Lawmakers greenlight doctoral degree legislation that would benefit MSU

Doctoral degree legislation that stands to benefit Missouri State University has been approved by the state legislature.

"The act authorizes Missouri State University to grant doctor of philosophy degrees in disciplines other than engineering and to grant bachelor of science degrees in veterinary technology," reads the language for House Bill 419 and Senate Bill 160.

Approved yesterday in Jefferson City amid the final week of the legislative session, the bills now head to Gov. Mike Kehoe's desk for consideration.

In a news release announcing the passage of the bills, MSU President Biff Williams said the legislation would allow the Springfield-based higher education institution to "better meet regional workforce needs across southwest Missouri and the state."

Williams said, "This will create new educational pathways for students and allow us to respond more effectively to the evolving demands of employers, industry partners and our communities."

The legislation, if approved, would remove the University of Missouri's exclusive authority to grant research doctorates and certain professional degrees, according to the release. Rep. Melanie Stinnett, R-Springfield, and Sen. Lincoln Hough, R-Springfield, were among legislators thanked by MSU, along with Missourians Improving Higher Education, an advocacy organization founded by Springfield attorney and MSU alumnus and supporter Thomas Strong.

Christopher Ave, director of media relations and public affairs for the University of Missouri, provided a statement early this afternoon to Springfield Business Journal.

"The new legislation will not impact the number of degree programs offered across the UM system," the statement reads. "The University of Missouri system continues to be the premier land-grant research university system for Missouri with $650 million in annual research expenditures and more than 620 research doctorates per year."

Williams and Clarenda Phillips, MSU's incoming provost, would work with members of the university community to identify programs that can be developed into doctoral degrees, said Emily Letterman, public relations strategist for MSU. Letterman noted funding and timelines for those degrees would depend on which programs are selected.

The basis of restriction came from MSU’s approved name change in 2006, when it agreed not to offer engineering programs and doctoral programs unless they were in cooperation with the University of Missouri-Columbia, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.