Missouri State University, BS, Child and Family Development (Off-site)

Form OS

OFF-SITE DELIVERY OF AN EXISTING PROGRAM FORM
Sponsoring Institution (s): Missouri State University
Name of Institution (Campus or off-campus residential center in the case of multi-campus institutions).
Program Title: Child and Family Development_(BS)
Degree/Certificate: Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Development
Institution Granting Degree: Missouri State University
Delivery Site(s): West Plains and Mountain Grove (Missouri State University Campuses
Mode of Program Delivery: On-site at West Plains and Mountain Grove, Interactive TV and online classes_
Geographic Location of Student Access: West Plains, Missouri
CIP Classification: 19.0701 (Please provide CIP code)
Implementation Date: Fall, 2008
Semester and Year
Cooperative Partners: Missouri State University-West Plains
AUTHORIZATION
Dr. Belinda McCarthy/Provost
Dr. Sue George (417) 836-5984

Missouri State University
Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Development
Completion Program-West Plains Campus

Missouri State University is proposing to deliver to the West Plains campus a completion program leading to a Bachelor of Science Degree in Child and Family Development.  This program will provide an opportunity for students to obtain a four-year degree in Child and Family Development.  Currently on the West Plains campus they are only able to attain an Associates of Arts degree (AA).  If approved, the proposed program will allow students living in the West Plains area to pursue a marketable four-year degree without having to relocate or commute a great distance.  Although Missouri State University already offers the BS in Child and Family Development at the main campus in Springfield, it was determined that CBHE approval should be sought for the proposed completion program.

2.  Need:

1. Student Demand

The current primary faculty member in Child and Family Development on the West Plains campus is very familiar with, advises, and talks regularly to students in the AA programs on that campus.  She is also the primary instructor for the AA in Child and Family Development program.  She has identified between 15-20 students who will be ready to begin studies for a Bachelors degree in Child and Family Development.  Due to family and work responsibilities these students are unable to relocate to Springfield to complete their studies.  Students completing the BS in Child and Family Development in West Plains will rarely relocate out of south central Missouri due to family constraints.  It is anticipated that approximately 15 students will enter the degree program each year.

Form SE

STUDENT ENROLLMENT PROJECTIONS

Year	1	2	3	4	5
Full Time	12	24	36	48	60
Part Time	3	6	9	12	15
Total	15	30	45	60	75

Enrollment caps are not anticipated.  The only reason for this consideration in the future will be if the interest in the program far exceeds what will be able to be accommodated by faculty teaching loads.

B.  Market Demand

National, State, Local/Regional Demand

Although a formal written needs assessment was not completed, it is known through conversations with and visits to area facilities in the West Plains area that there is a need for persons with a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood programs and agencies. Calls were made to local agencies to determine possible employment opportunities for graduates.  These included:  Parents as Teachers, Juvenile Office, local child care programs, behavioral agencies, Family Services, University Extension, etc. Additionally, there are Head Start programs, private child care facilities and other social service agency needs in the area.  The results of the telephone interviews indicated that almost all called agencies stated they would have positions for Bachelors degree students in Child and Family Development (CFD).  Many agency directors stated there was a high interest in having this type of program in the area and it would benefit the community. Several stated they had unfilled positions at the current time and they would be interested in these graduates. The population is growing in the West Plains area and there are not enough Head Start Programs and child care placements for the growing need.  Particularly there have not been enough professionals trained to take over leadership positions in child care and agencies. 

C.  Societal Need

Located 20 miles north of the Missouri-Arkansas border, West Plains is the largest town in its seven-county service area (Howell, Oregon, Texas, Shannon, Ozark, Douglass, and Wright counties).  Once economically dependent on agriculture, the community has sought and is seeking more light industry, service-related businesses/organizations and retail entities.  The changing job market has given impetus to a number of individuals to seek higher education degrees while maintaining local residence.  Additionally, with the increase in employment and movement into the area, there is an increased need for child care and social service agency employment.

Some of the students at Missouri State University—West Plains are non-traditional and have families and often part-time employment; consequently moving to a city that has  a four- year institution of higher education is either quite difficult or impossible.  In addition, many find it impractical to undertake the four-hour round trip drive required to commute to classes in Springfield.  Such realities limit educational opportunities and, thus, job opportunities for many individuals in the region.

The proposed program also addresses the public affairs mission of the university.  This program will encourage good citizenship through membership in multiple communities—University, neighborhood and region.  Students will be encouraged to work for the common good and become responsible leaders in their field.  They will understand, through the work in the community the importance of developing educated persons.

D.   Methodology used to determine B and C above.

The information presented in sections B and C were gathered by intensive conversations and data collected by faculty in CFD on the West Plains campus and phone interviews with area agencies. This data showed a student need and community need.  A review of the Public Affairs document also provided a rationale for the implementation of this program.

3.Duplication and Collaboration

There are no other four-year institutions in close physical proximity to the West Plains campus offering Child and Family development degrees.  The closest program is the Missouri State Springfield campus or the University of Missouri-Columbia, neither of which is close.  There are no external organizations involved.

4.  Financial Projections (deleted)

5.  Program Characteristics and Performance Goals

See Form PG for information.

6.  Quality Assurance for Off-Site Programs

General Oversight

Since the proposed program involves an existing Missouri State degree, oversight will be the responsibility of the Childhood and Family Studies Department (CEFS).  There is a full-time faculty member in West Plains who will handle tasks related to logistics, advisement and course scheduling.  The CEFS department head and Child and Family Development (CFD) faculty will assist with scheduling.

The CFD faculty in Springfield meet regularly and have a program coordinator.  The faculty and coordinator will be in regular contact with the West Plains faculty member.  There will be ongoing conversation between faculty at both sites.

Faculty Qualifications

See “Faculty Characteristics” in Section 5 above.

Support Services

Administrative support for this program will be provided by the CEFS department.  The department head will oversee all aspects with the input of the CFD faculty on the Springfield campus.

Students will continue to receive advisement services from the West Plains faculty.  This faculty member will receive input from Springfield faculty on content and updates with upper division courses.

The West Plains campus has excellent technical facilities.  Students will be able to obtain ITV courses and online courses without any difficulties.

The libraries on both campuses will provide needed services.  This will include in  addition to journals and books, availability of electronic services and interlibrary loan.

 

Form PG

PROGRAM CHARACTERISTICS AND PERFORMANCE GOALS

Institution Name: Missouri State University
Program Name: Child and Family Development--Completion Program
Date: December, 2007

(Although all of the following guidelines may not be applicable to the proposed program, please carefully consider the elements in each area and respond as completely as possible in the format below. Quantification of performance goals should be included wherever possible.)

Student Preparation

Academic Outreach Completion Program for the West Plains Campus

Through the Childhood Education and Family Studies Department, Missouri State University (West Plains) students now have access to upper division child and family development courses needed to complete a Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Development.  Students should complete the Associates of Arts Degree with prescribed Child and Family Development courses or the Associates of Applied Science Degree with the prescribed general education courses, then stay on the West Plains campus as a Springfield student and complete the upper division courses on-site, on-line, in Mountain Grove or through Interactive Television.

Requirements of the Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Development

1. Students should complete the Associates of Arts Degree with prescribed Child and Family Development courses or the Associates of Applied Science Degree with the prescribed general education courses.

2. Students must choose CFD courses as delineated by the West Plains advisor.

3. Students must apply for admission to the Springfield campus.

4. Students must complete 40 hours of upper division courses.

5. Students must meet a residency requirement:  complete a minimum of 30 hours of courses administered by the Springfield campus.

6. Students must complete at least 20 out of the last 30 hours administered by the Springfield campus.

7. Students must complete a minimum of 125 semester hours of credit with at least a 2.0 GPA.

8. Students should also meet the General Baccalaureate Degree Program Requirements (see “Academic Program and Requirements” section of the Springfield catalog.

Faculty Characteristics

Most courses will be taught by full-time faculty either on the West Plains or Springfield campus.  On occasion an adjunct faculty member may be hired.  They will be hired using the criteria used currently by the Springfield campus.
Of the courses in the major the estimated percentage of credit hours taught by full time faculty would be more than 90%.
Most student advisement will be conducted by faculty on the West Plains campus.  This faculty member knows the students and has all student records available.  Teaching by Springfield faculty will be considered as part of their teaching load when they are teaching courses for West Plains students.  Faculty on both campuses will be responsible for reappointment, promotion and tenure requirements.

Enrollment Projections

It is anticipated that 15-20 students will enter the bachelor’s degree each year and it will take approximately two years to complete the requirements for the bachelor’s degree after they have completed the AA degree.
Approximately 75% of the students are full time and 25% are part time.  This trend is expected to continue.

Student and Program Outcomes

*At the end of three years it is expected that approximately 20-25 students would graduate and after five years there would be 40-45 graduates.

*There are no specific prerequisite skills needed for this program.

*There is no specific licensing or certification with this degree.

*Once students are admitted to the program there are no other required tests.  As these students are not getting teacher certification they will not need to take the PRAXIS or CBASE exams.

Because there is limited availability of institutions who offer four year degrees, it is anticipated that students will find employment with relative ease.  There is a need for students prepared in Child and Family Development.

Program Accreditation

There are no available state or national accreditation for Child and Family Development Programs.  However, all programs will be going through a program review at the university level.  A self-study and outside consultants will be used in this review.  A specific date has not been set for this review.

Alumni and Employer Survey

The College of Education surveys its graduates every other year.  As part of the College of Education, the Child and Family Development program can be surveyed.  The survey will be conducted electronically to both alumni and employers.  Employer information will be obtained from graduates so that employers can be determined.

It is expected that satisfaction rates from both alumni and employers will be positive.  Informal dialogue with graduates of the Springfield program are positive and since it is the same program, it is anticipated that alumni and employers will be satisfied with the program and their preparation.