BOT/BA Degree Program

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Board of Trustees/BA Degree Program -- Prospective Students

Western Illinois University offers a unique Bachelor of Arts degree program designed to provide adult students with an opportunity to earn a regionally accredited undergraduate degree in a manner compatible with their educational needs and lifestyles. This highly individualized and flexible program recognizes that adults may have attended a variety of educational institutions and accepts transfer of passing course work taken at other regionally accredited colleges and universities.

Is This Degree Right for You?

The decision to enter a college degree program is an important one affecting you and your family. Many adult students work full time and have family responsibilities to consider while earning their bachelor's degree. The WIU Board of Trustees Bachelor of Arts (BOT/BA) Degree Program was developed in 1972 to serve mature adults who were unable to complete an undergraduate degree by traditional means.

The BOT/BA degree program offers students the options of applying for academic credit by preparing a prior learning portfolio, successfully completing proficiency exams, and combining prior college credit with individually selected courses to create a personalized program of study.

If your goals require a specialized degree such as is needed to become a certified public school teacher, certified public accountant, chemist, etc., please be aware the BOT/BA is a Bachelor of Arts that does not designate a major (i.e. Elementary Education, Accountancy, Chemistry, etc.). Even though a non-majored degree will not satisfy the educational needs of all students, many consider this an important feature because it eliminates the constraints of the predetermined curriculum of a major and allows BOT/BA students more flexibility in their choice of courses. Learning in specific subject matter will, of course, be reflected on the transcript.

Students with baccalaureate degrees from regionally accredited colleges or universities may not be admitted to the WIU Board of Trustees Bachelor of Arts Degree program. However, firefighters who hold a bachelor's degree who would like to complete additional coursework through the Degrees at a Distance Program and attain a second bachelor's degree should contact the Non-Traditional Programs Office by calling 309/298-1929 or via email at NP-BOT@wiu.edu.

BOT/BA Advantages

• Long history -- developed in 1972 with over 6,200 graduates
• Earn a fully online bachelor’s degree without campus attendance
• Maximize degree completion opportunities by allowing for transfer of 80 semester hours from a community college.
• Learn on your own time; specifically designed for non-traditional students
• Fulfill degree requirements without time limit to complete degree
• No declaration of major required; student designed learning
• Enjoy Western’s low, in-state tuition rates regardless of where you live
• Four year tuition freeze for continuous enrollment
• Acceptance of ACE Guide - training programs and ACE Guide - evaluated military training
• Receive certification from the National Fire Academy for NFA designed courses
• Evaluation of prior learning through portfolio or proficiency exams
• Full-time professional advising services available for all students
• No advance payment for new semester charges by students in good financial standing with WIU

BOT/BA Vision

The Board of Trustees Bachelor of Arts degree program will serve as the gateway for Western Illinois University to extend flexible academic educational opportunities at a distance.

BOT/BA Mission

The Board of Trustees Bachelor of Arts Degree Program will coordinate the extension and availability of Western Illinois University's academic resources to provide individuals with flexible educational opportunities at a distance while assuring all program requirements and quality indicators are met.

Please note: If you need an alternative version of content on this web site, contact the School of Extended Studies at 309/298-1864 or via e-mail.

Non-Traditional Programs -- BOT/BA Degree Program
Western Illinois University © 2009
Macomb, Illinois • Moline, Illinois
Phone: 309/298-1929 • Fax: 309/298-2226 Contact Us
E-mail: NP-BOT@wiu.edu