Cox College Satellite Program to open in Monett
September 16, 2020
Mary Hagens
Dr. Amy DeMelo, President of Cox College, announced that the college is partnering with Scott Regional Technology Center and Cox Hospital in Monett to offer an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree, beginning in January 2021, through a new night and weekend program on the SRTC campus.
“The community of Monett has been wonderfully supportive of the college in helping us bring our program to Monett,” Dr. DeMelo stated.
Located in Springfield, Cox College is a private, non-profit college established as Burge Deaconess Training School for Nurses in 1907. With a record fall enrollment of 975 this year, the recently renovated campus offers nursing programs to fit real-life schedules. Students can choose traditional classes, night and weekend classes, or an accelerated 16-month nursing program. Undergraduate degrees include radiologic services, medical assisting, and Associates, Bachelors, and Registered nursing degrees. Graduate studies include Master of Science degrees in nursing, nutritional diagnostics, and occupational therapy.
According to Dr. DeMelo, “Virtually every student at the college already has secured a job by the time they graduate.”
With approval from the Missouri State Board of Nursing, Cox College has chosen to expand its undergraduate nursing program from 250 to 400 students over the next few years, increasing by 25 openings per year. At its peak of 400 students, it will be the second largest nursing program in Missouri.
As part of an effort to meet the current state and national shortage of nurses and other medical professionals, the college decided to develop satellite campuses in underserved areas and to offer night and weekend courses for future nurses who were unable to go to school full time. Cox had previously established a successful satellite program in Houston in 2015, so this was not a new task.
Dr. DeMelo said, “As of right now, our goal is to grow to accept a total of 400 undergraduate nursing students per year. The Monett campus is part of that plan, beginning with 10 students. If there is additional demand in the future, we would look to grow to meet that demand.”
Monett is considered a good fit for this program due to its growth in population, the addition of the new Cox Hospital, and the proximity of Scott Regional Technology Center with its excellent facilities.
The establishment of this satellite campus is due to a collaborative effort by Dr. DeMelo, Dr. Amy Townsend, Chief Nursing Administrator at Cox College, and Anessa Garner, Career Service coordinator at SRTC.
The classes will be located in the health occupations department on the SRTC campus with simulations and clinicals at Cox Hospital.
A selected cohort of ten nursing students will meet nights and weekends with instructors Laura Sperry and Kellie Soles.
The Monett campus will offer an Associate of Science in Nursing degree, and after completing the requirements for the degree, a student can enter the workforce as an Associates Prepared Nurse.
Applications for the January 2021 Monett cohort have already been received, and the Cox College staff is currently reviewing those applications. High school graduates who wish to apply for the next session should do so by March 1, 2021.
Most students are eligible for federal student loans, and approximately 80% of Cox students receive federal aid. Additionally, Cox College awards $200,000 in scholarships annually.
Dr. Amy DeMelo, President of Cox College, announced that the college is partnering with Scott Regional Technology Center and Cox Hospital in Monett to offer an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree, beginning in January 2021, through a new night and weekend program on the SRTC campus.
“The community of Monett has been wonderfully supportive of the college in helping us bring our program to Monett,” Dr. DeMelo stated.
Located in Springfield, Cox College is a private, non-profit college established as Burge Deaconess Training School for Nurses in 1907. With a record fall enrollment of 975 this year, the recently renovated campus offers nursing programs to fit real-life schedules. Students can choose traditional classes, night and weekend classes, or an accelerated 16-month nursing program. Undergraduate degrees include radiologic services, medical assisting, and Associates, Bachelors, and Registered nursing degrees. Graduate studies include Master of Science degrees in nursing, nutritional diagnostics, and occupational therapy.
According to Dr. DeMelo, “Virtually every student at the college already has secured a job by the time they graduate.”
With approval from the Missouri State Board of Nursing, Cox College has chosen to expand its undergraduate nursing program from 250 to 400 students over the next few years, increasing by 25 openings per year. At its peak of 400 students, it will be the second largest nursing program in Missouri.
As part of an effort to meet the current state and national shortage of nurses and other medical professionals, the college decided to develop satellite campuses in underserved areas and to offer night and weekend courses for future nurses who were unable to go to school full time. Cox had previously established a successful satellite program in Houston in 2015, so this was not a new task.
Dr. DeMelo said, “As of right now, our goal is to grow to accept a total of 400 undergraduate nursing students per year. The Monett campus is part of that plan, beginning with 10 students. If there is additional demand in the future, we would look to grow to meet that demand.”
Monett is considered a good fit for this program due to its growth in population, the addition of the new Cox Hospital, and the proximity of Scott Regional Technology Center with its excellent facilities.
The establishment of this satellite campus is due to a collaborative effort by Dr. DeMelo, Dr. Amy Townsend, Chief Nursing Administrator at Cox College, and Anessa Garner, Career Service coordinator at SRTC.
The classes will be located in the health occupations department on the SRTC campus with simulations and clinicals at Cox Hospital.
A selected cohort of ten nursing students will meet nights and weekends with instructors Laura Sperry and Kellie Soles.
The Monett campus will offer an Associate of Science in Nursing degree, and after completing the requirements for the degree, a student can enter the workforce as an Associates Prepared Nurse.
Applications for the January 2021 Monett cohort have already been received, and the Cox College staff is currently reviewing those applications. High school graduates who wish to apply for the next session should do so by March 1, 2021.
Most students are eligible for federal student loans, and approximately 80% of Cox students receive federal aid. Additionally, Cox College awards $200,000 in scholarships annually.
