(Joplin, MO) – A new partnership between NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC), based in Bentonville, Arkansas, and Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) will allow students to more easily transfer credits from NWACC to MSSU in the future.
A signing was held at NWACC’s Memorandum of Understanding to formalize the arrangement on March 10, 2025.
“These efforts build upon the NorthWest Arkansas Community College and Missouri Southern State University relationship that has been in place for years,” said Dr. Dennis C. Rittle, President of NWACC. “Connecting with highly respected four-year institutions such as MSSU makes taking the next step in quality education straightforward and sets students up for success. We are grateful to MSSU for partnering with us.”
“This agreement will provide NWACC students with a clear and affordable pathway to achieve a bachelor’s degree from Missouri Southern after completing an associate degree at NWACC,” said Dr. Dean Van Galen, MSSU President. “Missouri Southern looks forward to welcoming more NWACC graduates to our university where they will continue to enjoy an outstanding academic environment, small class sizes, and the personal attention that will enable them to succeed.”
MSSU has developed eight 2+2 transfer pathways (two years academic credit to complete an associate’s degree, plus another two years to complete a bachelor’s) to collaborate with NWACC in a variety of disciplines. Those pathways include study areas of biology or biomedical sciences, business, communication, elementary and early childhood education, healthcare administration, international political affairs, public relations or mass communications and social work. More 2+2 agreements may be added in the future.
“The agreement between MSSU and NWACC provides scholarship opportunities and allows NWACC students to seamlessly transfer from one institution to another to complete a four-year degree,” said Dr. Diana Johnson, Senior Vice President for Learning at NWACC.
Scholarship opportunities provided for U.S. citizens and permanent residents enrolled full-time at MSSU range from $1,000 to $6,000 and those for non-U.S. citizens enrolled full time at MSSU include a $5,500 merit-based MOSO International Achievement Scholarship.
About Missouri Southern State University:
Founded in 1937, Missouri Southern State University has provided educational opportunities for Southwest Missouri and beyond. The university serves nearly 4,300 students in more than 140 academic programs and boasts outstanding NCAA Division II athletics programs. The university’s mission is to educate and graduate knowledgeable, responsible, successful global citizens. For more than 75 years, Missouri Southern has developed exceptional, state and nationally accredited programs that prepare their students for the competitive and changing 21st century society.
About NorthWest Arkansas Community College:
NWACC is an accredited, public two-year institution that serves and strengthens its surrounding communities by helping students maximize their potential and exceed expectations. With state-of-the-art facilities, NWACC provides excellent academic instruction, workforce training and personalized attention from highly respected faculty, staff and administrators. For more information about NWACC, visit www.nwacc.edu.
Reference:
University Relations and Marketing
Missouri Southern State University
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