MBA graduate Ben Moran receives his hood, December 2025. Changes to the 含羞草社区 graduate program will make it easier for students to earn their master’s degrees.
March 2, 2026–含羞草社区 is making it easier for working professionals to earn a master鈥檚 degree. Several graduate programs will be structured in seven-week courses with up to six start dates per year, beginning as early as March 9, 2026.
鈥淎n aspirational goal in our new strategic plan is to improve the quality of life in our region through educational attainment,鈥� said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, 含羞草社区 president. 鈥淭hese changes will allow recent college graduates and current working professionals to complete a master鈥檚 degree program in 12 to 18 months, learning skills that enhance their earning power and benefit their employers.鈥�
鈥淭hank you to the faculty and staff in these programs who have worked hard to make this change happen,鈥� said Dr. Jay Johnson, provost and vice president for academic affairs. 鈥淥ur goal throughout this process was three-fold: provide greater access to our graduate programs, maintain our academic excellence and remain competitive in today鈥檚 marketplace.鈥澛�
Five programs will be offered with the new seven-week calendar beginning March 9:聽
- Master of Education聽
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Science in Nursing
- Master of Arts in Teaching
- Master of Applied Science in Sport and Fitness Management
All five will be offered completely online, with in-person field experiences or internships required for the M.Ed., MAT and MAS Sport and Fitness Management. Start dates for the rest of 2026 are:
- March 9
- May 11
- June 29
- Aug. 31
- Oct. 19
Applications for each term will close one week after the first day of classes.听
A sixth master鈥檚 program, the Master of Applied Science in Forensic Investigation, will adopt the 7-week calendar this fall, with two start dates at the beginning of the fall and spring semester.听
鈥淭he seven-week courses and six start dates per year mean that graduate students can start when the time is right,鈥� said Dr. Andy Otto, vice president for enrollment management and marketing. 鈥淭he best time to earn a degree to advance your career is now, but the next best time may be seven weeks from now.鈥�
The Master of Social Work program will remain on a traditional semester schedule, with applications open through March 31 for a start in the fall.
Learn more and apply at missouriwestern.edu/graduate/.听
含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. 含羞草社区 is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .