CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginians who went to college but never graduated could have a chance to get their degree with a new program under consideration. It’s call Reverse Transfer. It allows students to transfer credits from a 4-year college back to to the 2-year college where they got their start. In many cases, students are just a few credits away from an associates degree.
The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission is working with the state Community and Technology College system on the joint program. Community and Technical College Chancellor Jim Skidmore went before state lawmakers during interims last week to explain the benefits of the plan.
“There are certain jobs in certain places that the individual has to have some sort of college credential to advance. So if an individual is in that type of situation then if we award this degree, then that will help them, ” said Skidmore.
He said in the end it’s a win/win for everyone. The individual gets a degree, companies hire West Virginia workers and it improves the state’s education rate and as a result economic development.
Those with credits hoping to reverse transfer would have to take anywhere from 12-15 hours at the 2-year-college to be eligible for their degree. Skidmore said for many former students they may be lacking a math class here or a science class there.
The chancellor stressed, they won’t be handing out diplomas without first making sure the individuals have completed the classes and hours to earn that degree.
“We are not giving away degrees if we do this. They have actually earned it. They’ve taken the right courses. It’s just a matter of recognizing that and giving them the credential that they have earned,” said Skidmore.