FAQ

Registration is simple and convenient.  All courses are hosted by Missouri State University - West Plains. Follow the directions and links provided on the Admission Information tab.

We have an impressive collection of master instructors and industry experts that teach our VESTA courses.  You can find a complete listing of our instructors by accessing the  Faculty page.

All VESTA students now register directly with Missouri State University - West Plains.  Once you have generated your Grizzly Den account, all future course registrations will be done through your student portal. Registration information can be found on the Registration Information page.

Your Home Institution is the institution that will grant your degree or certificate.  Currently, all VESTA online courses are hosted by Missouri State University - West Plains who will award your certificate or AAS degree. You are free to select a Home Institution from any of the listed VESTA partners that have the VESTA AAS or certificate options approved. Other VESTA partner institutions have on-ground or blended programs that might fit your needs.

The Host Institution is the institution that delivers a particular course.  All VESTA online courses are hosted by Missouri State University - West Plains.

All courses are hosted by Missouri State University - West Plains.  Students wishing to drop a course, must contact Missouri State University - West Plains, https://wp.missouristate.edu/DualCredit/how-to-drop-a-course-or-withdrawal-from.htm. Failure to make notice of withdrawal or a change in schedule will result in the assigning of a failing grade for the course.

Upon admission/registration for your class(es), you will pay your fees online through  My Grizzly Den or through the business office, (417) 255-7260.

Yes, your financial aid is applicable to your VESTA courses, however, you must be listed as either an AAS degree or Technical Certificate-seeking student.

For the 2024-2025 Academic year, VESTA courses are $240 per credit hour.  Some courses also have related lab fees. 

If you desire to be a degree seeking student, you will need to send official copies of all past transcripts to the Admissions office, Missouri State University - West Plains.

Official transcripts must be sent directly to the Missouri State-West Plains Office of Admissions by your previous schools.

Please contact the MSU-West Plains Help Desk - 417-255-7255.

Yes. Previous transcripts will be reviewed and where possible, courses that are applicable to your degree plan will be applied.

A Course Management System is a web based format that houses all of your course materials and links.  Brightspace, utilized by Missouri State University - West Plains is an example a of Course Management System.   Information regarding your login password and ID for  your Course Management System will be provided to you once your admission and registration is complete.

If your course is listed as "Asynchronous" it means that the course will not be conducted in real time. All conversations between the instructor, students, and fellow classmates will be done through discussion board postings, and emails. There is no time where you, your classmates and instructor communicate in real time.

If a meeting time for your course is listed in the  Class Schedule, this means there is a specific time your course will meet each week. These meetings are conducted through a program called Zoom. The instructor and your fellow classmates will log onto Zoom during the designated meeting time. During this time, the students and the instructor are able to hold discussions, ask questions, and interact in real time through the use of VoIP (Voice over IP).

A broadband Internet connection is required for VESTA courses.

Yes. All deadlines for enrollment are listed on the Admission Information page.

The class supplies and textbook list can be found on the Textbooks page of the website. This page also includes the cost and purchasing information for all of your needed materials.

A field practicum is the hands-on component that is included in VESTA courses. Students work with a mentor at a winery or vineyard of their choice for a specific number of hours during the semester to master required skills. The courses that require a field practicum are VIN 111, VIN 146, VIN 212, VIN 214, VIN 215, VIN 246, VIN 247, VIN 257, and VIN 259. Full practicum requirements for each course can be found on the  Field Practicum page.  Other VESTA courses utilize your field site in the completion of major class projects.

A list of VESTA partners who have served as field sites in the past is located on the  Practicum Sites page. If you do not see a field site that is close to where you live, you are welcome to ask any vineyard or winery in your area that meets the field site guidelines found on the  Field Practicum page. Once you locate a field site which agrees to provide you with a mentor, you will complete a Practicum Site Information sheet and return it to the VESTA office. Information will then be sent to you and your mentor with the appropriate forms and skills list.

If you reside in a VESTA Affiliated State, you are encouraged to contact your state coordinator for assistance.  Your state coordinator can be found on the Contact Us tab.

The most important thing to know is that every VESTA online course has an online course site to serve as your “virtual classroom.” Instead of face-to-face delivery, course information and materials are posted on the online course site for students to retrieve and view. Your instructor will guide you through the course via synchronous (real-time) web-based meetings, online course site announcements and discussions, and e-mail. Your role as an online student is to actively engage in all prescribed class activities and communicate with your instructor and fellow students. Expect to devote 7 to 10 hours each week for a VESTA online course.