WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Members of the Missouri State University Board of Governors today approved two “memorandums of understanding” (MOU) between Missouri State University-West Plains and the South Central Career Center (SCCC) allowing university students to use credits they’ve earned in culinary arts and manufacturing technology at SCCC toward associate’s degrees or certificates in those disciplines offered by the university.
Culinary arts is an option of the Associate of Applied Science in Entrepreneurship degree, and manufacturing technology is an option of the Associate of Applied Science in Technology degree. Certificate programs in culinary arts and manufacturing technology also are offered by Missouri State-West Plains.
“Being able to offer these two programs has only come about because we have such a great partner in the SCCC,” said Dr. Dennis Lancaster, dean of academic affairs. “Without the career center, these two degrees and their accompanying certificate programs would not have been possible for us at Missouri State-West Plains perhaps for several years, if at all. Plus, these are coming at a critical time for the residents of this area, which both institutions serve under their different but intertwined missions. With pending job layoffs in the area, these programs may be the opportunity those needing additional training will need to land that next manufacturing position or to do something that they’ve always wanted to, like working in the restaurant and hospitality business.”
According to the culinary arts MOU, Missouri State-West Plains will be responsible for admission and financial aid processes for the two courses taken by university students, Culinary Arts I (FCA 150) and Culinary Arts II (FCA 155), as well as the course curriculum, although both parties will cooperate in the development of the latter. University officials also will be responsible for maintaining student transcripts.
Students enrolled in the courses through the university will pay Missouri State-West Plains tuition and fees, and the university will pay SCCC $158 per student per credit hour for delivery of the courses. Both courses are worth 12 credit hours.
SCCC officials will provide course instruction, under terms of the MOU. The instructors will be employees of the West Plains R-7 School District/SCCC, receiving compensation and benefits from the district; however, their credentials will be consistent with university requirements.
The responsibilities and requirements of the university and SCCC outlined in the MOU for manufacturing technology courses is the same as the culinary arts MOU; however, six courses are covered under its terms: Manufacturing Materials and Processes (TEC 111), Employment in Manufacturing Occupation (TEC 123), Manufacturing Machine Technology (TEC 165), Welding Technology (TEC 175), Mechanical Systems and Fluid Power (TEC 245) and Automated Manufacturing (TEC 275). Each course is three credit hours.
Lancaster pointed out West Plains R-7 School officials already have given their approval to the culinary arts MOU and are expected to take action on the manufacturing MOU at their May 19 meeting. Even so, he said the programs’ eligibility for federal financial aid has not yet been approved, adding those approvals will be forthcoming in the next few weeks or months.
For more information about the MOUs or the courses, contact the Missouri State-West Plains academic affairs office at 417-255-7272.