Springfield, MO — May 14, 2025 — Ozarks Technical Community College (Ozarks Tech) proudly celebrates the Missouri General Assembly’s passage of a transformative bill that promises to simplify and strengthen the pathway from community college to a four-year degree. The newly approved Higher Education Core Curriculum Transfer Act represents a major victory for Missouri students by guaranteeing that key coursework will transfer seamlessly between public colleges and universities across the state.
The legislation, now on its way to the Governor’s desk for signature, establishes a 60 credit-hour, transferable lower-division course block for five high-demand degree programs: general business, elementary education, general psychology, nursing, and general biology or biological sciences. Once signed into law, this legislation will ensure that students who complete this course block at any Missouri public community college will have their credits fully accepted by any public university offering the same program.
“This is a win for every student in Missouri who has worried about their hard work not counting toward a four-year degree,” said Dr. Hal Higdon, Chancellor of Ozarks Tech. “The passage of this bill puts students first. It sends a clear message that Missouri’s public colleges and universities are working together to deliver seamless, affordable, and transparent educational pathways.”
Under the act, all public institutions will adopt a common course numbering system and course equivalency matrix, ensuring that the content and credit value of core courses are recognized statewide. In collaboration with the Coordinating Board for Higher Education, each institution will also help design single articulation pathways that guide students clearly and efficiently from associate to bachelor’s degrees.
For institutions like Ozarks Tech, the new law enables updates to existing programs and the development of new degrees aligned with these statewide standards, with changes set to take effect in the 2028-29 academic catalog.
“This legislation recognizes the essential role community colleges play in workforce development in higher education access and completion,” Dr. Higdon added. “We are proud to be part of a unified effort that honors the work students do—wherever they start—and ensures it moves them forward.”
A statewide website will be developed to help students and families easily access information about the new transfer pathways, and progress on implementation will be reported to the Missouri legislature by December 31, 2026.
Ozarks Tech commends the Missouri General Assembly for its leadership and looks forward to the Governor’s signature on this game-changing legislation for Missouri’s students.