On February 18, 2004, the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command and Webster University signed a cooperative degree program agreement that allows graduates of the Space Operations Officer Qualification Course (SOOQC) an opportunity to complete a Master of Science degree in Space Systems Operations Management through shared academic credits between the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command and Webster University.

The purpose of this paper brief is to explain the cooperative degree program in terms of its development, student eligibility, participation, format, credits awarded for successful completion of the SOOQC, Webster University coursework required, and tuition rates.

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

The U. S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Webster University cooperative degree program was developed in accordance with the American Council on Education's Joint Statement on the Transfer and Award of Credit, which contains guidelines approved by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO). Both the Space Operations Officer Qualification Course and Webster University curriculums were evaluated to insure there was educational quality, comparability of the nature, content, and level of learning experiences appropriate and applicable to the student's educational goals. Information from program catalogs and discussions between knowledgeable and experienced faculty and academic administrators at both academic institutions were used in developing the arrangement.

RECOGNIZED SOOQC CREDITS AND CROSS-LISTING

SOOQC course titles and cross-listing with Webster University coursework are as follows:

SOOQC Space Environment (3SH)
    (substitute for SPSM 5000 Space Environment)

SOOQC Space Communications (3SH)
    (substitute for SPSM 5710 Space Communications Systems)

SOOQC Operations Research (3SH)
    (substitute for SPSM 5730 Space Operations Research)

SOOQC Operations Management (3SH)
    (substitute for SPSM 5770 Space Operations Management)

SOOQC Space Integration (3SH)
    (substitute for SPSM 5910 Space Systems Integration)

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN SPACE SYSTEMS OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

Participants in this cooperative degree program may major in the Master of Science in Space Systems Operations Management with an emphasis in either Engineering and Technical Management or Acquisitions and Program Management. The above listed 15 credits of SOOQC coursework will be awarded for successful completion of the SOOQC leaving 24 SH of Webster University coursework for degree completion.

ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL MANAGEMENT EMPHASIS

Students pursuing the emphasis of Engineering and Technical Management will be required to complete a total of 24 semester hours of Webster University coursework consisting of the following:

    SPSM 5740 Space Systems Operations-Orbital Mechanics
    SPSM 5750 Space Systems Engineering
    SPSM 6000 Practical Research in Space Operations

Students will be required to select a total of three courses from the following Webster University electives:

    SPSM 5700 Space Commanding Systems
    SPSM 5760 Space Bio-Astronautics
    SPSM 5800 GPS Space Radio Navigations Systems
    SPSM 5900 Space Commercialization
    SPSM 5930 Space Systems Law and Policy
    SPSM 5940 Space Decisions Support Systems
    SPSM 5990 Issues in Space Operations

Students will select two additional electives from other course offerings from Webster University or two additional SPSM electives from the above list.

ACQUISTIONS AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT EMPHASIS

Students pursuing the emphasis of Acquisitions and Program Management will be required to complete the following 24 semester hours of Webster University coursework:

    SPSM 5600 Space Systems Acquisition Law
    SPSM 5650 Space Systems Contracting
    SPSM 5950 Space Systems Project Management
    SPSM 6000 Practical Research in Space Operations

Students will select two courses from the following Webster University SPSM electives:

    SPSM 5760 Space Bio-Astronautics
    SPSM 5800 GPS-Space Radio Navigation Systems
    SPSM 5900 Space Commercialization
    SPSM 5930 Space Law and Policy
    SPSM 5990 Issues in Space Operations

Students will select two additional electives from other course offerings from Webster University or two additional SPSM electives from the above list.

TRANSFER OF CREDITS/ELIGIBILITY

To receive credit for SOOQC completion, SOOQC graduates must submit documentation reflecting successful completion of SOOQC.

This Agreement will apply to those graduates completing the previous SOOQC whereby the SOOQC curriculum is the same as or equivalent to the current SOOQC curriculum.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Requirements for admission to Webster University are as follows:

    1. Completion of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university or approved by Webster University and submission of an official transcript reflecting conferral of degree.

    2. Completion and submission of the Webster University graduate school application form with applicable application fee.

    3. Participants in this program will not be required to complete separate graduate entrance examinations such as Graduate Record Exam (GRE), Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), or Miller's Analogy Test (MAT). Letters of recommendation will not be required.

All students should consult the academic policies and procedures section of the current Webster University Graduate Studies Catalog concerning admissions, enrollment and academic policies.

TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

All active duty military personnel are authorized Tuition Assistance unless they already have a degree above the bachelors level. Students should refer questions regarding TA eligibility, TA annual limitations, VA, and VA/TA Top Up to an Education Counselor in their servicing Education Services Office. At present, commissioned or warrant officers using Tuition Assistance are involuntarily extended on active duty for two years following the end of the last term that TA was used. Specifics on this requirement should be discussed with an education counselor.

All students may apply for a Guaranteed Student Loan (GSL) subsidized or unsubsidized. Eligibility would depend on information provided by the student on the financial aid application.

POINT OF CONTACT

If you have questions on any aspect of this cooperative degree program between the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command and Webster University, you may contact www.webster.edu/multicampus/colorado.html or www.webster.edu/ftleonardwood.