Educational Program
12. It confers degrees
New River Community and Technical College (NRCTC) offers one-year certificate programs, associate degree programs, and continuing education “certificate of completion” programs, conferring awards for such programs under the auspices and authorization of Bluefield State College. On May 15, 2003, the Bluefield State College Board of Governors voted to transfer ownership of two certificate programs and fifteen associate degree programs to New River. Additionally, six certificate programs and two associate degree programs were inherited from the former Glenville State Community and Technical College, Nicholas County Campus, in compliance with the legislation that ensures students the right to complete degree programs without additional hours or course work. At the time of merger and creation of NRCTC, Glenville State’s CTC was amid the development of three new associate degree programs and two certificate programs. These new degree programs are undergoing honing and refinement before being added to New River’s degree inventory, but the certificate programs have come to fruition.
13. It has degree programs in operation, with students enrolled in them.
New River Community and Technical College offers twenty-one associate degree programs and ten certificate programs. Each program has students enrolled with the exception of five certificate programs that have not yet been marketed. During the decade between 1992 and 2002, Bluefield State College awarded 2, 511 associate degree and 30 certificates. In comparison, Glenville State Community and Technical College awarded 981 associate degrees. The first certificate programs at Glenville State CTC were initiated during the Fall 2002 semester; the first group of students in certificate programs is scheduled to graduate December 2003.
a. The following chart demonstrates the number of students enrolled in each associate degree and certificate program for Fall Semester 2003:
Community and Technical CollegeEnrollment by Major – Fall 2003
A.A., General Business (Glenville Degree)
A.A., General Studies (Glenville Degree)
A.A., Liberal Studies / 5
A.S., Commercial Aquaculture / 5
A.S., Communications Technology / 26
A.S., Computer Science / 102
A.S., Corrections / 79
A.S., Emergency Management
A.S., General Business
A.S., General Education (General Studies) / 916
A.S., Information Technology / 1
A.S., Law Enforcement / 104
A.S., Legal Assisting / 58
A.S., Medical Assisting
A.S., Professional Office Systems Technology / 44
A.A.S., Applied Science (Laboratory Science) / 4
A.A.S., Applied Technology (Computer Networking & Operating)
A.A.S., Occupational Development (Child Care Practitioner) / 30
A.A.S., Paraprofessional Education
A.A.S., Technical Studies (Banking)
A.A.S., Technical Studies (Hospitality/Tourism Management) / 2
A.A.S., Technical Studies (Youth Care Program Specialist)
Certificate, Licensed Practical Nursing / 29
Certificate, Medical Assisting
Certificate, Medical Insurance Coding and Billing
Certificate, Paraprofessional Education
Certificate, Technical Office Procedures & Skills
Certificate, Technical Studies, Career Technology
Certificate, Technical Studies (Machining Tool Technology) / 11
c. The Fall FTE for each institution during the last three years is provided in the chart below, based on information released by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission entitled “Enrollment Report, Fall 2002.”
FALL FTE ENROLLMENTFall 2001 / Fall 2002 / Fall 2003
Bluefield State CTC / 1,695 / 1,722.27
Glenville State CTC / 553.80 / 693.87
Full-time equivalence is the equivalent number of students derived by dividing by 15 the total undergraduate student credit hours produced per semester.
14. Its degree programs are compatible with the institution’s mission and are based on recognized fields of study at the higher education level.
In compliance with its mission to “provide programs and courses of instruction, through the associate-degree level, encompassing occupational-technical education, transfer education, general education, literacy and developmental education, and continuing education,” New River Community and Technical College offers
1). A.A., General Business
Designed to provide the graduate with entry- level skills in business without specific specializations, such as marketing, management, or accounting, but rather a solid and versatile grounding in general business practices. Degree transferred from Glenville State CTC to ensure students a timely graduation because degree requirements vary greatly.
2). A.A., General Studies
Designed to meet the needs of students entering New River who wish to transfer with junior status to a college or university with a strong background in the arts and humanities. Degree transferred from Glenville State Community and Technical College to ensure those currently enrolled may graduate in a timely matter without additional hours or course work. 3). A.A., Liberal Studies
Designed to allow adult students who have job and family responsibilities an opportunity to complete college credits that meet college general studies requirements and can transfer into a baccalaureate degree program.
4). A.S., Commercial Aquaculture
Designed to provide graduates with an understanding of the basic culture needs of fish, the government regulations and laws governing aquaculture enterprise and the business concerns of aquatic farming.
5) A.S., Communication Technology
Designed to provide graduates with training that will assist them
entering the many-faceted communications industry, including printing, broadcasting, public relations, marketing, journalism, and computer services.
6). A.S., Computer Science
Designed to expose graduates to the most common computer programming languages and to operating procedures commonly encountered in the data processing field
7). A.S., Corrections
Designed to prepare graduates for entry level careers in the field of corrections, including correctional officers, parole or probation officers, or counselors at the Federal, State, and local levels.
8). A.S. Emergency Management
Designed following guidelines established by the FEMA Higher Education Project for Associate Degree Programs and with the cooperation of the West Virginia Office of Emergency Services. This degree program provides the entry-level skills and knowledge for emergency management personnel.
9). A.S., General Business
The curriculum is career-oriented and designed to provide academic training for entry-level positions in accounting, management, and marketing, depending upon the student’s area of specialization. Students also are exposed to a variety of computer related skills.
10). A.S., General Education
Designed to meet the needs of a variety of students including those who enter New River without a specific major in mind and those who wish to take courses to transfer with junior status.
11). A.S., Information Technology
Designed as a web-based program developed with 12 participating colleges and universities in West Virginia. Students choose one of two paths: networking or programming. Each path contains a variety of vendor certification possibilities.
12). A.S., Law Enforcement
Designed to prepare graduates for introductory level careers in the field
Of Federal and State Law Enforcement
13). A.S., Legal Assisting
Designed to prepare graduates to render direct assistance to lawyers and clients, including such tasks as client interviewing, case investigation, the preparation of pleadings and conduct of legal research.
14.) A.S., Medical Assisting
Designed to prepare individuals to be integral members of the health care delivery team, qualified by education and experience to work in the office, the examining room, and the physician’s laboratory. Graduates, under the direction of a physician, are trained to perform a variety of tasks.
15). A.S., Professional Office Systems Technology
Designed to provide graduates with entry-level skills for such positions as clerk, word or data processor, receptionist, secretary, administrative aide
or executive assistant for business, government, or philanthropic organizations. The program includes basic academic skills, office procedures, information processing, electronic communications, human resources, and computer applications in answer to the technology explosion.
16). A.A.S., Applied Science (Laboratory Science)
Designed to provide a means whereby qualified students who complete an accredited one-year medical laboratory technician clinical program may be granted an associate degree. The student then would qualify to take the Board of Registry General Certification Examination for Medical Laboratory Technician.
17). A.A.S., Applied Technology—Operating Systems
Designed to prepare graduates for a career in the computer industry. Along with the general education requirements, students take courses preparing them for a number of industry recognized certifications, including Network+ Certification, CompTIA A+, and Microsoft Certified Professional Certification (MCP).
18). A.A.S., Occupational Development (Child Care Practitioner)
Designed to provide special career training for employed individuals who wish to expand or upgrade their specific occupational skills. The program is open only to those persons currently employed in the childcare industry.
19). A.A.S., Paraprofessional Education
Designed to prepare graduates to work in the public school system as an instructional aide. Program developed in cooperation with State agencies following a statewide model.
20). A.A.S. Technical Studies (Banking)
Designed to provide a general background in business and to increase specific banking-related job skills and enhanced knowledge. All courses are designed to help banking professionals build their skills and knowledge, optimize job performance, and meet certification requirements. Degree is in cooperation with the American Institute of Banking.
21). A.A.S., Technical Studies (Hospitality and Tourism Management)
Designed to prepare graduates to enter, with appropriate work experience in the field, mid-management, management, or entrepreneurial positions in resorts, restaurants, hotels or motels, inns, or bed and breakfast enterprises.
22). A.A.S.,Technical Studies (Youth Care Program Specialist)
23). Certificate, Technical Studies (Licensed Practical Nurse)
Designed to provide the graduate with both classroom theory and practical experience in a variety of clinical settings. The program also is designed for career laddering and awarding appropriate transfer credit into other programs, allowing for seamless transfer into advanced degrees.
24). Certificate, Technical Studies (Medical Assisting)
Designed to provide the medical assistant with entry level theory and training in basic and routine clinical and office tasks. The certified Medical Assistant is able to perform clinical procedures such as taking vital signs, performing routine office lab procedures, preparing the patient for physical exams, and assisting the physician with other exams.
25). Certificate, Technical Studies (Medical Insurance Billing and Coding)
Designed to meet the needs of the changing health care profession. Graduates may find employment as a Medical Coding Specialist for such agencies as hospitals, ambulatory centers, insurance companies, ambulance companies, dental and physician offices, nursing homes, public and private clinics and other health organizations.
26). Certificate, Paraprofessional Education
Designed to meet the needs of those who currently are employed by a school system as an instructional aide. Developed in cooperation with a statewide model.
27). Certificate, Professional Office Systems Technology
Designed as a two-semester certificate program to prepare graduates for entry-level positions within an office setting. This curriculum provides students with the knowledge and training necessary to succeed in current office positions as well as in the high-tech office environment that will characterize organizations in the future.
28). Certificate, Technical Studies, Career Technology
Designed to provide graduates of vocational training programs, such as automobile technology or welding, with a core of general education courses to warrant the awarding of a certificate.
29). Certificate, Technical Studies (Machining Tool Technology)
Designed to promote excellence in manufacturing through state-of-the-art training for its students.
15. Its degrees are appropriately named, following practices common to institutions of higher education in terms of both length and content of the programs.
The names and content of the Associate Degrees earned at New River Community and Technical College are comparable and consistent with similar degree programs offered throughout the state and the country. All degree programs are managed by program advisory committees, NRCTC’s curriculum committee, and are recognized by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.
16. Its undergraduate degree programs include a coherent general education requirement consistent with the institution’s mission and designed to ensure breadth of knowledge and to promote intellectual inquiry.
The mission of New River Community and Technical College is to provide comprehensive, quality higher education and workforce training programs and services that are financially, geographically, or electronically accessible and that meet individual, business, and community needs of a diverse population in the college’s eleven-county region of responsibility.
New River Community and Technical College provides associate degrees and certificates that are designed to address the identified skill needs of employers throughout the service region and provide students with an education that will enable them to build challenging and rewarding careers.
a. General Education Philosophy
The General Education core ensures that every student, regardless of major or career objectives, receives a versatile, broad-based education in liberal arts in order to assure the following:
1. The ability to communicate clearly, effectively, and self/confidently in speech and writing.
2. The ability to think critically and analytically and to formulate informed reasoned opinions on a range of issues.
3. A coherent sense of the cultural and historical backdrop to contemporary society and its problems.
4. Personal cultural enrichment through the appreciation of artistic endeavor.
5. Awareness of how global interconnectedness is shaping the economic, cultural, political, and technological systems of everyday life.
6. A commitment to learning as a life-long process.
7. An appreciation for the ways in which individual disciplines interconnect or compliment one another.
8. A sense of civic responsibility and a commitment to service.
New River Community and College’s general education core curriculum for associate degrees consists of eighteen (18) hours as outlined below:
Basic Skills Component
Composition (ENG 101, 102, 103) 6 hours
Mathematics 9MATH 101, 109, 210, GNET 115) 3 hours
One course selected from the following areas:
Statistics (MATH 210, 310)
or 3 hours
Computer Programming Language (COSC 110, 202, 230) (or)
Computer Application (COSC 102, BUSN 130, 140) ______
12 hours
Core Component
Courses selected from Core A, B, and/or C 6 hours
18 hours
17. It has admission policies and practices that are consistent with the institution’s mission and appropriate to its educational programs.
New River Community and Technical College has an open-door admissions policy that is consistent with the college’s mission to provide comprehensive education to its service district. Students must meet the general education development (GED) requirements or have a high school diploma. Other persons may be admitted on a conditional basis but are evaluated at the conclusion of each semester of enrollment to determine whether college-level academic performance indicates an ability to continue their studies. Neither regular nor conditional admission ensures the entry of applicants into specific degree programs.