By MATT PIKE
Two new bachelor degree programs will help provide a quicker pathway to a degree for students in criminal justice and child development at Missouri Western State University.
Starting in 2027, 90-credit-hour bachelor degree programs in criminal justice and child development will be offered at MoWest. With the new programs, MoWest will be the first university in the state to offer more than one bachelor’s degree designed to be completed in three years or even less with transfer credits. Both programs will be offered online, and classes will be offered in seven-week sessions, so that students will have six potential start dates each year. Courses will be offered at the standard tuition rate of $328 per credit hour.
“These Bachelor of Applied Science degree programs represent the kind of innovation that is vital for MoWest to succeed in today’s higher education environment,” MoWest president Lenny Klaver says in a news release. “By providing alternatives to the traditional 120-credit-hour undergraduate degree, we are saving our graduates time and money while more quickly preparing them to meet the workforce needs of our region.”
“Our new 90-credit hour bachelor's degrees meet the needs of students and employers in the region and beyond,” Provost and vice president of academic affairs Jay Johnson adds. “This development continues to demonstrate that our faculty are innovative leaders in their fields focusing on student success and high academic standards.”
The Bachelor of Applied Science in Criminal Justice will be offered beginning in January 2027. It offers three newly approved vocationally based minors: Law Enforcement, Forensic Science and Community and Institution Supervision.
“We’re excited to offer students this accelerated means to enter the workforce,” Chair of the Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies David Marble. “Our rigorous coursework and opportunities for hands-on learning will have our graduates ready for careers in law enforcement, corrections, courts, investigations, community supervision and related public safety fields or for continued graduate study.”
The Bachelor of Applied Science in Child Development will begin in August 2027. It will prepare students for careers working with infants, toddlers and preschoolers in a variety of settings without having to acquire a teaching certificate.
“In addition to the online coursework, we partner with a variety of schools and teaching centers to provide our graduates with career-focused applied learning experiences,” said Dr. Elizabeth Thorne Wallington, associate professor of education. “By more quickly preparing our students for their careers, we can make a real difference in the lives of our youngest residents while meeting a critical workforce need.”
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