Planned project kickoff date: 04-12-2007
Target completion date: 09-14-2009
Actual completion date: --

Building Graduate Programs

Western will develop the infrastructure and curriculum for the Master of Applied Science and the Master of Applied Arts degrees. Students will be admitted beginning the fall semester of 2007. A continuous improvement model will be applied to the degree programs, the support services, and the administrative processes associated with graduate program offerings at Western. This Project has received external review from the Provost at Southeast Missouri State University. The Project will receive $100,000 Strategic Planning Implementation Funds (SPIF) for each of three years. The institution has also committed $100,000 in scholarship funding for graduate programs.

Primary Category: Helping Students Learn

On August 28, 2005, Missouri Western State College became Missouri Western State University. The change to university status was strongly supported by students, graduates, faculty and staff, Western’s Board of Governors, regional businesses and industries, the St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce and local governments. Changing the status of Western from an undergraduate college to a university was a top priority for each of these groups. The legislation that authorized the name change also authorized Western to offer masters degree programs and gave the institution a statewide mission in applied learning. The Higher Learning Commission extended the accreditation of Missouri Western State University to include the Masters of Applied Science and the Masters of Applied Arts in December 2006. The visiting team that recommended that extension suggested that Western develop an Action Project in Graduate Programs. The Master of Applied Science degree with options in Chemistry, Information Technology Management and Human Factors and Usability Testing was approved by the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education in December 2006. With an established reputation for quality undergraduate programs that emphasize applied learning for our students and faculty involvement in applied research, Western’s graduate programs will continue to emphasize applied research and applied learning. The initial degree offerings, the Master of Applied Science and the Master of Applied Arts, are interdisciplinary professional masters degree programs designed to respond to changing workforce needs and to prepare graduates for present and future professional opportunities. The degrees will provide graduates with the appropriate knowledge and skills required by the professions and industries. These degrees have been developed in concert with practicing career professionals and will prepare graduates for work in various professional fields. The emergence of Western as an institution of higher education offering graduate programs will have a strong impact on the region. Through the development of graduate programs, Western is better able to share our intellectual resources and to respond to regional educational needs. Individuals, organizations and business/industry will benefit from the opportunities that advanced education presents. Western currently contributes an economic impact of about $161 million per year to the region; the economic impact with the expansion of graduate programs will be significantly greater.

The departments and units most affected by this project include: the academic departments offering the degree programs, support units (such as Admissions Office, Financial Aid, Grants and Sponsored Programs, Institutional Research Office, Instructional Media Center, Library Services, Registrar’s Office, Student Development, Student Services), and the administrative offices of the Graduate Dean and the Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs. The Graduate Council at MWSU is responsible for developing and recommending University policy and procedures for graduate study; establishing standards and criteria, and approving graduate curriculum in accordance with existing University policies; and, through the Graduate Dean, for advising the administration on matters affecting the administration of graduate education. This includes graduate offerings, student policies, and graduate faculty appointments.

Processes for the administration of graduate programs at Missouri Western State University will be developed. These processes include • Selection, Admission, Registration, and Progression of graduate students • Development of Graduate Curriculum • Functions of the Graduate Council • Graduate Student Support Services

(April 2007 – September 2009). This project is designed as a three- year project with annual goals. Rationale for Length of Time: Three years will be needed to fully implement the assessment plan. Goals and Mileposts: April 2007 – September 2007 1. Form Graduate Council 2. Establish Graduate Council Bylaws 3. Form Graduate Council Standing Committees 4. Work with the support areas (admissions, financial aid, registrar, library, business office) to establish effective policies and procedures for graduate students 5. Secure sufficient resources for the graduate programs 6. Complete the development of the Graduate Web site 7. Develop a plan for publicizing the available programs 8. Develop a schedule of courses 9. Admit students to begin fall semester of 2007 10. Develop a comprehensive assessment plan for graduate education at Western September 2007- September 2008 1. Implement the assessment plan 2. Continue to respond to regional needs in the development of additional graduate programs 3. Secure funding for graduate scholarships and graduate assistantships September 2008 – September 2009 1. Develop additional graduate programs that respond to regional needs 2. Develop a graduate student association 3. Continue to assess and improve the quality of graduate education at Western

A Strategic Plan Implementation Team has been established to monitor and report on the progress on Building Graduate Programs. This team will report quarterly to the Strategic Plan Steering Committee. In addition, the Graduate Council and the Graduate Dean will have responsibility in monitoring the quality of graduate programs and the associated policies and procedures.

1. Assessment plan will be fully implemented. 2. Students are enrolled in the degree programs, progressing, graduating, and securing jobs. 3. MAA degree will be implemented.