University of Missouri – Columbia

university of missouri columbia graduate programs

Degrees Available Through University of Missouri – Columbia

University of Missouri – Columbia appears in our ranking of 50 Great Value Colleges for Family and Consumer Sciences.

The University of Missouri – Columbia offers undergraduate and graduate degrees online and in a traditional classroom setting. Students can choose from nearly 100 majors in fields as diverse as accounting, family and consumer sciences education, ancient Mediterranean studies, clinical and diagnostic sciences, philosophy, history and many more.

All students attending the University of Missouri – Columbia must complete general undergraduate requirements for an undergraduate degree. Thee requirements include on math and reasoning course and one intensive writing course. Students must complete nine hours in biological, physical and/or mathematical sciences. They must complete nine hours in either behavioral or social science. They must also complete nine hours in humanities or fine arts. In addition, students must take and pass American History or Government and English Exposition and Argumentation.

Those students planning to pursue graduate degrees can choose between a master of science, a master of arts, a Ph.D., an MD, or a JD. The University of Missouri offers doctoral degrees in fields like agriculture, human environmental sciences, chemical engineering, genetics, biological sciences and many more.

Though most of the University of Missouri’s courses are available only through in-seat classrooms, students can attend the school online to earn a wide number of master degrees and graduate certificates. Education degrees are offered through the online campus as well.

About the University of Missouri – Columbia

The University of Missouri – Columbia is the flagship university of the UM System, which also has classes in St. Louis (UMSL) and Kansas City (UMKC). The system also runs Missouri S&T in Rolla, Missouri, which focuses on science and technology. The University of Missouri, also referred to as Mizzou or MU, is the largest of these schools with a student body of nearly 30,000 and an endowment of about $1 billion.

The University of Missouri was established in 1839, making it the first public university west of the Mississippi. It was originally a male-only campus. This led to the creation of two female-only schools in the small Missouri town: Stephens College and Christian College (now Columbia College). Columbia, Missouri earned the moniker of “College Town U.S.A” thanks to the vast number of students who descended upon the city, which eventually convinced MU to allow women to attend. The first female students were admitted in 1868.

Since those early days, Mizzou has established itself as a preeminent research university with world-renowned faculty and the nation’s first journalism school. The school has also excelled in athletics, with numerous championship appearances and titles across sports like football, basketball, wrestling, volleyball and track and field.

The University of Missouri boasts notable faculty members like Nobel laureate George Smith, American artist George Caleb Bingham and former astronaut Linda Godwin.

University of Missouri graduates include actors, politicians, business leaders and other individuals who have had world-wide influence. Some of these former students include Academy Award winner Chris Cooper, Grammy Award winner Sheryl Crow, playwright Tennessee Williams and acclaimed actors Don Hamm and Brad Pitt. The University of Missouri’s journalism school has graduated such notable names as Martin Frost, Major Garrett, Jay Greenberg, Russ Mitchell, Chuck Roberts, and Elizabeth Vargas, among others.

University of Missouri – Columbia Accreditation Details

The University of Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Its various schools are accredited by specific institutions that specialize in those areas. For a full list of accreditation details, prospective students should visit the University of Missouri website.

University of Missouri – Columbia Application Requirements

Incoming students can apply to Mizzou online. They must also provide copies of their official high school transcripts and college entrance test scores. Students who score above 24 on the ACT or 1160 on the SAT are eligible for admittance as long as they have at least 2.0 high school GPA. Students who score lower on their college entrance exams may be eligible for admission with outstanding academic achievement.

All incoming students, whether applying to the traditional campus or for online learning, must show proof of having completed four units of mathematics, four units of English, three units of social studies, two units of foreign language and one unit of fine arts while in high school. Of those high school courses, two of the English classes must be writing intensive, the two foreign language courses must be the same language taken in consecutive years and mathematics must be Algebra I or higher.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The cost of tuition for attending the University of Missouri – Columbia is approximately $12,000 per year for Missouri residents. Out-of-state students pay about $29,000 for two semesters of undergraduate study. The cost of housing is roughly $10,500 per year. Books, supplies and other fees may add up to about $6,000 or more. Mizzou does not charge a flat rate, therefore students who take more than 14 hours per semester will have a higher tuition fee.

Graduate tuition at the University of Missouri may vary, but it is roughly $8,000 per year for tuition only. Mizzou estimates that the full cost of attending the University for graduate education is about $27,000 per year for Missouri residents and about $40,000 for non-residents.

The University of Missouri – Columbia offers a wide number of grants and scholarships for first-time college students, graduate students, transfer students, and international visitors. First-time college students may earn the Mizzou Scholars Award, which pays $10,000 per year that can be used toward tuition and living expenses. This award is merit-based and is automatically given at admission for students who score over 33 on the ACT. Other merit-based scholarships are offered based on college entrance exam scores, applications, and essays.

Grants are available to students who display need. These students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to learn how much grant money may be awarded. Students must also complete the FAFSA to be eligible for work study, certain scholarships, and any needed student loans.

To learn more about the University of Missouri – Columbia, visit the school’s website.