SPRINGFIELD, Mo., June 12, 2025 – Drury University and Ozarks Technical Community College recently updated a long-standing agreement to better assist students transferring from Ozarks Tech to Drury to further their Elementary, Middle School, or Secondary Education studies, in a joint effort to help curb both Missouri’s ongoing teacher shortage and to assist with state-wide retention issues.
The agreement applies to Ozarks Tech students who have completed the Associate of Arts in Teacher Education program. Students from Ozarks Tech will be granted junior status in the undergraduate Education programs at Drury. Those students will be eligible for regular admission to Drury’s teacher certification program upon completion of 12 or more credit hours with a Drury cumulative 2.75 grade-point average or higher.
“Missouri students need well-trained educators and we are partnering to make this avenue to certification as smooth as possible,” Natalie Precise, Dean of Drury’s School of Education, said. “Our partnership with Ozarks Tech has always allowed our shared students an opportunity to complete their teacher certification in a flexible and personalized way. This latest partnership agreement was created to identify additional courses for a smoother transfer from Ozarks Tech Teacher Education program to our School of Education & Child Development.”
“This renewed partnership reflects our shared commitment to strengthening Missouri’s teacher workforce,” Dr. Hal Higdon, Chancellor of Ozarks Technical Community College, said. “By beginning their academic journey at Ozarks Tech and continuing at Drury, students have access to an affordable, high-quality pathway that leads directly into the classroom and into careers that truly matter.”
Drury and Ozarks Tech are regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and recognize credits earned from other regionally accredited colleges and universities. Drury’s School of Education and Child Development is accredited through the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education.
For more information, please visit www.drury.edu/education.
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Media Contact: Cris Belvin, Director of University Communications & Media Relations | (417) 873-7392 | gbelvin@drury.edu
