McMurry - Dyess Air Force Base Program
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UCEA Award Winner
University Continuing Education Association
Division of Military Programs
Program of Excellence Award
1998
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History and Purpose A unique relationship exists between McMurry University, a four year liberal arts United Methodist affiliated accredited institution charted in 1921, and the military. McMurry is located on a 41 acre site on S. 14th Street and Sayles Boulevard and on Dyess Air Force Base Abilene, Texas, home of the 7th Bomb Wing of the Air Combat Command and the 317th Airlift Group of the Air Mobility Command of the United States Air Force. Since 1960 classes are offered on Base and on main campus with a mix of active duty military personnel, dependent spouses and college-age children, retirees, civil servants, and civilians working on Base as well as a traditional age and non-traditional campus student population. Offerings McMurry University offers over 40 major courses of study in the following areas. Arts and Science, School of Education, School of Business, and Abilene Intercollegiate School of Nursing. While many pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration almost exclusively through the Base offerings, the majority of students can be found studying in all areas and disciplines, for example, History, Sociology, Art, and Computer Science. McMurry has a variety of academic terms: Fall and Spring (16 week semesters) and on the Base, Mini I and Mini II terms - the first two months of the long semesters and the last eight weeks of them both; May Term; Dyess Summer; and Summer I and II on campus. As a convenience to the military, registration is held regularly on Base and the bookstore is present for limited times. The long and rewarding cooperation of McMurry - Dyess enables the faculty, administration, and staff to meet the demanding and ever changing needs of an active duty member. Students are encouraged to take advantage of all of the main campus facilities, offerings, and activities. Base courses typically represent those needed for the first couple of years of general education: math-science, the humanities, written and oral communication, social sciences, health and fitness (active military given credit for Basic Training), and foreign language. A language lab and a small science lab are located in the Base Education Center along with a computer lab which is a joint commitment with the Air Force. These courses also fulfill many academic requirements of the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) which is often how the military students begin their studies at McMurry. Close consultation with the counselors of the Base Education Center and the McMurry advisors ensure that the students are pursuing their academic studies in a proper and timely fashion. Admission Criteria Those seeking admission to McMurry University must complete an application form and provide official copies of all collegiate work. In some cases an official high school transcript may be required, particularly if the applicant has no prior college classes or has fewer than 24 semester hours. Those with an associate degree may not need the high school transcript. Prospective students aged 22 and older are not required to submit SAT or ACT test scores. The application fee is waived for active duty military and their dependents. Special circumstances regarding admission can be addressed to the Director. Tuition Assistance ProgramTuition for active military personnel enrolled under the Armed Forces Tuition Assistance Program will be as published in the Financial Information section of the current catalog. Each student eligible for and utilizing tuition assistance from any of the military branches must submit an Air Force Form 1227 or its equivalent form with each application for enrollment. Students needing to withdraw must follow published procedures and coordinate with the program office and the Base Education Center before any adjustments or refunds can be made. No refunds are made to students who are dismissed from the University through disciplinary action. Fees other than tuition are non-refundable. The University refunds all tuition costs actually paid by the individual upon receipt of orders for permanent change of station provided he or she is attending under the Air Force Tuition Assistance Program for that semester. ScholarshipWhile financial aid is available through traditional means, McMurry University is proud to offer the Abilene Area Active Duty Military Scholarship (aka, McMurry - Dyess Scholarship), which provides over 20% reduction in fees. Once classes are begun at McMurry, an overall 2.5 GPA minimum must be maintained each semester in order to continue eligibility. Dependent spouses and dependent college age children are also eligible for a scholarship (20%), but they must maintain a 2.0 GPA ( C) or better. Library Reference materials for the Base classes may be placed on reserve in the Dyess Library for use by students enrolled in the course. The campus library is available to military students, as are all the facilities. Servicemembers Opportunity CollegeMcMurry University has been designated as a Servicemembers Opportunity College (SOC) by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. This program has many advantages for active duty military and their dependents as it allows flexibility in acquiring credit toward a degree and is designed to fit the educational needs of the mobile non-traditional student. For those with at least 32 resident hours with McMurry, SOC is an option. LocationThe McMurry - Dyess AFB Program has two offices:
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