The CollegeBoard organization concludes that the average cost of attending a private college is around $25,000 a year. With the downturn of the economy and many parents out of work, students need tuition support more than ever. The College of the Ozarks provides students a tuition free college experience.
Summary of College of the Ozarks
Located in Lookout Point, Missouri, the College of the Ozarks rests on 1,000 acres. This Presbyterian founded college pledges to educated students on five levels: academics, vocational, Christian, patriotic, and cultural.
Academics at College of the Ozarks
The college provides the opportunity to study 44 different majors, 36 different minors, and 10 pre-professional programs. While the school hosts common majors of education, business, and sciences, other lesser known majors are also available: agriculture, allied science interdisciplinary, and conservation and wildlife management.
Vocational Development at the College of the Ozarks
In addition to providing students an education towards a career, the college also instills a strong commitment to work ethic. Students who attend the college are required to work 15 hours a week during school session and two-40 hour weeks during school breaks. This work requirement offsets both the tuition costs for each student and facility costs for the college.
Students’ participation in this work study program provides students an opportunity to gain substantial work values. Students can choose from a plethora of work areas. Some examples include admission office, press and print shop, desk clerks, and museum guide. The school has over 100 different work activities for students.
Christian Perspective at College of the Ozarks
Students attending the college must adhere to specific Christian standards. Among the standards include participation in the campus Chapel services. While student do not have to attend all services, they must attend a minimum of seven services a semester.
All students will receive a student handbook that outlines expectations and standards of personal appearance and conduct. These requirements align with the college’s interpretation of Christian living. Student must adhere to modest clothing and hair styles, abstaining from sexual relationships outside of marriage, and zero use of drugs and alcohol to name a few.
Patriotic Value of College of the Ozarks
The college promotes allegiance to the United States of America and encourages students to do the same. Students are encourage “to stand, be respectful, and attentive” whenever the Star Spangled Banner is played or the Pledge of Alliance is recited. Additionally, the college hosts several events and courses to embrace patriotic traditions.
Cultural Influence at College of the Ozarks
The college hosts 18 seminar type events called convocations a semester. According to the college’s website, full time student must attend the following convocation requirements: “One program from the Art-Music-Theater section; Two programs from the General Interest section; Two programs from the Christian Content section; Two programs from the Major Convocation Series.” These experiences offer students insight outside of the classroom.
Students attending the College of the Ozarks do not pay tuition regardless of financial ability. Admitted students, only 350 a year out of over 3000 applications, desire the elements that the college provides; thus, the college will secure the money to educate each student. The school works as a large community to support one another through the college experience.
Student who attend College of the Ozarks wish to cultivate their lives in the five core areas of the college’s goals. While not a specific religious affiliation or political party supporter, the college will provide students an opportunity to explore each to develop into productive citizens.
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