On Feb. 17, Missouri Southern and Southeast Missouri State University signed a cooperative master’s program in criminal justice agreement.

“It’s a festive occasion,” said University President Julio León.

“This is a great day,” said SEMO President Kenneth Dobbins.

Dobbins said the agreement is “historic” because of the distance between the two institutions.

“I think it is historic [because] it grows out of [Senate] Bill 55,” said Sen. Gary Nodler (R-Joplin).

Senate Bill 55 not only gave Southern university status, but also allows the University to enter into graduate education agreements with other Missouri state universities.

Nodler said this agreement between the institutions has removed barriers, causing the institutions to become partners instead of competitors.

Dobbins said this agreement would not have happened if Southern did not have an “excellent” criminal justice program.

Under the agreement between the University and SEMO, classes will be taught through the Internet, instructional television or any other available distance learning methods.

“The agreement essentially details the way in which we are going to proceed,” León said. “The expectations are that some graduate classes toward a master’s degree will begin in the fall.”

Dobbins said the Coordinating Board for Higher Education must approve the agreement between the two institutions in order for classes to begin at the universities. He said some of SEMO’s faculty will travel to Southern to teach classes, and some of Southern’s faculty will go to SEMO.

León said they are “excited” about the agreement with SEMO.

“Obviously, the agreement we signed with the president of Southeast Missouri State University will provide another opportunity for our students and people in the community especially the law enforcement area to have graduate level instruction,” he said.

He said it is nice the University did this agreement with another university.

Southern also has agreements with Northwest Missouri State University for master’s of science in education degrees in early childhood education and industrial technology, with the University of Missouri-Kansas City for nursing and dental hygiene and Missouri State University for master’s of arts in teaching.

Also, on the same day, the University also signed an international education exchange agreement with Yugra State University in Khanty-Mansyisk, Russia.