Admission to the Adult Degree Program (ADP)

You should live in or very near the Commonwealth of Virginia and be at least 21 years old or have an associate's degree with a minimum GPA of 2.0.. We are looking for male and female students with maturity and the ability to work independently toward a goal.
You should have completed high school or hold a high school equivalency certificate. We recommend very strongly that students have some college experience before entering the program, and we look for a GPA of at least 2.0 for recent college work.
You should have skills for continued learning, which include the ability to read discerningly and write clearly.
You should be prepared to participate actively in the development of an individualized, comprehensive degree plan that provides breadth of knowledge in the liberal arts and depth in a particular area of interest.
You should prepare a well-written, one-page goal statement discussing your educational and personal goals, principal interest and concerns and reason for selecting the Adult Degree Program

Guidelines for those already enrolled at MBC in the Traditional Program:

Completion of a one-year waiting period after the last semester registered before applying to the ADP;
A minimum GPA of 2.0;
Letter of recommendation from the Dean of Students;
Attendance at an ADP information session (schedule available from the Staunton Office) or completion of a preliminary interview with an ADP faculty advisor.

Transfer Credit

Advanced Standing Credit
You may bring into MBC a maximum of 99 semester hours of college credit. We do not require a minimum number of college credits to enroll, but we strongly recommend you gain some college experience before entering the Adult Degree Program.

Transfer Credit from Accredited Colleges and Universities
You may transfer appropriate coursework in which you earned a grade of "C" or better as long as it is from an accredited college or university. You may also continue to take courses at other institutions (and transfer that credit) after enrolling at MBC.

Credit by Examination
Another way to earn advanced standing credit is by taking College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests. The tests are divided into general examinations, which are designed to test your knowledge in five basic liberal arts areas (English composition, mathematics, natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences), and subject examinations, which cover a variety of specific subject areas. If you score at or above the appropriate level on a CLEP test, you receive three to six semester hours' credit to apply toward your degree.

Prior Learning Portfolio
You may have gained college-level knowledge in non-collegiate settings - through work, travel, reading, community service, and other educational and study experiences. You may apply for credit for this knowledge by preparing, with the help of your faculty advisor, a Prior Learning Portfolio and submitting it to the MBC faculty for evaluation.

Nationally Standardized Assessment
Your formal learning experiences sponsored by such non-collegiate agencies as the military and the American Institute of Banking can be assessed and awarded credit according to the recommendations of the American Council on Education (ACE).

Deadlines

Application deadlines are August 15, November 30, and April 30.
We recommend that you talk with an ADP faculty advisor before submitting your application.

Questions? Contact the Admissions Office.