Study Overseas

Located in the central United States, Missouri extends a rich diversity in landscape, climate, culture, people - and educational opportunities. The 'Show Me' State blends big-city excitement with small town charm and hospitality.

Studying in Missouri

Missouri has one of the largest system of higher education in the United States, with an array of postsecondary schools, colleges and universities in both rural and urban settings. The University of Missouri system, with campuses in Columbia, Kansas City, Rolla and St Louis, is a public doctoral degree-granting research university. The nine other public four-year colleges and universities include both baccalaureate and master's-level institutions. The state's 11 public two-year community colleges and 1 public two-year technical college work with area vocational technical schools and four-year institutions to provide a state-wide system of technical education and training.

Among Missouri's 26 independent colleges and universities are three doctoral universities: Saint Louis University, Washington University and Webster University. Scattered geographically throughout the state, the 23 other independent colleges and universities are as diverse as their locales, from Cottey College (a two-year women's college sponsored by the P.E.O. Sisterhood) to Southwest Baptist University (a senior liberal arts university affiliated with the Baptist church). More than 120 proprietary schools and a number of theological and technical/professional schools present even more educational opportunities.

Collectively, these institutions enrol more than 325,000 students, nearly 8,000 (2.7%) of which are international students originating from countries such as Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom, Korea, Mexico and India. The many colleges and universities in Missouri strive to make international students feel welcome on their campuses, and foster international education through international student clubs, special events and exchange programs. In fact, two institutions - Missouri Southern State College and Webster University - have missions focusing on international education.

Missouri colleges and universities offer academic programs ranging from diplomas and certificates in hotel/restaurant management to baccalaureate and master's degree programs in computer science and international business administration, to doctoral and professional programs in medicine and international law. From our nationally recognised engineering school at the University of Missouri-Rolla to the sophisticated medical research at Washington University, Westminster College, and William Jewell College are acclaimed for their quality and low cost. Both Northwest Missouri State University and the University of Missouri-Rolla have won the Missouri Quality Award in recent years as well as two students, from the University of Missouri-Columbia and Saint Louis University, who were named Rhodes scholars. These are just a few examples of the recognition Missouri colleges, universities and students have received for their quality education.

Nearly every Missouri college and university is linked to the World Wide Web, and some deliver courses or complete degree programs via the Internet. More than 40 colleges and universities have agreed to combine their academic libraries, allowing electronic access to a collection of more than 13 million library volumes.

Brad Pitt (actor), Sheryl Crow (singer), Paula Zahn (CBS News), Frederick Robbins (Nobel Prize winner), Sam Walton (Wal-Mart founder), Walt Disney (Disney theme parks founder), Linda Godwin (NASA astronaut), and Tennessee Williams (playwright) are among the distinguished people who have attended college in Missouri.
For more information on postsecondary education in Missouri, visit our web site (www.dhe.mo.gov ). It includes a list of academic programs offered in Missouri, direct links to the web sites of Missouri colleges and universities, and more!

Having Fun in Missouri!

Missouri is known for outdoor recreation at its scenic state parks and waterways, providing an assortment of activities including swimming, fishing, skiing, parasailing, canoeing, and camping. Underground caves and caverns pose an exciting adventure to many. Others enjoy hiking and biking on the Katy Trail, a state park consisting of 200 miles of former railroad corridor from Sedalia to St Louis, with breathtaking scenery, restaurants, bike ships, campgrounds and more along the way!

In addition to more than 20 Missouri colleges and universities, Missouri's two major metropolitan areas - Kansas City and St Louis - offer a wealth of entertainment and cultural attractions. Sports enthusiasts enjoy watching professional football, baseball, soccer and hockey in these two cities. The whole world watched as Mark McGwire of the St Louis Cardinals made baseball history when he broke the homerun record in 1998. The Cardinals were once again the center of baseball history as they won the World Series in 2006.  Other Kansas City attractions include Country Club Plaza, Crown Centre, Hallmark Visitors Centre, Sprint IMAX Theatre, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the Kansas City Symphony, and the Starlight Theatre. St Louis destinations include the Gateway Arch, Hard Rock Café, Planet Hollywood, the Missouri Botanical Garden, the St Louis Science Centre, Fox Theatre, and The Muny, America's oldest and largest outdoor musical theatre.
Home of College of the Ozarks, Branson is known as America's live entertainment capital for its country music theatres. Although it has a population of only 6,000 residents, Branson welcomes 5.8 million visitors each year!

Missouri offers a variety of shopping excursions too - from America's first shopping centre (Country Club Plaza in Kansas City) to Union Station in St Louis, to factory-outlet and antique malls, to the world-famous Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Springfield. Other attractions located throughout the state include bed-and-breakfast inns, award-winning wineries and breweries, theme parks, championship golf courses, zoos, riverboat casinos, festivals, art exhibits, community theatres and historical sites.

There's a lot to see and do - and learn - in Missouri!

Author
Cheryl Kesel
Missouri Department of Higher Education