CENTRAL MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY

Office of Extended Campus–Distance Learning
Master of Science in Industrial Management
Warrensburg, Missouri

Founded in 1871, Central Missouri State University is a state university offering approximately 150 areas of study to 11,100 undergraduate and graduate students. In 1996, Central Missouri State University was designated Missouri's lead institution for professional applied science and technology programs, an area long recognized as one of the University's greatest strengths. The new mission has expanded this commitment and means that Central will continue to integrate the latest technologies into every level of its comprehensive liberal arts curriculum. Central is committed to acquiring, disseminating, and utilizing technology to enhance the University's comprehensive educational mission. Central is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Distance Learning Program

Central's main Distance Learning Program provides undergraduate- and graduate-level courses through two-way interactive television and Web-based courses. The online program currently includes one doctoral degree, three master's degrees, and numerous graduate and undergraduate courses. From fall 1994 through spring 2004, Central provided instruction to more than 13,000 graduate, undergraduate, and high school students in a distance learning environment.

Institutional and financial information about Central Missouri State University may be accessed via the Web at http://www.cmsu.edu/rsearch/ir/toc.htm.

Delivery Media

Central uses a variety of technologies to deliver its distance learning courses. These include two-way, interactive television; broadcast television; and Internet technologies, including video and audio streaming. Central links to the Missouri Research and Educational Network (MOREnet) statewide backbone, which connects all of Missouri's public higher education institutions and several K–12 schools, to provide Internet-based and interactive television programming. Finally, Central's complement of six 2-way videoconferencing facilities, which are capable of ISDN, H.323, T.120, and audioconferencing, allow Central to provide distance learning content to anywhere in the world.

Programs of Study

The Master of Science in Industrial Management is designed for students who are preparing for upward mobility in supervisory or management positions in business and industry, manufacturing, quality control or quality systems management, or related positions.

In a recent survey of graduates from this degree, the average response age was 40 years old, with a mean salary of $65,000 per year. Some occupational titles include vice president of operations, production manager, shift supervisor, quality systems manager, and plant manager.

Participants in the Master of Science in Industrial Management degree develop skills useful to business and industry. The program provides a balanced curriculum focusing on the human element of the workplace as well as a variety of industrial systems. Specific skills are developed in the fields of leadership, problem solving, and decision making.

The graduate with a Master of Science in Industrial Management degree can use the knowledge and skills obtained in the program to apply management skills and concepts to specific situations, plan and implement a project, analyze and develop a human relations strategy, demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively, explain and apply the basic concepts of an industrial economy, introduce and adapt technical expertise to a given process or product, and perform, interpret, and explain research.

The Master of Science in Industrial Management is a 33-credit-hour degree program. Complete online delivery of the program began in fall 2002. Students may enter the course cycle at the beginning of any semester. Courses are scheduled with the capability of completing the degree program in two calendar years, including one summer session. Degree information is available on the Web at http://www.cmsu/edu/mfgcont/indmnew.htm.

A strength of this program is the flexibility built into the cognate course work and culminating experience. The program allows several curricular paths leading to graduation and facilitates articulation to a cooperative doctoral program in technology management.

To be accepted into this program, a student shall have a minimum GPA of 2.6 in the undergraduate major. A student not meeting this requirement may petition the department for admittance on a conditional basis. GRE or GMAT scores are not required.

Special Programs

Central's Distance Learning Program builds upon the existing curriculum offerings at Central as well as offerings that address special distance learning needs.

Central's distance learning students are eligible to participate in the same opportunities as on-campus students. These include study tours and internships in many disciplines.

The Office of Career Services reports a 93 percent placement rate for Central graduates within six months of graduation.

Student Services

A toll-free University number, 800-SAY-CMSU, allows access to offices involved with student services: extended campus–distance learning, admissions, academic advising, registrar, financial aid, revenue, accounts receivable, University housing, and the Graduate School. All students enrolled at Central are issued a mainframe Internet account. The HELP Desk is available to Central students needing technical computer assistance. Distance learning students receive individualized course information prior to the start of each semester as well as information regarding University resources available to them. Online library resources are available for distance learning and off-campus students. An online writing lab (OWL) provides writing assistance to distance learning students. A toll-free number provides ordering and delivery service for textbooks from the University Bookstore.

Credit Options

For entering graduate students, Central will accept up to 9 hours of transfer credits in graduate work.

Faculty

Faculty members at Central exemplify the goals of the institution as they balance personal attention with expertise in their respective fields. Approximately 74 percent of the 439 full-time faculty members hold doctoral degrees. The student-faculty ratio is 18:1.

Admission

Individuals interested in pursuing a graduate degree at Central Missouri State University should contact the Graduate School for application information at 800-SAY-CMSU (toll-free) or visit the Web site at http://www.cmsu.edu/graduate. The Graduate School should receive all application materials at least three weeks prior to the beginning of the semester in which the student wishes to register.

All degree-seeking student applicants must submit a formal application for admission to the Graduate School and official transcripts of all undergraduate/graduate course work. If this is a student's first enrollment at Central, a $30 nonrefundable application fee is required (international students must remit $50). Admission to the Graduate School, which permits enrollment in classes, is not equivalent to admission for a particular program or degree.

Tuition and Fees

For 2005–06, graduate tuition was $242 per credit hour for Internet-based courses. Prospective students should note that tuition rates may be changed at any time by action of the Board of Governors.

Financial Aid

Central recognizes a student's continuing need for financial assistance. Federal grant and loan funds are available for eligible students who have been accepted for regular degree programs at Central. Application eligibility information may be obtained by contacting the Office of Financial Aid at 660-543-4040 or 800-SAY-CMSU (toll-free). Students who are veterans may also be considered for VA educational benefits to help with tuition costs.

The University participates in all federal student financial aid grant, loan, and employment programs. Visiting and non-degree-seeking students are not eligible to receive federal financial aid.

Applying

Graduate students should contact the Graduate School at 660-543-4621 or toll-free at 800-SAY-CMSU.

CONTACT

Dr. Ronald Woolsey
Faculty Coordinator
Central Missouri State University
Warrensburg, Missouri 64093
Phone: 660-543-4439
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.cmsu.edu/mfgcont

Barbara Carder
Assistant Director for Distance Learning
Humphreys 410
Central Missouri State University
Warrensburg, Missouri 64093
Phone: 660-543-8480 800-SAY-CMSU Ext. 21 (toll-free)
Fax: 660-540-8333
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.cmsu.edu/cmsuonline