Academic Outreach and Distance Learning

Steven Robinette, Director
400 Alumni Center
Phone: (417) 836-4128, Fax: (417) 836-6016
Email: CE@missouristate.edu
Web site: http://ce.missouristate.edu/

Academic Outreach works with academic departments and colleges throughout the University to provide a wide range of credit courses at off-campus sites beyond the Springfield campus, using traditional off-campus instruction and technology-based delivery systems. The academic programs offered through the Extended Campus undergo the same academic review and scrutiny as academic programs offered in traditional settings. The Extended Campus has the administrative and technology infrastructure, faculty support, and student support services necessary to meet the needs of distance learning students.

Missouri State Off-campus branch office sites include:

• Joplin, MO – Joplin Graduate Center, Missouri Southern State University campus
• Lebanon, MO – Nelson Education Center
• West Plains, MO – Missouri State University, West Plains

Traditional On-Site Instruction 

On-site instruction involves faculty driving from the Springfield campus or faculty hired from the local community who teach classes in a face-to-face format. Classes or programs are offered at many high schools or branch locations throughout southwest Missouri. Programs offered on-site include the Specialist Degree and Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and other courses by special arrangement. Courses and programs offered through traditional on-site instruction or BearNet at our branch office locations are listed below.

Joplin: Joplin graduate students can complete Master of Science in Education (Elementary), Master of Business Administration, or Master of Social Work degrees through the Joplin Graduate Center on the Missouri Southern State University campus. The Master of Arts in Teaching is a cooperative program offered by Missouri State and MSSU in Joplin. Courses in educational administration, secondary education, reading and special education, or middle school are also often taught in Joplin. In addition to “on-site” courses, the Joplin Graduate Center is also a current BearNet interactive video site.

Lebanon: Courses taught at the Nelson Education Center in Lebanon can apply toward bachelor's degrees in elementary education, general business, and technology management; master’s degrees in business administration, educational administration, and elementary education; and a specialist degree in educational administration. Students can complete the entire Master of Business Administration degree with courses offered in Lebanon. Courses are delivered to Lebanon from the Springfield campus via the BearNet interactive network.

West Plains: A variety of undergraduate upper-division courses are available through a combination of “on-site” instruction and those delivered via the BearNet interactive video network on the West Plains Campus. West Plains students who complete an associate’s degree can complete a Bachelor of Applied Science in General Agriculture, Bachelor of Science degree in General Business, Bachelor of Science in Education degree in Elementary Education, or a Bachelor of Applied Science in Technology Management from the Springfield campus through BearNet or on-site instruction. Education and Counseling students will find a large number of graduate-level courses and degrees offered in West Plains, while Nursing students may complete classes that apply toward a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. 

Technology-Based Delivery Systems

The distance learning strategy of the Extended Campus involves three major delivery systems: interactive video (BearNet), Internet-based instruction (Missouri State University Online), and telecourses (including interactive CD). Each of these systems is discussed in more detail below.

Interactive Video (BearNet)

Technology-based courses delivered via BearNet, are offered multipoint at BearNet sites. BearNet has been and is currently being used to enable students and communities to connect almost anywhere in the world with interactive video capabilities. Current BearNet sites include:

• Branson, MO – Branson High School
• El Reno, OK – Redlands Community College
• Harrison, AR – North Arkansas College
• Joplin, MO – Joplin Graduate Center, Missouri Southern State University campus
• Lebanon, MO – Nelson Education Center
• Miami, OK – Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College
• Monett, MO – Monett High School
• Mountain Grove, MO – Missouri State University, Mountain Grove
• Neosho, MO – Crowder College campus
• Nevada, MO – Nevada Telecenter
• West Plains, MO – Missouri State University, West Plains

Internet Based Instruction (Missouri State Online)

Missouri State University’s online program offers students from all over the world the opportunity to take classes without ever having to come to campus. Taking college classes via the Internet allows for a “student-centered” approach to learning. Using the World Wide Web, instructors develop course materials specifically tailored for online delivery—everything from the syllabus to class discussions. Students can access their courses “anytime, anyplace” using a personal computer and a graphics enabled browser, such as Internet Explorer. Students participate through outside study that includes readings, research, assignments, etc., and then use the Internet to share in-class discussions with fellow classmates and the instructor. In addition, Missouri State Online students can register, order textbooks, do library research and get technical assistance via the Internet. For more information, visit the web site at: http://msonline.missouristate.edu.

Telecourses and Interactive CD Courses

Missouri State University has produced telecourses and interactive CD courses that fulfill general educational requirements. These courses are ideal for the student who has limited time to spend in the classroom due to work, traveling distance, and/or family obligations. Telecourses are available in CD-Rom sets which may be viewed on personal computers. Course content can be downloaded from a computer to any MP-3 player for portable listening and video pod viewing. Students may register for classes, buy books, and buy CD-Rom sets through the internet. 

In addition, telecourses are broadcast on Springfield’s Mediacom Cable Educational Access Channel 24 and Ozark Public Television (a Public Broadcasting Station). PBS broadcasts to 52 counties in Missouri and to counties in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Interactive CD courses were created as unique hybrid courses containing computer-based instruction together with an opportunity to work directly from the web. Both telecourses and interactive CD courses are ideal for the independent learner who attends only the initial class meeting and exams. Most courses offer alternate Saturday exams during the semester in addition to taking exams at off-site locations in Lebanon, Joplin, Mountain Grove, Nevada, and West Plains. 

For more information, contact the Telecourse Program Coordinator at (417) 836-6714 or (417) 836-4128, or toll free at (888) 767-8444 or visit our web site at http://ce.missouristate.edu/telecourses.

Pre-College Dual Credit Program

Academic Outreach coordinates the off-campus pre-college program for high school students. Through this program qualified high school students are able to receive both high school and college credit in specially approved courses offered at participating high schools. 

Center for Continuing and Professional Education

Acting Director: Susan Cohen
Jim D. Morris Center for Continuing Education
301 S. Jefferson Ave.
Phone: (417) 836-6660; Fax: (417) 836-7674
Email: CCPE@missouristate.edu
Web site: http://ccpe.missouristate.edu/

The CCPE provides numerous professional development programs which are tailored to meet the needs of specific groups, associations, and organizations. Working closely with various University academic departments, professional continuing education and training is provided for business and industry, health care organizations, professionals in social service agencies and mental health services. The Center is one of two University units authorized to award Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for satisfactory completion of non-academic credit offerings and courses. The CEU program is a nationally recognized means of measuring and documenting continuing education experiences designed to improve one’s work and professional skills. An overview of the programs and services offered by the Center is provided below.  

American Sign Language

American Sign Language (ASL) classes are offered to meet the needs and interests of students in four distinct areas: Missouri Licensed Interpreter test preparation, continuing education, community interest, and classes for the Deaf and hard of hearing. 

Certificate Programs

The following professional certificate programs are currently available:

• Missouri Association of Play Therapy
• Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals, MEPAP 2nd Edition
• Victim Advocate Certificate

Continuing Education

Health and human service professionals can take advantage of a variety of test preparation and national certification programs. The Center is an “approved provider” for a number of state and national accrediting bodies and professional organizations, as indicated below.

• American Psychological Association
• Association for Play Therapy, Inc.
• Kansas Dietitian Department of Health and Environment
• Kansas State Board of Nursing
• Missouri Board of Nursing Home Administrators
• Missouri Commission for the Deaf
• Missouri Peace Officer Standards and Training
• National Certification Council for Activity Professional
• National Board of Certified Counselor

Computer Institute 

The Computer Institute provides professional training opportunities for companies and area professionals in software applications and technical training. Training levels for everyone from beginner to the advanced user are offered. The Institute combines outstanding instruction with top-of-the-line computers for a pleasant, results-oriented learning experience. The following advanced technical training tracks are designed for career changers and professionals interested in updating their skills: A+, Network+, Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, Novell, Microsoft Certified Application Developer, and Cisco Certified Network Associate. Qualifying certification exams are available at our Authorized Prometric Testing Center. The Institute offers customized training for area professionals. In partnership with business, the Computer Institute designs training programs, a series of classes or one class, to enhance computer efficiency. Visit http://CI.missouristate.edu to view courses offered in the coming months, get answers to frequently asked questions, find maps for course locations, and register for classes. 

Conferences and Seminars

A wide range of services are available to groups and organizations wanting to hold a conference or seminar. Services include help with program marketing and publicity, budgeting and financial management, computerized registration services, facilities and food service, certificates of completion, etc. The Center is an approved provider of several state and national accrediting bodies and professional organizations which allow conference and seminar participants to earn professional licensure and Continuing Education Units. 

Institute for School Improvement—Continuing Education Partnership

Continuing Education works with the Institute for School Improvement to provide special credit programs to those in professional education to increase their teaching and administrative skills. This partnership’s mission is to promote lifelong learning for PK-12 educators by providing specialized staff development for school districts, as well as providing a series of classes, seminars, and workshops for teacher throughout the service area. 

Missouri Peace Officer Standards and Training Courses

Missouri State University is an Approved Provider of Missouri Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) continuing education. Training sessions in all curriculum areas are available at the Jim D. Morris Center and at sites throughout the University’s service area. 

Summer Youth Program (Camp Bear)

An innovative Summer Youth Program, Camp Bear, is held on the Springfield campus and is sponsored by the Center from June through August. Summer day programs for youth entering K-9 offer a healthy mix of academic enrichment, developmental skills, special interest, recreation and FUN! 

Adult/Commuter Student Services

Director: Susan Cohen, M.A.
Jim D. Morris Center for Continuing Education
301 S. Jefferson Ave.
Phone (417) 836-6929 or toll-free (888) 879-7678, Fax: (417) 836-4929 
http://ce.missouristate.edu/Evening