BOLIVAR, Mo. – Ozarks Technical Community College and Southwest Baptist University recently signed an articulation agreement to provide OTC graduates who earn an Associate
of Arts in Teaching degree a smooth transition into SBU’s bachelor of science in elementary education program.
“Even before the pandemic, Missouri was experiencing a significant teacher shortage, and the pandemic has made that problem worse,” said Angie Miller, OTC department chair for teacher education. “This articulation agreement with SBU will help OTC students earn the certification they need to fill many of these openings.”
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) reported a 5.06 percent shortage in full-time equivalent (FTE) instructors for the 2020-2021 academic year. The most-severe shortages include: elementary education, early childhood education, early childhood special education, and general science.
“We are pleased to have signed the articulation agreement with Ozarks Technical Community College and to have created the seamless transition it provides,” said Dr. Dwight Haun, coordinator of teacher education and professor of education at SBU. “This agreement sets OTC graduates on a path toward continued success and allows them to reach their goal of certification while taking full advantage of the coursework they completed at OTC.”
The partnership also allows SBU, consistently one of the top transfer destinations for OTC students, the opportunity to continue to engage students currently enrolled at the Springfield, Mo.-based community college, and who are wanting to pursue a bachelor’s degree at a liberal arts Christian university.
This agreement will impact students pursuing an Associate of Arts in Teaching degree at OTC. The A.A. often is referred to as a “transfer degree” because it is designed for students who plan to continue their education beyond the associate degree level.
For more information on transfer opportunities, visit SBUniv.info/transfer.
*Published: 6-2-2021