WVU Degree Up
WVU Degree Up
Degree Up is a first-of-its-kind program in West Virginia designed to make it easier for community and technical college students to transition from an associate degree to bachelor’s degree across the WVU System.
Degree Up grants admission to WVU Morgantown, WVU Institute of Technology, WVU Potomac State College and WVU Online when 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 partner institutions will work together to identify specific program articulation agreements that will live within the larger Degree Up partnership framework.
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.
Perks at Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College
Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College is the first to offer WVU Degree Up, which means that Southern 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.
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, offering a personalized experience to meet each student’s needs.
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.
Through Degree Up, Southern students will also be able to take WVU courses while still enrolled at Southern, which will expand their baccalaureate pathway options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is WVU Degree Up?
WVU Degree Up is a new program that helps students at participating community and technical colleges more easily transition to the WVU System in pursuit of a four-year degree by automatically being admitted into the WVU System.
Who can participate in the program?
Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College is the first to offer WVU Degree Up. 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.
Which community and technical colleges are part of this program?
Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College is WVU’s inaugural partner to offer WVU Degree Up. Conversations are ongoing with additional community and technical colleges across West Virginia to also offer the program.
What does the enrollment process look like for students?
Eligible students have a streamlined process for University admissions channels and transfer processes. Their application to their community and technical college serves as their application to the WVU System. They won’t have to complete a WVU application or pay an application fee.
Which WVU programs can students at participating CTCs transfer into?
Students can enroll in the program of their choice across the WVU System, including at WVU Morgantown, WVU Tech, Potomac State College or WVU Online, as long as they fulfill the program’s GPA criteria, curriculum prerequisites and admissions requirements.
How can students determine if they are eligible to enroll in the program of their choice?
Students will have a designated academic adviser to help them navigate through the transfer process and determine what programs they are eligible to enroll in based on their GPA and degree pathway.
What are the student benefits of WVU Degree Up?
The program will offer a host of benefits to help CTC students transition to WVU, including a physical footprint on the Southern campus to grant easy access for students to connect with a WVU representative in person, offering a personalized experience to meet each student’s needs. Through one-on-one coaching, students will receive academic advising along with help transferring course credits, registering for classes, meeting deadlines, and making sure all program requirements are met, including GPA and other prerequisites.
Why should students take advantage of WVU Degree Up?
This program offers a unique opportunity for West Virginia students to earn a bachelor’s degree (or higher). Attaining a four-year degree can 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.
The National Center for Education Statistics found that nearly 60% of all jobs in the U.S. will require some postsecondary education by 2025, and a significant portion of these jobs will require a bachelor’s degree or higher. Plus, people with a bachelor's degree make about 37% more than those with an associate degree.
And according to the Association of Public Land-grant Universities, over a lifetime, medium earnings are $1.2 million higher for bachelor’s degree holders.
How is this program different from other articulation agreements?
This is not just a program-to-program articulation agreement. WVU Degree Up automatically admits eligible students into the WVU System, removing barriers to applying by not having to fill out a WVU application or pay an application fee.Why is WVU launching this program?
WVU is operationalizing its land-grant mission by launching Degree Up. 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 want to make this pathway easier and more seamless.
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.
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.
Is there a contact person for students?
WVU will provide more details here on how students can communicate with WVU representatives in the coming weeks. Please visit this webpage for the most updated information.
Is this only for students in southern West Virginia?
Degree Up is a statewide program based on a signed Memorandum of Understanding between WVU and partnering community and technical colleges. Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College has signed the first Degree Up MOU with WVU, though other community and technical colleges across the state are in conversations with WVU to also become partners and participate in the WVU Degree Up program.
Will the program operate the same way for all CTCs that participate?
While the basic factors will be the same, WVU will work with each community and technical college to accommodate their students’, programs’ and local needs.