More education choices. That's what authorities say is behind changes for people seeking Associates Degrees at Missouri Western State University.

As part of Missouri Western's switch to university status in 2005, the school was required to look over their 2 year programs and decide which to submit to the Missouri Department of Higher Education for re-approval and which to discontinue. Missouri Western will be submitting 6 of its 10 associate degree programs to be re-approved, and will be discontinuing the other 4.

The agreement won't have any impact on faculty employment at Western, as the programs will still be offered in their 4-year form. Fewer than 20 students are currently enrolled in the 4 programs being discontinued and Western officials say those students will be allowed to finish out their degrees, but as of fall 2009 students won't be allowed to enroll in these programs as associate degrees.

However, a memorandum has now been signed by Missouri Western State University, Metropolitan Community College of Kansas City, Missouri and North Central Missouri College of Trenton, Missouri to offer some two year programs, and also facilitate transfers between the campuses.

Western President, Bob Vartabedian, says the decisions were based on community needs.

The agreement also calls for joint enrollment at the three campuses for the business and criminal justice programs.