The SBU Academy is a transitional collegiate experience for academically talented
high school juniors and seniors. The Academy offers an in-person, on-campus dual credit
classroom experience on Mondays and online support for the course the rest of the
week. All schools are welcome to participate; however, the format is especially useful
to districts operating on a four-day school week.
Academy students learn from experienced doctoral-qualified professionals with outstanding expertise and have the opportunity to interact with current SBU college students.
The SBU Academy has a professional focus, offers a collegiate experiences, and prepares select high school students for lives of service and leadership. The Academy's purpose is to offer an early introduction to high-demand professional careers and disciplines.
Program details
General Enrollment Guidelines
-
Students in the 11th and 12th grades with an overall minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) are automatically eligible for dual credit courses.
-
Students in the 11th and 12th grades with an overall grade point average between 2.5-2.99 (on a 4.0 scale) must provide a signed later of recommendation from their principal or guidance counselor and provide written permission from a parent or legal guardian (CBHE 6.3) to Dr. Tim DeClue, SBU Academy Director.
Courses for Fall 2023 semester
- AGR 1114 Introduction to Soil Science
- The study of soil nature and properties, the identification of soils, the study of soil formation and conservation, and the role of soils in the environment
- Meets in-person Mondays from 11-11:50 a.m. for lecture in Wheeler Science Center room 125 and 1-2:40 p.m. for lab in Wheeler Science Center room 125.
- Online Tuesday-Friday
- Taught by Dr. John Murphy
- CIS 1033 Foundations of Computer Science
- An introduction to key concepts in computer and how computation is related to all scientific fields. Topics include, but are not limited to, robotics, web design, software engineering, artificial intelligence, computer architecture, digital media storage, algorithm design and computability. Required for computer science majors. Lab fee $12. Pre/corequisite: Algebra II. NOTE: This course is the equivalent of AP-Computer Science Principles
- Meets in-person Mondays from 11-11:50 a.m. for lecture in Taylor Center room 252 and 1-2:40 p.m. for lab in Taylor Center room 202
- Online Tuesday-Friday
- Taught by Dr. Tim DeClue
- EDU 2113 Educational Psychology
- Study of social and behavioral theory, including the nature of educational psychology, measurement, personality, the classroom as a social system, learning and instruction
- Meets in-person Mondays from 11-11:50 a.m. for lecture in Gott Education Center room 240
- Online Tuesday-Friday
- Taught by Dr. Scott Morrision
- POL 1113 American Government and Politics
- Origin, organization and policy of United States government at the national, state and local levels. Encourages citizen participation and leadership in democratic processes beginning at the community level. Fulfills the Missouri statutory requirement
- Meets in-person Mondays from 9-9:50 a.m. for lecture in Taylor Center room 205
- Online Tuesday-Friday
- Taught by Dr. Kwasi Ofori-Yeboah
- ENG 1113 English Composition I
- Expository writing based on a study of essays. In addition to the writing of essays, a student will write a research paper. Prerequisite: The student must have either an 18 or above on the English portion of the ACT test or the grade of a B in a previous high school English course to enroll in dual credit English courses
- Meets in-person Mondays from 9-9:50 a.m. for lecture in Jester Center 244
- Online Tuesday-Friday
- Taught by Dr. Carla Kirchner
Schedule
Classes will meet every Monday of the fall semester unless designated as an official holiday by the University
Sample Monday on-campus schedule:
- 8-9 a.m. — Travel to SBU campus in Bolivar
- 9-9:50 a.m.. — Attend first class session
- 10-10:50 a.m. — Attend Chapel with SBU community
- 11-11:50 a.m. — Attend second class session
- 12-12:50 p.m. — Lunch
- 1-3 p.m. — If enrolled in a course with a scheduled afternoon lab, attend the lab. If not, work on homework, meet with professors, or attend Academy events and field trips.
Program fees
Participation in SBU Academy costs $120 per credit hour. This includes all course fees and covers the cost of lunch during the Monday in-person sessions. Students also receive access to University events (concerts, performances, etc.) and NCAA Division II athletic events.
Additional information
In addition to the courses offered, additional planned activities hosted on-campus in the afternoons will help expose SBU Academy students to other high-demand/high-urgency areas such as healthcare, nursing, and agriculture, for example.
Submit an online application now
Meet the Faculty
Dr. John Murphy
Dr. John Murphy has a Ph.D. in Agronomy with multiple publications in the Academic
Research Journal of Agricultural Science and Research and Rangeland Ecology and Management.
He is a certified technician in both bovine reproductive ultrasound and in bovine
artificial insemination.
Dr. Tim DeClue
Dr. Tim DeClue has served as the SBU Computer and Information Sciences Department
Chair, Faculty Senate President, ABET (Accrediting Board for Engineering & Technology)
Commissioner, Advanced Placement Computer Science team leader, Code.org facilitator,
and authored over 20 published peer-reviewed research or experience papers.
Dr. Scott Morrison
Dr. Scott Morrison has his doctoral degree from Saint Louis University and is a highly
respected educator and presenter for many school districts, including Springfield
Public Schools.
Dr. Kwasi Ofori-Yeboah
Dr. Kwasi Ofori-Yeboah is a published author with his doctoral degree from Queen’s
University in Ontario, Canada. Dr. Yeboah has over 30 years teaching experience at
SBU and expertise in the post-cold war Africa.
Dr. Carla Kirchner
Dr. Carla Kirchner has a Ph.D. in Creative Writing from Bath Spa University in the
United Kingdom. and is an award-winning author of over eight published works of poetry.
She is a four-time judge for the Missouri State Poetry Society and also serves as
the Staff Sergeant for the 135th Army Band in the Missouri National Guard.