WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Changes to course scheduling for the Bachelor of Science in General Business degree through the Missouri State University Outreach Program will make it easier for potential students to complete the degree despite their busy schedules.

Beginning this fall, classes leading toward the degree, which is available at Missouri State-West Plains, will be offered on site or via interactive television (ITV) after 5:30 p.m., as well as online and through iCourses, Outreach Program Coordinator Deanna Smith said.  Locally, on site and ITV classes will be offered in the newly opened Gohn Hall, 603 W. Main St.

The scheduling changes are specifically designed to accommodate busy individuals who need to earn a college degree while juggling many commitments, such as work and family, Smith explained.

“The thought of an evening program for this degree has been discussed for quite some time, not just here in West Plains, but also in Lebanon and Neosho and with other Outreach coordinators,” she said.  “Just through my experience in talking with students and advisees, I have noticed a growing need for the classes to be more accessible to students who are working full time and have had difficulty in rearranging their schedules to take daytime classes.  Many of our students have employers who have agreed to work with them to flex their work schedules around their classes, but that hasn’t been possible for many, especially during the summer when some of the classes they need are offered up to four days per week in a three hour block in the middle of the day.”

According to Dr. Kent P. Ragan, head of the Finance and General Business Department at Missouri State University in Springfield, the general business major is one of the most flexible degree programs available.  “Students may choose from major electives in a variety of areas, including accounting, finance, management, marketing, risk management/insurance, etc., allowing them some ability to focus on areas of interest to them and enhancing their career prospects in that area.  General business majors often pursue careers in various areas of management, marketing (including sales, advertising, public relations, retailing, etc.), banking, insurance and many related fields,” he said.

For more information about the general business degree, contact Kim Stagner, adviser for the College of Business at Missouri State University in Springfield, at 417-836-5386 or at KimStagner@MissouriState.edu.

Registration for 2013 fall semester classes available through the Outreach Program at Missouri State-West Plains is going on now.  For more information, contact Smith at 417-255-7931 or at DeannaSmith@MissouriState.edu.