Academic policies
In addition to satisfying all degree requirements below, students should be familiar with the campus’ Academic Policies and Procedures. Students are encouraged to consult with their academic advisor or the office of the registration and records if they have questions regarding any of the academic policies. Note: these policies may change from year to year and such changes apply to all future, current, continuing and returning students.
Degrees offered
Certificate: Certificate programs meet specific, short-term training and educational needs of students by combining core and specialty courses into focused, flexible training packages that more immediately meet employment needs. If a student later decides to seek advanced education, many of the certificate courses may be combined with the advanced courses for associate of applied science degrees.
Associate of Arts Degree (AA): The Associate in Arts (AA) degree is designed for those intending to transfer to a four-year college, majoring in areas such as the arts, humanities, social sciences, education or general studies. In addition, the AA degree provides the most flexibility for students undecided about a transfer college or major. Refer to the specific degree program page for information.
Associate of Science Degree (AS): A specialized degree intended to transfer into a preprofessional degree, the AS allows students to enter the workforce and/or transfer into a bachelor’s degree completion program. Refer to the specific degree program page for information.
Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS): A specialized degree that is primarily an occupationally oriented degree, the AAS allows recipients of this degree to enter a particular job market. While not designed as transfer degrees, some AAS degrees can be used as the first two years of a Bachelor of Applied Science degree; however, students will need to take additional general education courses, as well as courses in the major field. Refer to the specific degree program page for information.
Early Degree Program: The Early Degree Program allows eligible juniors and seniors to simultaneously fulfill high school graduation requirements and Missouri State University- West Plains degree graduation requirements. The goal of this program is to provide a unique educational opportunity for academically meritorious high school students. Participating students attend classes at Missouri-State West Plains on Monday through Thursday and attend high school classes on Fridays. High school students interested in this option should contact their high-school counselor.
Dual Credit Program: Dual credit courses enable high school students to receive, simultaneously, both high school and college-level course credit. Missouri State University- West Plains has agreements with area high schools to provide high-performing high school students an affordable opportunity to experience high college-level courses. High school students interested in this option should contact their high-school counselor. Refer to “Dual Credit” for information.
Distance Learning: Opportunities for students to earn credit without traveling from their home area are available through distance learning technology. Students may receive courses from the West Plains campus sent to their home communities, be in a class on the West Plains campus that originates in another location, or take a course online. Refer to the specific degree program page for information.
Bachelor’s and master’s degrees: Missouri State University-Springfield offers bachelor’s, master’s and specialist degree programs on the West Plains campus through the Missouri State Outreach program. By using interactive video and on-site instruction, entire degree programs can be completed on the Missouri State University-West Plains campus. Refer to the specific degree program page for information.
Components of a degree
Student Responsibility
It is the student’s responsibility to become familiar with and meet all requirements for a specific degree. Advisors may be consulted for recommendations, but the student must monitor his/her own progress toward a degree.
Graduation Procedures
In order to graduate, a student must:
- At the time of registration for the semester in which s/he intends to graduate, complete an application for graduation form online in MyGrizzlyDen or in the registration and records office
- If desired, arrange for tassels, announcements, rings, etc., through the Drago College Store. The cap and gown is covered by the student service fees and can be arranged through the Drago College Store.
Before a student may graduate, an audit of the student’s record will be made to verify graduation eligibility. A commencement ceremony is held each spring for students completing their degree during the prior fall semester, the current spring semester or the summer session that follows the spring semester during which an application to graduate has been submitted and approved. Students with a 2.0 GPA who still need to complete 10 or fewer credit hours in their degree program during the summer semester must appeal to walk during the spring commencement ceremony. Students who wish to participate in the ceremony must apply online through MyGrizzlyDen or in the registration and records office at the time of spring registration.
General Degree Requirements & Procedures
- Catalog of Graduation: Students shall satisfy the general education requirements in effect upon first enrollment at Missouri State University-West Plains. Other special degree requirements in effect at the time the student files a degree program shall be satisfied. If a student re-enrolls after an absence of two major semesters, excluding summer, from Missouri State University-West Plains, requirements in effect in the catalog at the time of readmission must be satisfied. Missouri State University-West Plains dual enrollment/dual credit students will follow the catalog that is in effect upon first enrollment after high school graduation. Nondegree-seeking students shall satisfy the catalog requirements of the catalog in effect when they become degree-seeking students. When students change degree programs (e.g., from the AA in General Studies to the AS in Nursing), they shall satisfy the catalog in effect when the change becomes effective.
- Credits and Grade Point Average: A candidate for an associate degree is required to make at least a 2.00 grade point average on the degree requirements (excluding electives) and a 2.00 grade point average on all work attempted at Missouri State University-West Plains, as well as a 2.00 grade point average on all college work (Missouri State University-West Plains and transfer combined).
- Residence: To receive an associate degree from Missouri State University-West Plains, the student must complete at least 15 credits in residence on the West Plains campus, its extended campuses or via online course offerings through Missouri State-West Plains. To receive a certificate from Missouri State University-West Plains, the student must complete a number of credit hours in residence on the West Plains campus that compose no less than 25 percent of the total credits required for the certificate or, for certificates requiring less than 24 credit hours, no fewer than six credit hours of Missouri State-West Plains courses. Appeals for exemption to this policy should be addressed to the vice chancellor of academic affairs.
- Time Limit: Students must complete their academic program at Missouri State University-West Plains within six years. Any student requiring more than six years to complete the degree must adopt the guidelines of the new catalog.
- Advisement: Each student is responsible for developing a program of study and for selecting courses that will meet the requirements for the student’s chosen degree. First time freshmen will be assigned an advisor as soon as they are admitted. Students should carefully review the requirements for degree completion prior to registering for each semester.
- Civics Exam Requirement: Beginning with the Fall 2019, all first time students who are seeking an associate or bachelor degree are required to take the Missouri Higher Education Civics Achievement Examination, also known as the Missouri Civics Exam. The exam is a graduation requirement for students at public colleges and universities in the state, and is a result of Missouri Senate Bill 807. The exam can be taken at any time but must be finished prior to graduation. Students must earn at least a 70% on the exam. Students may take the test as many times as needed to earn a 70%. The exam is taken through Brightspace.
Philosophy of General Education
The purpose of a general education core of courses is to introduce students to a wide variety of knowledge, a higher concept of knowledge, and to show them how to make it their own. Missouri State University-West Plains endorses the philosophy and purpose of a general education core required for each student completing an associate degree, ensuring that they have a breadth of educational experiences which will enable them to develop communication and critical thinking skills and to acquire knowledge (civic, historical, mathematical, scientific, literary, etc.) and value perspectives. The actual number of required hours of general education courses varies depending on the type of associate degree - Associate of Arts, Associate of Science or Associate of Applied Science.
Second Degree
Students who have met all requirements may be awarded an additional associate degree in another field of study provided the following requirements are met:
- Must fulfill the general and specific requirements for the second degree.
- Must complete a minimum of 15 credit hours, which are directly applicable to the second degree and in addition to those presented for the first degree. Multiple use of Courses - Courses may be counted toward meeting the requirements in more than one area of the two degrees (for example, BMS 267 may be used to meet a specific requirement for the AS Nursing degree and four hours of electives on the AA General Studies degree) unless specifically prohibited by the academic departments and so stated in the catalog.
- Must graduate under the provisions of the Missouri State University-West Plains catalog in effect when the student files a degree program for a second degree.
Transferability
To ensure transferability of credits, students should obtain and study catalogs from the four year colleges or universities to which they are considering transferring, including Missouri State University-Springfield. Students should follow the degree requirements of the transfer institution.
Students who have not chosen a major should concentrate on general education requirements. Students should be aware certain majors require specific general education courses. For assistance in choosing a major, students should contact their advisors.
Effective fall 1995, credit hours earned at Missouri State University-West Plains will be considered as community college hours by most four-year senior institutions. Check with the intended transfer institution for specific questions regarding transferability.
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