Associate Degree & Certificate Information

This is a draft edition of the 2025-2026 catalog. Information contained within is subject to change.

Associate Degree Programs

The Associate of Science (A.S.) and Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees are designed for the student who desires a concentrated program (usually technical in nature) in preparation for employment in health, industry or public service.

General Requirements for Associate Programs

A student must1:

  • Complete the general studies and major requirements;
  • Earn a minimum of 60 credit hours (100 level and higher, maximum of 6 CED credit hours applicable);
  • Earn an overall GPA of at least 2.0;
  • Earn a major GPA of at least 2.0;
  • Earn 20 of the last 30 credit hours at MWSU in institutional coursework (exclusive of credit by examination);
  • Participate in required departmental and campus-wide assessments; 
  • Fulfill the Missouri Constitution requirement; and
  • Successfully pass the Missouri Higher Education Civics Achievement exam.
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Some associate degree programs may require more than 60 credit hours, may require a higher GPA, may have minimum grade requirements and may have additional certification requirements. (See actual degree program for specific requirements.)

General Studies Requirements for Associate Degrees

The required general studies curriculum consists of a common core which assures that all associate degree-seeking students will be provided the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills to:

  • Think critically and reason analytically;
  • Write and speak clearly and effectively;
  • Function as an enlightened citizen of our democratic society;
  • Develop an appreciation of the cultural aspects of civilization;
  • Appreciate the means for gaining and maintaining mental and physical health. 
Category One - Mathematical Science
Select one of the following courses:3-5
MAT 110
Contemporary Problem Solving
MAT 110E
Contemporary Problem Solving
MAT 111
Introductory Statistics
MAT 111E
Introductory Statistics
MAT 112
Finite Mathematics
MAT 116
College Algebra
MAT 147
Applied Calculus
MAT 167
Calculus with Analytic Geometry I
Category Two: Written Communications3
ENG 104
College Writing and Rhetoric
Category Three: Oral Communications3
COM 104
Oral Communication
Select three credit hours from two of the following groups
Group One - Natural Sciencs4-5
BIO 101
Principles of Biology
BIO 105
Principles of Organismal Biology
BIO 106
Principles of Cell Biology
BIO 250
Anatomy and Physiology
CHE 101
Introductory Chemistry
CHE 111
General Chemistry I
ESC 111
Physical Geology
GEO 160
Physical Geography
PHY 101
How Things Work
PHY 104
Introduction to Astronomy
PHY 107
Introduction to Physics
PHY 110
College Physics I
PHY 210
University Physics I
Group Two - Social and Behavioral Sciences3
HIS 140
American History to 1865 1
HIS 141
African American History to 1865
HIS 150
American History since 1865 1
HIS 151
African American History from 1865 to Present
PSC 101
American National Government 1
CRJ 100
Introduction to Criminal Justice
ECO 101
Current Issues in the Economy
ECO 260
Principles of Macroeconomics
GEO 100
World Geography
HIS 120
Modern World History
PSC 200
International Politics
PSC 210
Comparative Political Systems
PSY 101
General Psychology
PSY 240
Life-Span Developmental Psychology
SOC 110
Introduction to Sociology
SOC 120
General Anthropology
SOC 230
Social Problems
Group Three - Humanities and Fine Arts3
ART 100
Introduction to Art
ART 205
Survey of Art History I
ART 255
Survey of Art History II
HIS 200
Ancient and Medieval Civilization
HIS 210
Early Modern Europe
HIS 230
Modern Europe: 1789 to the Present
HUM 203
Humanities: Ancient and Medieval
HUM 204
Humanities: Middle Ages to the French Revolution
HUM 205
Humanities: American Revolution to the Present
CIN 100
Film Appreciation
FRE 100
Elementary French I
FRE 101
Elementary French II
SPA 100
Elementary Spanish I
SPA 101
Elementary Spanish II
ENG 210
Approaches to Literature
MUS 101
Perspectives in Music
MUS 103
Fundamentals of Music
MUS 415
Jazz History
ART 110
Beginning Drawing I
ENG 245
Introduction to Creative Writing
MUS 145
Marching Band
MUS 146
Concert Band
PHL 210
Introduction to Philosophy
PHL 219
Reasoning and Argumentation
PHL 220
Symbolic Logic
PHL 230
Ethics
PHL 231
Healthcare Ethics
PHL 232
Business Ethics
REL 260
Introduction to Biblical Studies
THR 113
Introduction to Theatre
Total Credit Hours 15-19
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This course will meet the Missouri Constitution requirement.

Undergraduate Certificates

Missouri Western State University undergraduate certificates provide a path of study in focused subject areas. Certificates can stand alone or be combined with an associate or bachelor’s degree.

Undergraduate certificate programs at Missouri Western State University range from 12-33 credit hours. A student may pursue a certificate and major, emphasis or concentration in the same academic area. The coursework earned for a certificate will count toward an undergraduate degree or minor, however, students may not earn a certificate and a minor in the same field. Specific course requirements are listed under the department administering the program.

Certificate completion will be notated on the academic transcript and a diploma will be issued.

Note: Students earning a stand-alone certificate are not eligible to participate in the Missouri Western commencement ceremony. Additionally, if the certificate contains less than 16 credit hours the student will be admitted to the university as non-degree seeking.

General Requirements for Undergraduate Certificates

A student must1:

  • Complete the required courses for the certificate;
  • Earn half of certificate requirements at Missouri Western State University 
  • Earn an overall GPA of at least 2.0;
  • Earn a major GPA of at least 2.0;
  • Earn 9 of the last 15 credit hours at MWSU in institutional coursework (exclusive of credit by examination); and
  • Participate in required departmental and campus-wide assessments.
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Some certificates may require a higher GPA, may have minimum grade requirements and may have additional certification requirements. (See actual degree program for specific requirements.)

Microcredential

Microcredentials verify and validate that specific skills and/or competencies have been achieved.  They are designed to be delivered in a shorter and/or more flexible timespan and are available to both degree-seeking and non-degree seeking students.  Microcredentials represent credit-bearing study in response to rapidly changing workforce demands.  They will contain 9-13 semester credits with a rolling admission for entry.  Areas offering one or more microcredentials are the departments of Chemistry, Communication, Education and Psychology. 

Students who have completed all microcredential requirements will be identified at the end of each semester or summer term and subsequently issued a certificate of completion. Microcredentials will not be recorded on the student's Missouri Western transcript.

General Requirements for the Microcredential

A student must1:

  • Complete the required courses for the microcredential;
  • Earn a minimum of 9 credit hours (transfer coursework will not be accepted);
  • Earn a GPA of at least 2.0 in the required coursework;
  • Degree-seeking students cannot earn a microcredential in the same area as their major, emphasis, or concentration;
  • Degree-seeking student must earn a minimum of 3 credit hours beyond their major, emphasis, concentration, and general studies requirements;
  • Participate in required departmental and campus-wide assessments.
1

Some microcredentials may require more than 9 credit hours, may require a higher GPA, may have minimum grade requirements and may have additional certification requirements. (See actual degree program for specific requirements.)