West Virginia placed last in the nation for the number of adults who have received a bachelor's degree, according to a study by the U.S. Census Bureau.
The study showed 18.75 percent of West Virginia adults, ages 25 and older, have obtained bachelor's degrees. Twenty-five percent of them have obtained associate's degrees.
West Virginia was behind the national average of 24.4 percent with a bachelor's degree.
Roy Nutter, WVU Advisory Council of Faculty representative, proposed a plan to allow West Virginia students to graduate with bachelor's degrees after completing 120 hours.
Currently, students are required to complete 128 hours before obtaining a bachelor's degree.
"College institutions may need to apply more emphasis on college access and graduation records," said Rob Anderson, senior
director of Policy and Planning of WVHEPC.
"Students need support to earn degrees, because it is more profitable for the individual and the state as a whole," he said.
Administrations should provide more advising and tutoring opportunities to help students succeed, Anderson said.
The statistic was brought to the attention of Brian
Noland, chancellor of the West Virginia Higher Education
Policy Commission.
Noland hopes to improve the statistic by pushing policy makers to evaluate what the state needs for educational, economic and demographic conditions, he said in a presentation to the WVHEPC.
More individuals who obtain college degrees would help to diversify and expand the state's regional economies, he said in the presentation.
It would also increase the competitiveness of the state's workforce, he said.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics stated that nine of the 10 fastest growing occupations are in health or information technology fields.
An associate's degree or a baccalaureate degree is necessary for six of the 10, while all require a very solid educational background, the report said.
Noland would like West Virginia to examine the relationship between the statistics and the educational opportunities that are available to ensure that academic programming meets state needs.
WVU's plan will be taken to a new study group chaired by Kathy Butler. Faculty will also be included on the committee and the decision will be released at a later date.