Pathways to Master's
The Pathways to Master's program is a collaborative effort between the WVU RBA program and various WVU graduate programs
to provide current RBA students with a direct path to various graduate degrees
at the university, if set criteria are met.
Upon completing their RBA degree programs, qualifying students will be ready to
move into their Master’s program. We currently offer RBA to Master’s in:
Who are the Pathways to Master's Programs best suited for?
These programs are specifically designed for current RBA students:
- With desires to further their intellectual curiosity and capacity.
- That are diverse and highly competitive with extensive work experiences
across various fields.
- That are driven and committed to succeed.
- That are aiming to fast-track their careers.
What are the benefits?
- Joining the RBA Pathways to Master's program eliminates uncertainty by assuring your progression
into graduate program, if all criteria are met.
-
Students are assigned a dedicated and knowledgeable advisor that helps the
progression process and facilitate transition to Master’s programs.
-
GRE/GMAT/MAT exams requirements are waived for entrance into master's programs if you have 5 or more years of professional work experience (Note: This does not apply for those interested in the Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling pathway).
Frequently Asked Questions
Online Hybrid MBA
The RBA-Hybrid MBA pathway was designed with students in both business and non-business
sectors in mind. One of the great values of the program is that it allows students
– both veterans and newcomers to a particular area of business – to pursue a graduate
degree while working full-time which allows for continued professional growth and
enhancement of market value. Furthermore, on-campus residencies promotes an environment for collaboration
and networking wherein students can connect with peers to advance their experiences
through experiential learning and exchanging of ideas to address tangible issues.
Entry Requirements:
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GPA
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3.0 or Higher. |
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Required courses
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ECON 201 and 202 (or BUSA 201); ACCT 201 and 202 (or BUSA 202); and ECON 225 or STAT
211 with "C" grades or higher.
|
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Standardized exam
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GRE and/or GMAT scores will be waived with 5 years of professional work experience.
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Other requirements
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Purpose statement and 1-3 letters of recommendation. |
Key Facts:
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Program length
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48 credit hours/2 years. Typically 9 credits taken in Spring & Fall, and 6 in
Summer.
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Admission cycles
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Fall and Spring.
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Career paths
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Management, Finance, Marketing, Strategic Communication, Supply Chain Management,
Management Information Systems, etc.
|
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Program Delivery
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Hybrid. Primarily online, but there are 4 mandatory 3-4 day residencies, which will be discussed during your orientation session.
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Structure
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Cohort based. |
Corporate & Organizational Communication
The RBA-Corporate and Organizational Communication pathway was specifically crafted
for students interested in enhancing their knowledge and communications
skills. Combining experiential learning with courses such as Organizational Research
and Evaluation, Leadership, Communication Campaigns, Persuasion, and Conflict
in the Organization will enable students to reach career objectives by applying
the knowledge and skills learned.
Entry Requirements:
|
GPA
|
3.0 or Higher. |
|
Required courses
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None. However, it is highly recommended that students consider the Comm AOE or Minor.
|
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Standardized exam
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None.
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Key Facts:
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Program length
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36 credit hours/2 years.
|
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Admission cycles
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Fall, Spring, and Summer. |
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Career paths
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Management, Marketing, Social Media, Human Resources, Training &
Development Specialist, Sales, etc.
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Program Delivery
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Online.
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Structure
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Cohort based. |
Legal Studies
The RBA-Legal Studies pathway is ideal for mid-career professionals who are interested
in gaining a better foundation for working with or enhancing their comprehension
of laws and regulations but do not desire to obtain a professional law degree.
By developing legal and critical thinking skills, students will be able to gain
familiarity with the law through general or specialized tracks as a means to improve
career prospects.
Entry Requirements:
|
GPA
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3.0 or Higher. |
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Recommended courses
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POLS 210, 220, 230, and 240; SOCA 232, 233, and 234, or SOWK courses for those interested
in Human Services related fields.
|
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Standardized exam
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GRE, GMAT, or LSAT. This will be waived if student has 5+ years of professional
work experience and other criteria are met.
|
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Other requirements
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Letter of intention documenting reasons for applying and career aspirations
along with 2 recommendation letters. |
Key Facts:
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Program length
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30 credit hours/18 months.
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Admission cycles
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Spring, Summer and Fall.
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Career paths
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Law Enforcement, Court Administration, Non-Profit Management, Healthcare
Administration, Human Services, etc. |
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Program Delivery
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Online.
|
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Structure
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Not cohort based. |
Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling
The RBA-Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling pathway is designed
for individuals that are committed to improving both the emotional and mental
welfare of others. This program will help provide the necessary critical thinking,
skills, and knowledge to help clients mitigate and/or overcome their life challenges.
Graduates will be eligible to sit for their certification as Certified Rehabilitation
Counselors (CRC), which is certified through the National Board for Certified
Counselor (NBCC) before possibly becoming Licensed Professional Counselors.
Entry Requirements:
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GPA
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3.0 or Higher. |
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Required courses
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Minor in Human Services (COUN); ENGL 101, 102, PSYC 101, STAT (111, 201, or
211), and 6 hours of “W” courses - ENGL 304, 305, POLS 220, WGST 330 with
B or higher. Optional minors: Disability Studies, Family and Youth Studies,
Psychology, Family and Consumer Science, Special Education, and Early Intervention.
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Standardized exam
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GRE or MAT. There is no minimum score set.
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Other requirements
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Personal statement outlining interest in the program and career objectives,
and 3 letters of recommendation.
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Key Facts:
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Program length
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60 credit hours/2 and 3 years tracks.
|
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Admission cycles
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ONLY Fall semester. Application deadline: March 15th. |
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Career paths
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Mental Health, Intervention or Substance abuse, Consultation, Service Coordination,
Case Management, Veterans Administration, etc.
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Program Delivery
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Hybrid. There are 2 mandatory one-week on-campus residences.
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Structure
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Cohort based. |
Integrated Marketing Communications
The RBA-Integrated Marketing Communications pathway provides students with the needed
training to develop and execute marketing strategies to ensure results. Central
to the program is the flexibility that it allows to customize one’s study plan
to meet their individual career objectives.
Entry Requirements:
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GPA
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3.0 or Higher. |
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Required courses
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At least one minor offered through the Reed College of Media. All minor required courses must be completed with a C grade or higher.
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Standardized exam
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GRE or GMAT. But this will be waived if student has 5+ years of professional
work experience.
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Other requirements
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Personal statement outlining your interest in the program and career objectives,
and 3 letters of recommendation. |
Key Facts:
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Program length
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33 credit hours/2 years.
|
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Admission cycles
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Fall, Spring, and Summer |
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Career paths
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Marketing, Advertising, Corporate Communication, Market Research and Analysis,
Public Relations, Social Media, etc. |
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Program Delivery
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Online.
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Structure
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Not cohort based. |
Sport Coaching
This pathway is geared toward students that are interested in pursuing a career
in the sports and coaching-related fields. Upon completion of the program, students
will have sound critical thinking and decision-making skills together with a
firm understanding of sports sciences in order to excel in their careers.
Entry Requirements:
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GPA
|
3.0 or Higher. |
|
Recommended courses
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Courses in Kinesiology (EXPH 364 at WVU), Biomechanics (ATTR 427 at WVU), Exercise
Physiology (EXPH 365 at WVU), PET 125 - Principles of Human Movement. Students
may also elect to take similar courses at Community Colleges in order to
best prepare them for the ACE program.
|
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Standardized exam
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None. |
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Other requirements
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Personal statement outlining your interest in the program and career objectives,
Sport resume, and 2 recommendation letters.
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Key Facts:
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Program length
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31 credit hours/2 years.
|
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Admission cycles
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ONLY Fall semester. Application deadline: February 1st. |
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Career paths
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Strength and Conditioning, Recreation Management, Sports Media or Journalism, Coaching,
Coaching education, etc.
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Program Delivery
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Online.
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Structure
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Cohort based. |
Instructional Design & Technology (IDT)
The pathway is designed for individuals that are interested in learning and using
current technological trends and tools to best design learning and training strategies
to meet expected goals. Knowledge, skills and experience learned will be able
to translate to Public schools, higher education, and corporate and non-profit
institutions.
Entry Requirements:
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GPA
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3.0 or Higher. |
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Required courses
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Complete one course from each category with C or higher. Category 1: ENGL 304
or BBUS 220 Business and Technical Writing (WV Rocks); Category 2: RITL 300
Advance Digital Literacy, 301 Orientation to Technology Applications, 302
Digital Citizenship, 400 Introduction to New Literacies, 401 Pedagogy of
New Literacies and Applied Critical Thinking, 402 Production of Instruction
Technology Materials (WV Rocks). |
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Standardized exam
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Scores of an English Proficiency test following WVU's English Language proficiency requirements if you are an international student. |
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Other requirements
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eportfolio comprising of: cover letter outlining work experiences and goals
for graduate study, resume/vitae, narrative describing two years of professional work experience,3 recommendation letters, and description of learning experiences in two prerequisite courses.Click here for detailed eportfolio guidelines.
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Key Facts:
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Program length
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30 credit hours/2 years.
|
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Admission cycles
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Fall (application deadline June, 30th), Spring (November, 1st), and Summer
(April, 1st) |
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Career paths
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Instructional Design, Consulting, Training and development, eLearning support and
management, Curriculum development, etc.
|
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Program Delivery
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Online.
|
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Structure
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Cohort based. |