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Certification Courses

Certification options:

At Missouri Southern we offer several certification from our Aquatics program:

Lifeguard Certification

Registration Deadline: Complete

Course Dates/Times:
TBA

Pricing:

MSSU Employees/Students: $200
Community: $225

This class will cover the American Red Cross Lifeguarding skills for certification.

  • Enrollees will participate in:
    -blended-learning through both on-line (prior to class start date) and classroom instruction (land & water)
    -skills tests
    -written exams
  • This course is open to the community, so please feel free to share this information.
  • Prices include access to required text(s), resuscitation mask, and certification verification.
  • Enrollees must pass a pre-test to participate. Pre-test will be held the first day of class.
  • Participants must attend all classes.
  • If special accommodations are needed for this course, please call 417-625-9693 prior to registering.
  • Lunch & dinner breaks will be taken on Saturday.
  • Participants must be at least 15 years of age and able to pass the prerequisite swim tests which include:
  • A 300-yards non-stop swim (demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing) (no time limit)
  • Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs (hands must be placed in underarms)
  • Starting in water, swim our 20-yards; retrieve a 10-lb rubber brick from 7'-10'; swim back to starting point with both hands holding brick; place brick on deck; climb out of pool without using the ladder steps (1:45 time limit)

Water Safety Instructor

This course covers the American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor skills for certification. Successful completion of this course certifies the participant to teach swim lessons, Water Safety, Safety Training for Swim Coaches, and a host of other courses.

  • Enrollees will participate in:
    -classroom instruction (land & water)
    -skills tests -a written exam
    -practice teaching sessions.
  • Enrollees must pass a pre-test to participate. Pre-test will be held the first day of class.
  • Prices include required book(s) and certification cards.
  • Participants must attend all classes.
  • If special accommodations are needed, please call 417-625-9693 .
  • Lunch and dinner breaks will be taken on Saturday & Sunday.
  • Participants must be at least 16 years of age and able to pass the pre-requisite swim tests which include swimming the following strokes at a Level 4 of the Learn-to-Swim program:
  • Front Crawl - 25 yards
  • Back Crawl - 25 yards
  • Breaststroke - 25 yards
  • Elementary Backstroke - 25 yard
  • Sidestroke - 25 yards
  • Butterfly - 15 yards
  • Maintain position on back for 1-minute in deep water (floating or sculling)
  • Tread water for 1-minute

Registration Deadline:

No courses are scheduled at this time.

Course Dates/Times:

No courses are scheduled at this time.

Pricing:

MSSU Employees/Students & Military: $225

Community: $250

Lifeguard Instructor Certification

This class will cover the American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor skills for certification. Enrollees will participate in classroom instruction (land & water), skills tests, and written exams. Successful completion of this course certifies the participant to teach Lifeguarding, Aquatic Management, and CPR/AED/1st Aid for Professional Rescuers & Healthcare Providers, as well as a host of other courses. Price includes all required text(s), teaching tools, and certification cards.

Spring 2017

Prerequisites:

  • Be at least 17 years of age
  • Hold a current American Red Cross Lifeguard certification
  • Successfully complete the following swim tests:
  • A 300 yard swim using breaststroke & freestyle without stopping
  • tread water for 2 minutes without the use of hands
  • perform a timed brick retrieval
  • Successfully complete the Online Session for the Lifeguarding Instructor course, which consists of the following:
  • Orientation on the American Red Cross
  • Orientation to the Lifeguarding Instructor Course
  • Lifeguarding Instructor Pre-course Exam
  • Successfully perform multiple water rescue and CPR scen

*To be eligible for certification as a lifeguard instructor, you must attend all class sessions, demonstrate competency in all required skills and activities, and pass the final written exam with at least 80 percent.

Prices:

MSSU Student/Employee:  $450
Community Members:  $500

Certified Pool Operator

When: TBA

Where: MSSU Campus- Billingsly Student Center (Rm.314)

Instructor: TBA

For more information: 417-625-9693

 To register:  Registration for this course has passed. Please check back at a later date.

The CPO® certification program can be taken as a two-day class that covers 14-16 hours of information from the NSPF® Pool & Spa Operator™ Handbook and local codes taught by a certified NSPF® Instructor. This dynamic setting offers direct interaction with an instructor and fellow students. Pass the open book exam and earn CPO® certification.

Course Information

  • Participation in the two-day, class is required.
  • The CPO® certification program includes pool and spa chemistry, testing, treatment, filtration, maintenance, automatic feeding equipment, and government requirements.
  • The CPO® certification program requires an open book written examination.
  • The CPO® certification is valid for five years.

Course Benefits

  • Proven educational tool
  • Widely accepted by local and state authorities
  • Covers topics necessary for pool operators, including a section for local and state codes.
  • Comprehensive handbook that is updated regularly is included.
  • The CPO® certification is recognized nationally and internationally.
  • Participants gain a better understanding of the operator’s role in pool care, management and risk reduction.
  • The CPO® Certification program is now eligible for IACET Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

Registration Info

Cost:

  • $295 
  • $315 
  • $330 
  • 25% discount for all Missouri Southern employees/students 

Includes:

  • NSPF® Pool & Spa Operator™ Handbook
  • T-shirt
  • Exam
  • 5 year certification for successful candidates, a CPO® patch, and a CPO® wallet ID card