Southeast Missouri State University and Three Rivers College (TRC) officials signed articulation agreements Oct. 19 paving the way for a seamless transition for Three Rivers Associate of Applied Science in Nursing graduates into Southeast’s online RN-BSN program and for Three Rivers Associate of Arts in Teaching graduates to transfer into five Southeast Bachelor of Science in Education programs.
Under the nursing articulation agreement, a slate of 15 100- to 200-level courses taken at Three Rivers by Associate of Applied Science in Nursing students, now will fulfill the requirements for the lower level University Studies (general education) requirements at Southeast, easing their transfer to Southeast’s online RN-BSN program. The education articulation agreement signing eases the transfer for students from TRC’s Associate of Arts in Teaching to Southeast’s Bachelor of Science in Education programs in early childhood education with elementary education add-on certification; elementary education with middle school language arts add-on certification; exceptional child education with elementary education add-on certification; elementary education; and middle school education.
“We are so pleased to partner with Three Rivers College on these agreements,” said Dr. Carlos Vargas, president of Southeast Missouri State University. “Southeast’s online RN-BSN program recently was recognized by College Choice among the nation’s best online RN-BSN programs, and just last week, Southeast’s College of Education was named an Apple Distinguished School. Southeast Missouri State University is delighted these collaborations will simplify the path for students to advance their education at Southeast in these outstanding programs as they prepare to launch extraordinary careers in education and the healthcare industry.”
Dr. Wesley Payne, president of Three Rivers College, added, “We’re proud to be able to continue working with Southeast Missouri State University to create better opportunities, and greater availability of education, for the people in our region. This agreement will make it easier for nurses across our region to continue their education and improve their skills, and will support healthcare in southeast Missouri in the process.
“We’re also pleased to sign an agreement which will make the transfer of students from our Associate of Arts in Teaching programs to Southeast’s Bachelor of Science in Education programs even easier,” Payne added. “Education is the lifeblood of the region, and we’re committed to helping provide excellent teachers to southeast Missouri.”
“Two areas of study in higher education that continue to be in demand in this region are health care and education,” said Dr. Justin Hoggard, Dean of Instruction at Three Rivers College. “The articulation agreements signed Thursday in nursing, as well as the AAT in Education, underscore the commitment of both institutions to continue to provide quality educational opportunities for students close to home,” he said. “This means more professionals in high-demand career fields will be available for employment in southeast Missouri.”
Dr. Diana Rogers-Adkinson, dean of Southeast’s College of Education said the education articulation agreement allows students to complete Southeast education degrees on the Three Rivers campus, giving students the opportunity to save money by studying locally while still attending an award-winning program.
Similarly, Dr. Gloria Green, chair of Southeast’s Department of Nursing, said the nursing agreement allows students to complete a bachelor’s degree with a minimum amount of additional coursework and in a program recognized for excellence.
“They have the flexibility of an online program, and the assurance of an RN-BSN program of superior quality, fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE),” she said. Dr. Staci Foster, Chair of Nursing and Allied Health at Three Rivers College, said, the nursing articulation agreement signed Thursday “will be a benefit to students in all of Three Rivers’ nursing programs because it provides a clear, convenient pathway to a BSN degree without ever having to leave the region. You can now get your start in healthcare through our affordable, high-quality RN programs in Poplar Bluff or our LPN-RN Bridge programs in Poplar Bluff and Sikeston, then make the jump to a four-year degree without leaving your hometown.
“In addition to providing career opportunities for area residents, this is also a great boost to healthcare providers across the region,” she said. “They now have access to an even better pool of highly skilled nurses, trained right in their backyard, because of this partnership. We’re pleased to work with Southeast Missouri State University to provide this support to our students, local healthcare providers, and the patients they serve.”
Southeast’s nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Students can finish their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at Southeast online in as little as one year if all their general education is completed at Three Rivers College. Southeast courses are taught by qualified nursing professionals, and field experiences are tailored to students’ specific interests.
To be admitted to Southeast’s RN-BSN program, Three Rivers students must have a current RN licensure, a minimum cumulative 2.8 grade point average and completion of Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, English Composition II and all required documentation through CastleBranch as outlined in the RN-BSN Handbook at semo.edu/pdf/Nursing-RN-BSN-Handbook.pdf. A minimum of 30 credit hours must be taken in residence at Southeast. Thirty-nine upper-division credit hours at or above the 300 level are required for graduation, Southeast officials said.
Southeast educator preparation programs are accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)
For more information or to inquire about conditional admission into Southeast’s online RN-BSN program, contact Southeast Online at (573) 651-2766 or southeastonline@semo.edu. For information on Southeast College of Education degree programs, call (573) 651-2123 or coe@semo.edu.
For information on the nursing and education programs at Three Rivers, as well as information on enrolling and other programs, call 877-TRY-TRCC (877-879-8722) or visit trcc.edu/admissions.
