PARK HILLS – Mineral Area College (MAC) is extremely grateful to the Missouri General Assembly for passing a transformative bill that promises to simplify and strengthen the pathways 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 legislation directly benefits Missouri students and families by standardizing lower-division courses,” said Mineral Area College President Dr. Joe Gilgour. “This consistency will save them both time and money by ensuring smoother transfers to universities without the need to repeat introductory coursework within the major. It’s a significant step forward for student transfer pathways in our state.”
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, a committee of experts will work to design single articulation pathways that guide students clearly and efficiently from associate to bachelor’s degrees.
Mineral Area College and the Missouri Community College Association commend the Missouri General Assembly for its leadership and look forward to the Governor’s signature on this game-changing legislation for Missouri’s students.