MSSU Board approves new degree programs, new fee structure

Mar. 15—Missouri Southern State University will offer a new food science and nutrition program degree starting in the fall of 2024 following a decision by the university's Board of Governors at its regular meeting on Friday. The board voted unanimously to add a bachelor of science in food science and nutrition to the list of degrees available at Southern.

"The new degree program will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the intricate aspects of food science, nutrition and human health," said Andrea Cullers, chair of the department of kinesiology at MSSU. "Food science and nutrition is a high-opportunity field, reflecting the growing interest in nutrition, food safety, sustainability of the food system and evolving technologies in food processing."

Cullers said employment in the food science and nutrition field is projected to grow by 14% in Missouri by 2030, with a median annual wage of more than $65,000 for jobs in the industry. Nationally, job growth in the field increased by 13% between 2021 and 2022.

The University of Missouri-Columbia is the only other university in the state to offer a food science degree.

Missouri Southern's program will draw from various science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, fields such as biology, chemistry, physics, physiology, nutrition, microbiology and biochemistry.

Students will have the opportunity to delve into the fundamental principles of food science, including food safety, processing, packaging, analysis, quality assurance, food policies and regulations.

It will include practical experiences through internships, providing students with hands-on learning, Cullers said.

"This program ensures a tailored educational experience for students who are passionate about food science and nutrition," Cullers said, "along with opportunities to enter the workforce with skills that will benefit the industry, our communities and our state and region."

Fee structure

The board also approved what the university calls a "simplified and transparent student academic fee structure eliminating the concern of unexpected fees that can sometimes occur in student billing."

Beginning with the fall 2024 semester, all MSSU undergraduate students will pay $30 per credit hour, labeled as the "Lion Fee," to replace existing academic program and class fees, meaning students will know exactly how much their bill will be — and what their financial aid will cover — before classes begin.

Previously, student academic fees would vary depending on what courses students selected, affecting the overall costs students faced once the semester began and at times leading to unanticipated costs.

"Students really don't like unexpected course fees that sometimes come after you sign up for a class," said Maddox Studdard, the Board of Governors' student representative. "When Dr. (MSSU President Dean) Van Galen met with student leaders about the new Lion Fee, what they liked most about it was it was transparent, and they would know how much their costs would be before they signed up for their classes."

The new fee only pertains to academic and course fees. Missouri Southern does not charge parking, recreation center, health center and athletic fees that are common at other higher education institutions and will continue to offer those opportunities and services for free with the new fee structure.