Online

Complete Your Degree Online!

Now you can take classes around your schedule and complete the entire Associate of Arts (AA) in General Studies degree online. And you don’t have to stop there! The AA degree transfers into many of the online bachelor’s degrees offered through Missouri State University.

Missouri State University-West Plains online courses offer an "anytime, anyplace" learning environment accessible by both the student and instructor via the Internet. In an online course, students and instructors are linked through a computer connection and use a special course management system (Brightspace) to communicate. Limits of time and space virtually disappear, saving commuting costs and eliminating scheduling conflicts. If you question whether or not you are ready for online education, take the Self Assessment.

However, Missouri State University-West Plains online courses are not self-paced. You'll find beginning and ending dates for each course, and there are deadline dates assigned for homework, reading, and online discussions. These will be outlined in the course syllabus posted on the course page. Your instructor will also provide specific instructions for submitting assignments via email, regular mail, fax or electronic "drop box."

Participation in the class will be monitored. In many cases, students will be required to post responses to a discussion topic within a scheduled time period, i.e., within one week of the topic being posted. Your instructor will keep track of your participation which is typically tied to your final grade. Again, this will vary from course to course, so make certain you understand what's expected from the very beginning.

The links at left will take you through an orderly process of initiating your online educational experience. If you have questions, please click the "Frequently Asked Questions" link first. For further assistance, click the "Help" link. To ensure completion of all required steps of the process, click here: Checklist.

Once you have completed the enrollment process, you should proceed through the Online Orientation program. Remember, with an anytime, anyplace learning opportunity, the key to your educational goals is literally at your fingertips!