Education


In the Department of Corrections, we want our staff to grow professionally and personally. As a staff member, you have access to multiple education benefits, from free online courses to higher-education tuition discounts.

MOST 529

Missouri’s 529 education plan(link is external) is an investment account you can use for education savings. Earnings grow federally tax-deferred, and qualified withdrawals are tax-free. 529 accounts can be used to pay for 2- and 4-year colleges, post-secondary trade and vocational schools, postgraduate programs, and K-12 public, private, and religious institutions (tuition only).

Professional Development

MO Learning

Online training in a wide variety of topics can be accessed through MO Learning, powered by LinkedIn Learning. Department of Corrections staff can advance their professional development for their current roles and potential future roles. Over 7,000 courses are available. Popular topics include administrative, business, computer/mathematical, and community and social services.

Missouri Way

The Missouri Way is an intensive 3-day training program that gives emerging leaders the tools to solve basic management challenges and improve their team’s performance. The training is a mix of classroom instruction and individual and group exercises.

Missouri Leadership Academy

The Missouri Leadership Academy builds better leaders by bringing together leaders from all 16 executive departments. Emerging leaders prepare to take on new responsibilities and roles through this innovative training program.

College and University Discounts

Colleges and universities partner with the Missouri Department of Corrections to expand education opportunities for staff. Many provide tuition discounts and offer college credit for completion of corrections training. See the complete list for more information. 

Chillicothe Correctional Center staff take part in a Rockhurst University composition course

 

Ashland University: 10% tuition(link is external) discount and scholarship eligibility

Baker University: 15% tuition(link is external) discount

Columbia College: discounted rates to all MO state employees: $337.50/credit hour for undergraduate and $441.00/credit hour for graduate; Partners in Corrections(link is external) program discounts; free textbooks

Culver-Stockton College: 10% tuition(link is external) discount

Drury UniversityCriminal Justice Program(link is external); credit hours for Department of Corrections training: 6-9 credit hours (Corrections Officers) or 6 credit hours (non-custodial staff) for training completed at the DOC Training Academy and for on-the-job training completion; with completion of additional OJT and certification from your personnel department custodial staff will be awarded 9 credit hours

Missouri State University: 10% tuition discount; 15% discount on MSU Public Safety Training Center(link is external) courses and/or other non-credit courses

Park UniversityCriminal Justice Administration Program(link is external) or email emma.blankenship@park.edu(link sends email) for more information; 10% tuition discount; application fee waived

Purdue Global University: 20% undergraduate and 14% graduate tuition discounts(link is external); criminal justice programs; credit hours for Department of Corrections training

Rasmussen CollegeJustice Studies(link is external); 10% tuition discount

Rockhurst University: Free on-site college courses(link is external) at Chillicothe Correctional Center  

Saint Louis University: Free on-site college courses(link is external) at Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center

Truman State UniversityJustice Systems Program(link is external); 10% tuition discount

University of Central Missouri: 5% tuition discount online and Lee's Summit campus; 15% discount for certifications and training through the Missouri Safety Center(link is external) and Extended Studies; credit hours for Department of Corrections training

University of Phoenix: Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) provides an ability to convert on-the-job training and workplace certifications for college credit; Criminal Justice Program(link is external)

Washington University: Free on-site college courses(link is external) at Missouri Eastern Correctional Center; staff at Missouri Eastern Correctional Center are eligible to enroll in one free online class per semester 

Western Governors University: 5% tuition discounts; scholarships(link is external); credit hours for Department of Corrections training