By Jeff Murphy,
November 30, 2022
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 ŷƵ. 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.