Programs and Courses

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.

Curriculum Goals

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 their assigned Learner Mentor or the Provost.

General Policies

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 Provost.

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 Provost 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 in order.

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 and in all degrees with Areas of Emphasis.

Passport Courses

Pursuant to Code of Virginia §23.1-203 and as required by § 23.1-907 (B)-(C), Richard Bland offers the following Passport courses. The Passport consists of 5 courses, one from each of the below blocks, that as a group are accepted by all 4-year public institutions of higher education in Virginia, with exceptions as noted.

Below are Richard Bland’s Passport Courses:

Block I:

Block II:

Block III:

GOVT 201

Block IV:

Block IV:

Quantitative and Statistics Pathway:

MATH 110

MATH 217

Calculus Pathway:

MATH 121 **

MATH 151 **

MATH 200

MATH 217

MATH 251

MATH 252 **

*JMU does not accept ENG 101 toward satisfaction of general education requirements. WM does not have a college-wide general composition requirement. ENGL 101 will not count toward satisfaction of WM general education requirements but students will receive generalized credit.

**MATH 121/151 should only be taken students preparing for Calculus or four-year degree programs that require College Algebra/PreCalculus. PreCalculus may not satisfy general education or may not receive transfer credit.

***ODU does not accpet MATH 252 toward satisfaction of general education requirements or prerequisite requirements and offfers elective credit.