ST. LOUIS, MO - Harris-Stowe State University, an Historically Black College and University, located in St. Louis is now able to offer graduate degrees for the first time in its 158-year history.

On Wednesday, July 15, Gov. Jay Nixon signed Senate Bill 334, which allows St. Louis only Historically Black College and University to offer a range of graduate degree programs as well as more undergraduate degree offering. The bill takes effect August 28, according to The St. Louis American.

"Allowing Harris-Stow to offer graduate degrees and expand its undergraduate degree offerings will create greater opportunities for students in the St. Louis region for generations to come," Nixon said.

"We believed that Gov. Nixon would sign into law the opportunity for Harris-Stowe to achieve parity with Missouri's other 12 state universities," Warmack said. "We've been hoping for this favorable outcome and will now begin the process to offer graduate programs as soon as feasible."

Nasheed said the bill just opens the door legally for the university to be approved for graduate degrees. University leaders still have to go before the state's Coordinating Board of Higher Education for authorization.

If approved by the board, Warmack said, "Attaining an advanced degree will be within reach for a greater number of students, particularly those underserved students seeking an affordable graduate school opportunity."

The university was just approved to offer four new baccalaureate programs. The new majors are Finance, Political Science, Sociology and Urban Ecology, which will begin effective fall 2015. The university was also approved to add 11 minors in the fall: International Relations; Law, Justice, and Society; Physical Science; Pre-Law; Public Policy and Administration; Science and Computation; Social Justice; Sociology; Urban Agriculture; Urban Politics; and Urban Sociology.

In addition, two new fully online programs will be launched in the fall: Health Care Management and Criminal Justice.

Harris-Stowe is currently only authorized to offer undergraduate degree programs with an emphasis on selected professional disciplines. It currently offers 14 degree programs in teacher education, business, and arts & sciences.

Today (July 16), Gov. Jay Nixon plans to visit Harris-Stowe for a ceremonial signing of Senate Bill 334.

The D.J's Music Site HBCU Campaign Fund organization would like to congratulate President Dr. Warmack and the Hornet Nation!

Harris-Stowe is also an HBCU Campaign 2015 HBCU Supported Institution and will be celebrated, honored and campaign for during the month of October.