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Richard Bland College provides a sound liberal arts education designed for transfer to 4-year colleges and universities. The Board of Visitors of The College of William & Mary has authorized Richard Bland College to confer the degrees of Associate of Arts and Associate of Science. Each degree consists of specific requirements plus electives.
The following college-wide curriculum goals have been adopted. Upon graduation from Richard Bland College, the student will have acquired:
- The ability to analyze and critique information through accurate reading, listening, and logical thinking, and the ability to acquire, organize, document, and present written and oral information clearly, precisely, and correctly
- The ability to acquire, process, understand, and use quantitative data
- An understanding of how major historical factors and events have influenced the development of civilization
- An understanding of major natural laws and theories that govern our universe and the ability to apply the scientific method to the acquisition of knowledge and problem-solving
- An understanding of major social forces that have shaped and continue to shape contemporary society
- An understanding of the human experience as revealed through creative expressions from the humanities
Richard Bland College strives to maintain an intellectual, cultural, and physical environment that fosters integrity of character, the spirit of free inquiry, disciplined thinking, and the capacity for lifelong learning. The College is committed to a flexible, balanced, and coherent course of study based on a core curriculum in the humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and physical education.
Receiving an Associate Degree from Richard Bland College allows students to pursue bachelor’s programs in fields ranging from the arts to technology, from languages to laboratory research. The liberal arts foundation in the Richard Bland College curriculum has also provided the impetus for development of program-to-program articulation agreements with many 4-year institutions in the areas of business, education, and health sciences, including options in such fields as accounting, elementary school teaching, and nursing. Students interested in exploring major programs should meet with Learner Mentor/Guided Pathways Specialists or the Chief Academic Officer.
The term “Continuous Course” (such as ENGL 101 -ENGL 102 ) indicates the two semesters of the year-long course are meant to be taken as a unit, and the satisfactory completion of the first semester is a prerequisite for entrance into the second semester, except by special permission of the instructor. A single number (such as Philosophy 101) indicates the course is completed within a single semester.
Courses listed in this Catalog have been approved by the College; however, a course will be taught only if there is sufficient enrollment, which will be determined by the Chief Academic Officer.
Physical Education credits may not be used to fulfill requirements in any academic area. Only one class (maximum of 3 credits) in physical education will apply toward graduation requirements. Non-credit (developmental or audit) courses do not fulfill academic requirements for graduation.
A minimum overall cumulative grade point average of 2.0 is required for graduation in any degree program offered by Richard Bland College. At least 30 of the total semester hours required for a degree must be earned at Richard Bland College. Only in exceptional cases will the Chief Academic Officer exempt a student from any graduation requirement outlined in this Catalog.
It is the student’s responsibility to know and fulfill the requirements for graduation and to check with the Registrar during the year of intended graduation to be certain all credentials are completed.
Students planning to transfer to The College of William & Mary, as well as to certain other institutions in the Commonwealth of Virginia, should remember that six hours of foreign language at the intermediate level are required for graduation. Students should refer to the Transfer Guide to review the appropriate articulation agreement. This information is available on the Richard Bland College website.
Any course that has been used to fulfill a degree requirement in one area may not be used to fulfill a requirement in any other area.
All General Education Core requirements will be met within the requirements of the General Associate Degree, Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, as well as in the degrees with Areas of Emphasis.
Pursuant to Code of Virginia §23.1-203 and as required by § 23.1-907 (B)-(C), Richard Bland College offers Passport and UCGS courses. The Passport Program consists of 15 course credit hours and shall be a component of the 30-credit-hour Uniform Certificate of General Studies Program, accepted by 4-year public institutions of higher education in Virginia, with exceptions as noted. Student course selection should be carefully considered since these programs are not designed to capture the complexities of individual programs of study at the four-year institutions. Students should be advised to take the Passport and/or UCGS courses that best suits their intended program of study at the four-year institution. RBC students are strongly encouraged to work with their Learner Mentor/GPS to review their courses to determine how they will be accepted by the four-year institution of their choosing.
Passport Policy and Courses: www.transfervirginia.org/content/passport-policy-and-courses
Uniform Certificate of General Studies (UCGS) Policy and Courses: www.transfervirginia.org/content/uniform-certificate-general-studies-ucgs-policy-and-courses
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