Frequently Asked Questions : Western Illinois University

Is There a Time Limit for Completing the BOT/BA Degree Program?: The BOT/BA degree program does not have a time limit to complete the graduation requirements. It is expected that you will make steady progress by taking courses, passing proficiency exams, or working on a prior learning portfolio. The time needed to complete the degree program will depend on the number of hours you bring into the program and the number of hours you earn each semester. For example, if you enter the program with an associate of arts or an associate of science degree, you will normally have to earn 60 or more semester hours with 40 semester hours from a senior institution. This is equivalent to two years of full-time attendance at a university. A successful prior learning portfolio, military credit, or proficiency examination credit may speed your progress. An analysis of recent BOT/BA graduates' transcripts found that the average graduate earned one semester hour of credit per month of enrollment in the program. You may earn credit at a faster or slower pace. From this statistic, you may be able to target your own graduation date.

What if I don't meet the admissions requirements?

If you do not meet the admissions requirements, you may be considered for admission if:

You have been separated from higher education institutions for five or more years.
You submit a letter of explanation to the office of Non-Traditional Programs explaining past academic performance and why you should be admitted in to the Board of Trustees Degree Program.

Do I have to fill out the entire application?: Withholding information requested in the application for admission or giving incorrect statements may render a student ineligible for admission or result in dismissal.

How is College-level learning validated?

The BOT/BA degree program recognizes four methods of validating college-level learning:

BOT/BA Degree Program