Associate Degree & Certificate Information
Associate Degree Programs
The Associate of Science (AS) degree is designed for the student who desires a concentrated program (usually technical in nature) in preparation for employment in health, industry or public service. The degree is available with majors in Criminal Justice, and Legal Studies. An Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree is available with majors in Manufacturing Engineering Technology and Physical Therapist Assistant.
General Requirements for Associate Programs
A student must1:
- Complete the general studies and major requirements;
- Earn a minimum of 62 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 62 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.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Category One - Mathematical Science | ||
| Select one of the following courses: | 3-5 | |
| Contemporary Problem Solving | ||
| Contemporary Problem Solving | ||
| Introductory Statistics | ||
| Introductory Statistics | ||
| Finite Mathematics | ||
| College Algebra | ||
| Applied Calculus | ||
| Calculus with Analytic Geometry I | ||
| Category Two: Written Communications | 3 | |
| College Writing and Rhetoric | ||
| Category Three: Oral Communications | 3 | |
| Oral Communication | ||
| Select three credit hours from two of the following groups | ||
| Group One - Natural Sciencs | 4-5 | |
| Principles of Biology | ||
| Principles of Organismal Biology | ||
| Principles of Cell Biology | ||
| Anatomy and Physiology | ||
| Introductory Chemistry | ||
| General Chemistry I | ||
| Physical Geology | ||
| Physical Geography | ||
| How Things Work | ||
| Introduction to Astronomy | ||
| Introduction to Physics | ||
| College Physics I | ||
| University Physics I | ||
| Group Two - Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| American History to 1865 1 | ||
| American History since 1865 1 | ||
| American National Government 1 | ||
| Introduction to Criminal Justice | ||
| Current Issues in the Economy | ||
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| World Geography | ||
| Modern World History | ||
| International Politics | ||
| Comparative Political Systems | ||
| General Psychology | ||
| Life-Span Developmental Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| General Anthropology | ||
| Social Problems | ||
| Group Three - Humanities and Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Introduction to Art | ||
| Survey of Art History I | ||
| Survey of Art History II | ||
| Ancient and Medieval Civilization | ||
| Early Modern Europe | ||
| Modern Europe: 1789 to the Present | ||
| Humanities: Ancient and Medieval | ||
| Humanities: Middle Ages to the French Revolution | ||
| Humanities: American Revolution to the Present | ||
| Introduction to Film | ||
| Elementary French I | ||
| Elementary French II | ||
| Elementary Spanish I | ||
| Elementary Spanish II | ||
| Approaches to Literature | ||
| Perspectives in Music | ||
| Fundamentals of Music | ||
| History of Music: Ancient to Baroque | ||
| History of Music: Classical to Modern | ||
| Jazz History | ||
| Beginning Drawing I | ||
| Ceramics I | ||
| Fibers | ||
| Introduction to Creative Writing | ||
| Community Chorus | ||
| Marching Band | ||
| Concert Band | ||
| Orchestra | ||
| Stage Movement Workshop | ||
| Technical Production 1 | ||
| Voice and Diction | ||
| Acting I | ||
| Script Analysis | ||
| Introduction to Philosophy | ||
| Reasoning and Argumentation | ||
| Symbolic Logic | ||
| Ethics | ||
| Healthcare Ethics | ||
| Business Ethics | ||
| Religions of East Asia and Oceania | ||
| Religions of the West | ||
| Religions of South Asia and Africa | ||
| Introduction to Biblical Studies | ||
| Religion of the Hebrew Bible | ||
| Religion of the New Testament | ||
| Introduction to Theatre | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 15-19 | |
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This course will meet the Missouri Constitution requirement.
One-Year Certificates
Missouri Western State University offers certificates in Legal Assistant and in Health Information Technology. To earn the certificate, students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours with a minimum overall GPA of 2.0. Specific course requirements are listed under the department administering the program.
General Requirements for One-Year Certificates
A student must1:
- Complete the required courses for the certificate;
- Earn a minimum of 30 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 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 more than 30 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.)
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.
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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.)