General Information

Academic Calendar

Please check the OTC website for the most current academic calendar.

Accreditation

OTC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a Commission of the North Central Association located at 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, Illinois 60602-2504, 800-621-7440.

Programs in the college are also recognized and/or accredited by:

• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
• Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology (ARC-ST)
• American Culinary Federation Education Foundation, Inc. Accrediting Commission (ACFEFAC)
• American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
• American Welding Society (AWS)
• Associated General Contractors (AGC)
• Automotive Standards of Excellence/National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (ASE/NATEF)
• Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
• Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
• Commission on Dental Accreditation (COTA), American Dental Association (ADA)
• Committee on Accreditation of Education Programs for the EMS professions (Co AEMSP)
• Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
• HVAC Excellence
• Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair
• International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC)
• Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education (CBHE)
• Missouri Department of Health Bureau of Emergency Medical Services
• Missouri State Board of Nursing (MSBN)
• Missouri State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)
• National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Lab Sciences (NAACLS)
• National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP)

College History

Ozarks Technical Community College celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2015 to commemorate a critical step voters took in April 3, 1990, to approve the establishment of a community technical college. Since the college expanded to six locations over the next 23 years, marked most recently with the opening of the OTC Table Rock Campus and the OTC Waynesville Center in 2013.

As a result of the vote in 1990, OTC became the region’s comprehensive community college and provided an open admission, two-year college with a focus on technical education. Citizens could earn a one-year certificate, two-year associate of applied science degree (A.A.S.) or an associate of arts degree (A.A.). Word spread quickly of OTC’s commitment to small class sizes, its professional faculty and staff, diverse curriculum and focus on quality.

In September 1991, with 1,198 college credit students, OTC opened its doors at Cox Medical Center North and at 815 N. Sherman in Lincoln Hall and Graff Hall, facilities that formerly housed the Graff Area Vocational Technical Center. These two buildings became the cornerstone of the campus.

In 1996, OTC received accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

OTC’s potential to meet the job-training needs of the area became apparent. New programs were developed and existing programs continually revised with guidance and input from the members of the 41 program advisory committees, made up of residents along with business and industry leaders. Since 1991, more than 200,000 citizens of southwest Missouri have taken advantage of one or more of the college’s educational services.

Enrollment grew at an annual compound rate of 11.4 percent between 1991 and 2014. Not only did enrollment soar, but quality education continued to prevail. In February 2001, OTC was given a 10-year reaccreditation from the North Central Association.

With this growth rate, the campus expanded to accommodate the demand for facilities. The Norman K. Myers Technical Education Center opened in the summer of 1997, the Information Commons in the summer of 1998, the Information Commons East in the summer of 1999, and the Industry and Transportation Technology Center in 2000. Renovation of historic Lincoln Hall was completed in 2001, after the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in May 2000. A plaque recognizing the building’s placement on the National Register, honoring it as the first Julius Rosenwald School in Missouri was unveiled in August 2004. The Information Commons West opened in 2002. The newly renovated Graff Hall reopened in the fall of 2003. The pedestrian mall was funded by a state grant and the fountain was made possible by a gift from John Q. Hammons, Springfield Entreprenuer and Businessman.

The first classes were held at the OTC Richwood Valley Campus in the spring 2007 semester. Named for the historic area where the campus now stands, the Richwood Valley campus is located on Highway 14 between the cities of Ozark and Nixa.

The college’s growth continued in fall 2007, when its fine arts programs moved to the third floor of the Jim D. Morris Building, in the Gillioz Theatre complex in downtown Springfield. Later that fall, the Center for Workforce Development expanded into a new location just west of the OTC Springfield Campus. In 2008, the OTC Waynesville Center moved to a new 10,300 square foot facility in the Townfield Plaza Center, and OTC assumed the operation of the Licensed Practical Nursing program at Gibson Technical Center in Reeds Spring.

In February 2011, the North Central Association granted OTC another 10-year reaccreditation. That summer, OTC became the Ozarks Technical Community College system, a transition that put the institution in a better position for future growth and expansion plans.

In fall 2011, the OTC Lebanon Center moved into new facilities donated to the college by Reuben and Mary Lou Casey.

In the fall of 2013, the OTC Waynesville Center moved to a larger location along Interstate 44. The OTC Table Rock Campus celebrated its grand opening in Hollister on Highway 165.

The College Today

In addition to its college credit component, OTC provides area citizens with a variety of educational options:

• Adult Education and Literacy is available to adults working toward the High School Equivalency (HSE) Test in a variety of locations throughout the Ozarks.
• Non-credit personal and professional enrichment courses are offered at local high schools and community centers throughout the Ozarks.
• Specific training can be custom designed for businesses and industries at the work site.
• English as a Second Language classes are available throughout the year.

OTC’s comprehensive mission, focus on job-skill training, and college transfer preparation has made it a vital part of one of the fastest growing areas in the state of Missouri. OTC looks to a promising and productive future as faculty, staff and community members work together to provide the best educational value for all residents of the Ozarks.

OTC Springfield Campus

The college operates in Springfield at the 40-acre campus at the corner of Chestnut Expressway and National Avenue.

• The Norman K. Myers Technical Education Center houses classrooms, electronic media labs and science labs.
• The Information Commons houses the college’s business office, administrative offices and library.
• The Information Commons East provides more classrooms, faculty and administrative offices, and OTC Career Center office.
• The Information Commons West houses the culinary arts and hospitality programs, student services facilities, and Cafe 101.
• The Industry Transportation and Technology Center provides the latest technology and laboratory facilities for many of the technical degree programs.
• The Allied Health programs are located in historic Lincoln Hall along with additional technical program labs.
• Graff Hall houses the Networking and Computer Services department, Information Technology, Fire Science, and Business/Marketing programs and computer labs, along with the Adult Education and Literacy programs.
• The Center for Workforce Development is located at the Missouri Career Center, 2900 East Sunshine St., Springfield, MO 65804
• The campus also offers a preschool in the Lewis Family Early Childhood Education Center located at 936 N. Hampton.

OTC Richwood Valley Campus

The OTC Richwood Valley Campus is located in Christian County on Highway 14 between Ozark and Nixa.

• The Life Science Technology Center houses a variety of general education classrooms, computer and science labs, and faculty offices.
• The campus offers several associate degree or transfer degree options, hybrid courses, as well as the Medical Lab Technology and Physical Therapist Assistant programs. Non-credit offerings include AEL and High School Equivalency (HSE) programs.
• As a result of collaborative partnerships with area universities, students may also obtain bachelor’s degrees from Drury University and advanced degrees from Lindenwood University through evening classes at the OTC Richwood Valley Campus.
• Student amenities include a student services facility, a library, an academic support center, an open computer lab and a café.
• Facilities available to the community include meeting rooms, a FEMA tornado shelter and a 1.5 mile walking trail.

OTC Table Rock Campus

The OTC Table Rock Campus is located in Hollister at 10698 Historic Highway 165. The campus opened in the fall of 2013.

• The four-story Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center houses a variety of classrooms, labs and offices.
• The campus offers the Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts in Teaching, and Licensed Practical Nursing programs, as well as a variety of general education classes.
• Non-credit offerings include AEL and High School Equivalency preparation programs.
• Future growth plans include additional programs designed with area industries in mind.
• The fourth floor is available to the community for meeting space.

OTC Centers

Students have the option of meeting many of their educational needs by attending one of the OTC Centers in Lebanon or Waynesville. These centers offer a wide range of general, technical, and select workforce development courses.

• The OTC Lebanon Center is located on MM Highway off of I-44 at 22360 Highway MM, (417) 447-8932 or (417) 532-5044.
• The OTC Waynesville Center is located at 600 GW Lane Street in Waynesville, (573) 774-5061. The 28,560-sq.-ft. facility is visible from Interstate 44, alongside the Waynesville Career Center and Waynesville High School.

OTC Online

OTC Online is your online community college. Through OTC Online, Ozarks Technical Community College offers a wide variety of online and hybrid courses designed for busy learners who cannot attend face-to-face (traditional) classes or who simply prefer to learn in an online environment. Students may earn the following certificates and degrees online:

• Associate of Arts (A.A.)
• Associate of Arts (A.A.) in Behavioral Science
• Associate of Arts in Business (A.A.B.)
• Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Accounting and Business Management
• Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Business and Marketing
• Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Business Technology
• Associate of Arts in Teaching (A.A.T.)*
• Associate of Interdepartmental Studies (A.I.S.)
• Certificate in Business and Marketing
• Certificate in Business Technology

* Exception: This degree is fully online with the exception of EDU-210, which is offered as a face-to-face or hybrid course.

Students may also earn the following degrees in a hybrid format:

• Associate of Science (A.S.) in Biological Clinical Science
• Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Dental Assisting

Online and hybrid courses include the same content as face-to-face courses, offer the same level of academic quality, and provide interactive and collaborative learning processes. For more information about OTC Online courses or programs, please choose from the following options:

• Visit the OTC Online website at online.otc.edu.
• E-mail online@otc.edu.
• Call (417) 447-8200.

College District

The Ozarks Technical Community College district encompasses the fifteen school districts shown below.

Mission

The college mission is to provide accessible, high quality, and affordable learning opportunities that transform lives and strengthen the communities we serve.

Vision

The college vision is to serve our communities by expanding opportunities for personal and professional growth through our commitment to excellence and innovation.

Core Values

Purpose

OTC fulfills its mission through the following programs and services:

• Technical Education Programs. Provide certificate, associate degree and shorter programs, which enable students to pursue a career or advance their education.
• General Education. Provide courses which lead to accomplishment of certificates, A.A.S. and A.A. degrees.
• Developmental Education. Provide courses which develop basic skills in areas such as adult literacy, mathematics and study skills.
• Center for Workforce Development. Provide training to address specific needs of business and industry and further economic development in the region.
• Community Enrichment. Provide a variety of non-credit courses and lifelong learning opportunities, which are responsive to the needs of the region.
• Student Services. Provide services to assist students in fulfilling their educational goals including orientation, assessment, advisement, financial aid, personal and career counseling, career employment opportunities, accommodation services for students with disabilities, and a library.

Adopted: November 1, 1990. Revised: August 11, 2008.

Philosophy of Education

Ozarks Technical Community College’s general education philosophy reflects the belief in a core of learning experiences common to first- and second-year college students. The core curriculum provides an established body of knowledge that allows students to become productive, contributing, informed members of society.

The college is responsible for helping students gain an understanding of themselves, their global community and the physical universe. The college provides an environment where students can learn effective communication and critical thinking skills while developing the foundation necessary to become life-long learners.

The college’s mission recognizes its obligation to provide learning experiences that are specialized in order to meet the needs of the community. The career and technical programs are complemented by the established body of knowledge in the core curriculum necessary in the workplace, the community and in life.

Assessment

Consistent with the Ozarks Technical Community College mission and purpose of promoting student learning through accessible, high quality, affordable workforce training and technical and general education that is responsive to the needs of the community and its diverse constituencies, the college has implemented on-going assessment activities that provide the feedback needed to plan, improve quality, and allocate necessary resources to the various programs and services the college offers. This process begins at the course level or service level and is utilized to evaluate institutional effectiveness and determine how well the college is supporting its mission. The systematic and continuous process of assessment monitors learning and services over time to determine if the institution’s goals are met and the areas that need improvement are identified. The process involves the use of a variety of measurement tools that have been selected or created based on the college’s mission and specific learning outcomes. The purpose of the assessment process at Ozarks Technical Community College is to provide the feedback and data needed to do the following:

• Improve student learning and teaching effectiveness
• Improve and revise curriculum
• Improve the quality of programs and the process of program planning
• Allocate necessary resources needed for effective planning and budgeting
• Effectively assist students in making course and career selections
• Demonstrate accountability to internal and external constituencies

The assessment process at the college is designed to support the mission through the process of measuring and evaluating institution, division, program, department and course effectiveness. Assessment at these various levels allows the college to capitalize on strengths, identify areas where opportunities for enhancement exist, and implement changes and improvements in order to maximize student academic achievement, personal development, and the quality of the academic programs and services offered by the college.

Ozarks Technical Community College accepts as its institutional responsibility the necessity to demonstrate that students are learning and are meeting the goals and expectations set forth at the course, program or department, division, and institutional level. The data generated through campus-wide assessment processes then becomes the basis for collaborative decision making at many levels within the institution. Providing evidence to all stakeholders that students are successfully achieving the academic goals that have been established is an important component of the assessment process.

Drug-Free Statement

OTC prohibits the unlawful possession, use, distribution and sale of alcohol and illicit drugs by OTC students and employees on college-owned or -controlled property and at events sponsored by OTC. In observance of state law, no person under the age of 21 may purchase or attempt to purchase, or have in his or her possession, any alcoholic or intoxicating beverage on the college premises or at college sponsored events. OTC complies with all laws related to underage drinking, and any violation of the state’s underage drinking laws will be referred to the appropriate authorities. Further, the Standards of Conduct for both students and employees, regardless of age, prohibit the possession of alcohol and illicit drugs and/or being present on college owned or controlled property while under the influence of such. Resources for treatment referrals are available in the Counseling Services office. Further information concerning OTC’s drug and alcohol prevention program may be found in the Student Handbook section of this publication.

Tobacco-Free Policy

Ozarks Technical Community College is committed to providing its students and employees a safe and healthy environment. In view of this commitment, the college is a tobacco-free institution. No consumption of tobacco or use of e-cigarettes will be allowed on any college property or in any college facility. The institution will display notice of the Tobacco-Free policy at all college locations.

For more information regarding the Tobacco-Free Campus policy you may visit the OTC website. Thank you for your cooperation in helping to make our campus cleaner and our lives healthier!

Infectious and Contagious Diseases

Students of Ozarks Technical Community College who may become infected with any type of contagious disease, such as AIDS, H1N1, SARS, Hepatitis, among others, will not be excluded from enrollment or employment, or restricted in their access to college services or facilities unless otherwise medically indicated or required by law. The college complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and makes every effort to ensure that persons with disabilities admitted to the college as students are afforded all of the rights and privileges provided to them by this act.

Persons who know or suspect that they are infected are expected to seek expert advice about their health circumstances and are obligated ethically and legally to conduct themselves responsibly in accordance with such knowledge for the protection of others. Additionally, those who know they are infected are urged to share that information with the appropriate administrator so the college can respond appropriately to their needs. Such information will be disclosed to responsible college officials only on a strictly limited need-to-know basis unless the individual consents in writing to other releases of the information. The college will respond on an individual, case-by-case basis to shared information. The college’s response will take into consideration the expressed desires and opinions of the person who is infected, the recommendations of the individual’s physician, and the college’s commitment to the protection, to the extent possible, of both the public health and the individual’s rights. The response will include recommendations for reasonable accommodations and/or restrictions.

Inclement Weather Procedure

In the event the college must close or classes be cancelled due to inclement weather, a notice will be placed on the OTC website and all local radio and TV stations will be notified. Additionally, the college implemented a system which notifies via text message all students who provide a cell phone number. Students are reminded to use their own judgment, as adults, concerning the safety of traveling to classes.

Emergency Plan

The college has posted emergency plans throughout its facilities and also on the OTC website, otc.edu. Further information concerning emergency plans and procedures is included in the Student Handbook section of this publication.

Academic Integrity

The college experience is founded on the concepts of honesty and integrity. Dishonesty, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to the college are regarded as particularly serious offenses. Within the respective curricular divisions of OTC, faculty members handle cases of dishonesty in their classes by levying certain penalties. However, in flagrant cases, the penalty may be dismissal from the college after proper due process proceedings. See the Student Handbook  section of this publication for more detailed information.

Student Rights/Responsibilities

Each Ozarks Technical Community College student’s conduct should be in such a manner as to uphold the good name of the college and fellow students by full recognition of responsibilities under the law and the moral and social standards of the community, state and nation. Students are responsible for knowledge of college rules and regulations as set forth in the Student Handbook section of this publication.

Sexual Misconduct Statement

Ozarks Technical Community College is committed to providing a learning and working environment that promotes personal integrity, civility, and mutual respect in an environment free of discrimination on the basis of sex. The college considers sex discrimination in all its forms to be a serious offense. Sex discrimination constitutes a violation of college policy, is unacceptable, and will not be tolerated.

Sexual harassment, whether verbal, physical, visual or digital is a form of prohibited sex discrimination. OTC’s Sexual Misconduct policy is currently under review to ensure compliance with the most recent Department of Education requirements. The current policy may be found at otc.edu/policies/27542.php. The specific definitions of sexual harassment and sexual violence, options for reporting instances of sexual misconduct, and available resources may be found in the Student Handbook section of this publication.