailor a program to meet their special career or graduate aspirations. Students will choose three minor areas and demonstrate how these areas work together toward educational and/or career goals. Initially, minors available include business administration, communications, fine arts, biological sciences, chemistry, history, psychology and sociology.

"The flexibility of the MDS degree allows students to configure academic programs to meet their unique needs and interests," said Rhonda Richards, WVU Parkersburg executive dean of academic affairs.

"The program does not limit students to courses of study in a particular major or division, but emphasizes multidisciplinary/cross-disciplinary studies," she added.

"For example, a student may choose the areas of business, fine arts and the biological sciences with the goal of a career in biological illustration and/or marketing of biomedical products," she explained.

In addition to the Bachelor of Arts in Multi-Disciplinary Studies, WVU Parkersburg offers a Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Administration, a Bachelor of Applied Technology, a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Regents Bachelor of Arts.

WVU Parkersburg is the only community college in West Virginia accredited to offer bachelor's degrees. The Parkersburg campus is the fifth largest public college in West Virginia.

cd05/12/08