Nixon signs bill enabling Harris-Stowe to seek graduate programs

For the first time in its 158-year history, Harris-Stowe State University is now able to offer graduate degrees.

On Wednesday, July 15, Gov. Jay Nixon signed Senate Bill 334, which allows St. Louis’ only Historically Black College and University to offer a range of graduate degree programs as well as more undergraduate degree offerings. The bill takes effect August 28.

“Allowing Harris-Stowe to offer graduate degrees and expand its undergraduate degree offerings will create greater opportunities for students in the St. Louis region for generations to come,” Nixon said.

Dwaun J. Warmack, president of Harris-Stowe State University, led the effort to seek graduate degree programs. Harris-Stowe is currently the only state university among 13 in the system not allowed to offer graduate degrees because of how the state law was written. SB 334 modifies provisions relating to the boards of regents of state colleges and universities and expands graduate degree-granting authority to Harris-Stowe.

“We believed that Gov. Nixon would sign into law the opportunity for Harris-Stowe to achieve parity with Missouri’s other 12 state universities,” Warmack said. “We’ve been hoping for this favorable outcome and will now begin the process to offer graduate programs as soon as feasible.”

The bill was sponsored by state Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis, a longtime champion of the university.

“I can truly say that I had overwhelming support from my colleagues in the House and the Senate – both Republicans and Democrats,” she said. “The incoming president brought it to me. He knew I was capable to get that passed, and I did just that.”

Nasheed said providing advanced degrees at Harris-Stowe will impact the entire region.

“We are going to have more qualified African Americans – and non-African Americans – who will be able to go out and enhance the economy in terms of a higher paid job,” she said.

It will also help the university to attract students from other parts of the state and even out of state, she said.

“This is a historical piece of legislation,” Nasheed said.

Nasheed said the bill just opens the door legally for the university to be approved for graduate degrees. University leaders still have to go before the state’s Coordinating Board of Higher Education for authorization.

If approved by the board, Warmack said, “Attaining an advanced degree will be within reach for a greater number of students, particularly those underserved students seeking an affordable graduate school opportunity.” 

The university was just approved to offer four new baccalaureate programs – the new majors are Finance, Political Science, Sociology and Urban Ecology – in the fall of 2015. 

The university also was approved to add 11 minors in the fall: International Relations; Law, Justice, and Society; Physical Science; Pre-Law; Public Policy and Administration; Science and Computation; Social Justice; Sociology; Urban Agriculture; Urban Politics; and Urban Sociology.

In addition, two new fully online programs will be launched in the fall: Health Care Management and Criminal Justice.

Currently, Harris-Stowe is only authorized to offer undergraduate degree programs with an emphasis on selected professional disciplines. It currently offers 14 degree programs in teacher education, business, and arts & sciences.