The Missouri Innovation Campus

The MIC Program is rigorous and relevant, aligning with Missouri’s Strategic Initiative for Economic Growth in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, energy solutions, biosciences, health sciences and information technology.

Students learn from instructors who emphasize inquiry, teamwork, real-world problem solving and hands-on activities to build both technical and professional skills.

Starting the summer after their junior year of high school, students complete multiple internships where business partners can observe, mentor and evaluate their abilities in real workplace settings over two to three years.

Students begin the MIC Program in their junior year of high school, taking both high school graduation requirements and college-level courses. By the time they graduate from high school, they will earn an associate degree from Metropolitan Community College.

They then spend two additional years completing a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Missouri, reducing the typical four-year degree timeline by half.

This year-round, four-year program allows students who follow their plan to graduate two years sooner than traditional students.

Business partners gain access to a highly trained, career-ready talent pipeline with skills tailored to their specific industry needs.

Because students gain real-world experience through multiple internships, employers can:

• Assess student skills over time
• Help shape their workforce training
• Reduce hiring and training costs
• Evaluate potential hires before making a job offer

Business partners are essential to the MIC’s success. Companies can get involved by:

• Helping develop and review curriculum for their industry area
• Providing internships for MIC students

To learn more, contact Stan Elliott, MIC Director, at elliott@ucmo.edu or 660-543-8256.

Current programs include:

• IT Essentials / Systems Engineering Technology
• Digital Electronics / Engineering Technology / Design and Drafting
• Software Development / Computer Science

Each program includes an associate degree from MCC and a bachelor’s degree from UCM.

Additional STEM-focused programs will be added through collaboration with UCM, MCC, Lee’s Summit R-7 School District and business partners.

To be eligible, students must:

• Maintain 95% attendance and a 3.0 unweighted GPA
• Complete prerequisite coursework (see Summit Technology Academy website for details)
• Score into college-level courses on the ACT or COMPASS placement test
• Work with their high school counselor to submit a Summit Technology Academy application
• Complete an eligibility form, extended essay and student agreement

Once accepted, students must also apply for admission to Metropolitan Community College and the University of Central Missouri.

MIC Program students receive their associate degree tuition-free, but they are responsible for textbooks and instructional materials.

The program also helps students pursue bachelor’s degrees with little or no debt through:

• Paid internships
• Tuition forgiveness
• Grants and shared tuition programs
• Departmental and institutional scholarships
• Low-interest loan programs

For dual-credit courses outside MCC or UCM, students can be reimbursed at the MCC tuition rate with proof of grade and payment. However, if a student drops or fails a course, they must repay UCM for the cost of that course.

Transportation is the responsibility of the student or their school district. Students with transportation challenges should contact the Summit Technology Academy Director or the MIC Director for assistance.

The MIC Program internship coordinator organizes the interview process between students and business partners.

Students must secure an internship before their senior year of high school to remain in the program. Interviews typically take place before the summer following junior year.

Internships begin the summer after junior year of high school, starting with a paid, eight-week, 40-hour-per-week internship.

Students then continue internships each summer and two days per week during fall and spring semesters.

No, a job is not guaranteed. However, the on-the-job experience and relationships built during internships significantly improve students’ job prospects after graduation.