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PAPER BRIEF

Joint Forces Staff College/Webster University

Cooperative Masters Degree Program

On November 20, 2002, the Joint Forces Staff College (JFSC) and Webster University signed a Memorandum of Understanding that allows graduates of the Joint and Combined Staff Officer School (JCSOS) and the Joint and Combined Warfighting School (JCWS) to pursue a masters degree with Webster University through shared academic credit.

The purpose of this paper brief is to explain the cooperative degree program in terms of its development, student eligibility, participation, format, credits awarded for successful completion of JCSOS and JCWS, Webster University coursework required, and tuition rates.

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

The JFSC/Webster University cooperative degree program was developed in accordance with the American Council on Education’s Joint Statement on the Transfer and Award of Credit, which contains guidelines approved by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO). Both the JCSOS/JCWS and Webster University curriculums were evaluated to insure there was educational quality; comparability of the nature, content, and level of the learning experiences; and experiences appropriate and applicable to the students’ educational goals. Information from program catalogs and discussions between knowledgeable and experienced faculty and academic administrators at both academic institutions were used in developing the arrangement.

SEQUENTIAL DEGREES

A large percentage of JCSOS and JCWS graduates have already completed a master’s degree from another regionally accredited college or university. In accordance with Webster University policy, a student who has earned a master’s degree from another regionally accredited college or university is eligible to complete a sequential degree with Webster University, and only the completion of core courses in the declared area are required. In many cases, students can reduce the number of hours to 24 credits when comparable coursework has been satisfactorily completed elsewhere.

For participants with a prior masters degree, the following will apply for graduates of JCSOS or JCWS who are pursuing the MBA:

Individuals with the appropriate coursework in business, accounting, and economics will apply for a sequential MBA degree. In order to determine the appropriateness of the business coursework, academic transcripts will be reviewed by an academic advisor to determine eligibility for waiver of MBA prerequisite courses.

Individuals without appropriate business coursework will be required to complete nine hours of prerequisite coursework that will include BUSN 5000, BUSN 5600, and BUSN 5620.

The remaining core courses will be handled as follows:

a. The Operations Analysis and Management course will replace the requirement to take BUSN 6110.

b. The Organizational Planning course will replace the requirement for MNGT 5590.

c. Participants will be required to take the following courses for a sequential MBA:

    MRKT 5000    Marketing
    FINC   5000    Finance
    FINC 5880    Advanced Corporate Finance
    BUSN 5760    Applied Business Statistics
    BUSN 6070    Management Accounting
    BUSN 6120    Managerial Economics
    BUSN 6200    Business Policies and Strategies
    (Total: 21 credit hours)

JCSOS and JCWS graduates without a conferred master’s degree will be required to enroll in the 36-semester hour MBA program.

Individuals without appropriate business coursework will be required to complete nine hours of prerequisite coursework that will include BUSN 5000, BUSN 5600, and BUSN 5620.

The remaining core courses will be handled as follows:

a. The Operations Analysis and Management course will replace the requirement to take BUSN 6110

b. The Organizational Planning course will replace the requirement for MNGT 5590

c. The Computer Assisted Logistics Planning Management course will be an elective substitute for BUSN 6080

d. Participants will be required to take the following courses for the 36-SH MBA format:

    MRKT 5000    Marketing
    FINC   5000    Finance
    FINC 5880    Advanced Corporate Finance
    BUSN 5760    Applied Business Statistics
    BUSN 6070    Management Accounting
    BUSN 6120    Managerial Economics
    BUSN 6200    Business Policies and Strategies
    Two 3-SH Elective Courses
    (Total: 27 credit hours)

Graduates of the JCSOS and JCWS may enroll in other Webster University Master of Arts degree programs and will receive credit for their JCSOS and JCWS coursework. The credits which are awarded will vary based on the degree program selected and will be identified and approved by an academic advisor.

The most current Webster University Graduate Studies Catalog should be used as a reference to determine available MA programs and locations where the programs are offered.

Graduates of the JCSOS and JCWS may enroll in Webster University MS degree programs. However, due to the nature of science degrees, transfer credits and elective courses are limited. The four MS degrees offered in Webster’s School of Business and Technology, and College of Arts and Sciences include Computer Science/Distributed Systems, Environmental Management, Finance and Space Systems Operations Management.

The most current Webster University Graduate Studies Catalog should be used as a reference to determine admission requirements and locations where the MS degrees are offered.

ADDITIONAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Award of credits for JCSOS and JCWS coursework will be effective with the first JCSOS and JCWS classes conducted under the current program of instruction.

The Webster University MBA and the MA in Business and Organizational Security Management are offered online. The MBA, MA, or MS degrees may be taken at any Webster University campus offering the programs. Tuition cost will vary depending upon location and format.

Requirements for admission to Webster University are as follows:

a. Completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university or approved by Webster University and submission of an official transcript reflecting conferral of degree. Students applying for a sequential degree program must submit official transcripts for both undergraduate and graduate degrees reflecting conferral of degree.

b. Completion and submission of the Webster University graduate school application form with applicable application fee.

c. Participants in this program will not be required to complete separate graduate entrance examinations such as Graduate Record Exam (GRE), Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), or Miller’s Analogy Test (MAT). Letters of recommendation will not be required.

All students should consult the academic policies and procedures section of the current Webster University Graduate Studies Catalog concerning admission, enrollment and academic policies.

All military officers are authorized Tuition Assistance unless they already have a degree above the bachelors level. However, those using military Tuition Assistance are involuntarily extended on active duty for two years following the end of the last term that TA was used.

Students should refer questions regarding TA eligibility, TA annual limitations, VA, and VA/TA Top Up to an Education Counselor in their servicing Education Services Office.

All students may apply for a Guaranteed Student Loan (GSL) subsidized or unsubsidized. Eligibility would depend on information provided by the student on the financial aid application.

If you have questions on any aspect of this cooperative degree program between the Joint Forces Staff College and Webster University, you may contact the Director of the Fort Leonard Wood Military Campus at leonardwood@webster.edu.

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

SEQUENTIAL DEGREES

ADDITIONAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

“That all may labor as one”