In a partnership that is being called one of a kind, the HBCU Central State University will partner with PWI Missouri State University. According to Springfield News-Leader, the new partnership will allow for undergraduate students to pursue their master’s degrees in an accelerated program through the MSU Springfield campus. See the full details from News-Leader below.

CSU, a land-grant university, was named the 2017 HBCU — Historically Black Colleges and Universities — of the Year. It is located in Wilberforce, Ohio.

Central State University

This partnership with a HBCU is the first of its kind for MSU.

“With this partnership, CSU students can complete their bachelor’s degree, while at the same time jump-start the process of earning a top quality master’s degree from MSU,” said MSU President Clif Smart, in a news release. “This will save them time and money, and support their future academic and career success.”

The two universities recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding.

According to the release, top undergraduate students from CSU will be able to enroll in any of the accelerated master’s programs at MSU that are in line with CSU’s academic offerings.

Missouri State University

CSU students will be able to start taking graduate course work in their program of choice during their junior or senior year. This option will be open to all students coming from 33 diverse areas of study.

The targeted date for the first group of CSU students to enter MSU’s accelerated options is fall 2021.

“It’s an honor for Central State University to partner with Missouri State, a university that aligns with our values and mission, which is focused on empowering students and campus community members to become global citizens who influence society for the better,” said CSU President Jack Thomas, in a release. “It certainly warms our hearts to partner with them as we develop the next generation of innovative leaders.”