UCM and AU-ABC Expand Partnership with Two New B.S. Degree Pathways

 

The Military and Veterans Success Center is a popular gathering spot for active duty military personnel, veterans and their dependents, and is part of campus-wide efforts to meet the education needs of those who dedicate their lives to serving their country.

WARRENSBURG, MO – United States Air Force members who want to advance their higher education have convenient new opportunities thanks to recently approved bachelor’s degree pathways made possible by the Air University – Associate to Baccalaureate Cooperative (AU-ABC) with the University of Central Missouri. These opportunities not only provide a seamless transfer from a two-year to four-year degree program, but make it possible for military members to earn their degree at a reduced cost while taking advantage of other benefits available to service members who choose UCM.

The university in November received notification that its application has been approved to include the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Educational Studies and Training in its partnership with the AU-ABC. This follows the recent addition of the B.S. in Crisis and Disaster Management (CDM, which brings the total number of UCM/AU-ABC offerings to six since UCM joined the partnership nearly two years ago.

“It is important for us to recognize the training our service members and veterans have gone through and we are doing that by providing these pathways and advocating for these individuals,” said Courtney Swoboda, an Air Force veteran who serves as UCM’s director of Military and Veterans Services.

She noted that after Air Force personnel have completed their Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree from the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF), AU-ABC provides an opportunity for them to transfer those credits to a number of partner institutions nationwide that will enable them to obtain a bachelor’s degree.

“The CDM and Educational Studies and Training are CAT I programs which means members can complete their degree in 60 credit hours or less, but with the Educational Studies and Training pathway, members only need to take 55 hours,” Swoboda said. “We also wanted to make sure these pathways were 
available to more members by making them to where all career fields in the Air Force can pursue them and it is not limited to specific ones.”

Safety Management (CAT I and CAT III).  Students who enroll can complete their degrees fully online or in person taking courses that are available at times that are suited to their busy schedules, even during deployment. This includes offering in the fall and spring semesters eight-week and 16-week courses, and in the summer six-week, eight-week, and 10-week courses.

UCM is a Military Friendly® institution that is dedicated to helping active duty military members and veterans to progress in their higher education. The university offers undergraduate courses at the reduced cost of $250 per credit hour as the Active Military Tuition Rate for actively serving military members. If they use tuition assistance or Veterans Administration benefits these students will receive the Military Tuition Package which will waive the mandatory general student fees and new student fee, and they will also receive a free parking pass. UCM keeps military families in mind, including recent action by the institution’s governing board that makes it possible for military dependents to pay in-state tuition regardless of where they reside.

UCM’s commitment to those who serve their country also includes facilities such as the Military and Veterans Success Center, which provides computer stations, meeting space and personnel ready to service active duty military, veterans, and dependents.  Additionally, the university offers a Command Pass providing free entry to athletic events.

Individuals who want to learn more about program offerings in partnership with AU-ABC, or other details related to the university’s efforts to serve active duty military personnel, their families and veterans, can check out UCM’s Military and Veterans Services website. They can also call 660-543-8776 or email vets@ucmo.edu.