SPRINGFIELD — Employees of Ozark Community Health System are now eligible for a 5% tuition discount under a new partnership between WGU Missouri and the Springfield, Missouri based health care organization. The Ozark Community Health System partnership discount will apply to any of WGU Missouri’s degree programs in business, information technology, education and healthcare.

Under the terms of the agreement, Ozark Community Health System employees can receive a 5 percent discount (for up to two years) to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree at WGU Missouri. The tuition discount reduces WGU Missouri’s already-low tuition of about $6,500 per year for most programs.

“This partnership will provide Ozark Community Health System employees with greater access to high-quality, affordable education,” said Dr. Angie Besendorfer, Chancellor of WGU Missouri. “As a university that is designed to meet the needs of working adults, we are pleased to offer our flexible, self-paced model to Ozark Community Health System employees who want to make higher education fit into their busy lives.”

WGU Missouri, the state affiliate of Western Governors University, is a nonprofit online university established by the state. WGU Missouri’s competency-based learning model allows students to learn at their own pace. Rather than spending time in classes with set schedules, students can move quickly through material they already know so they can focus on what they still need to learn. As a result, many students are able to accelerate their time to degree completion – with the average time to a bachelor’s degree less than three years.

Ozark Community Health System employees will also be eligible for the Healthcare Partners Fund, with scholarships of up to $2,500. Visit the website for more information on WGU Missouri, and details on the Ozark Community Health System partnership benefits.