Southwest Missouri State University
Springfield, MO 65904
http://www.smsu.edu/grad/
Southwest Missouri State University, located in Springfield, Missouri, was founded in 1905 and has been offering graduate degrees since 1967. The major focus of the Graduate College is at the masters level, currently offering 41 masters degree programs in a variety of disciplines. In keeping with the institution’s commitment to teacher education, the university also offers a specialist degree program in Educational Administration and a doctoral program in Educational Leadership is offered in cooperation with the University of Missouri in Columbia.
The University’s identity is distinguished by its statewide mission in public affairs, a campus-wide commitment to foster competence and responsibility in the common vocation of citizenship. In addition to public affairs, the University commits itself to excellence in five focused theme areas including professional education, health, business and economic development, creative arts, and science and the environment. A number of different graduate programs are available within each of these areas of emphasis.
Southwest Missouri State University is dedicated to the creation of a multicultural environment, promoting diversity among its students, faculty and staff. Minority students are strongly encouraged to apply for any available graduate assistantships, which include teaching, research, and administrative opportunities. Most assistantships include a tuition waiver and the stipend ranges from $6,150 to $8,200. SMSU currently has well over 400 graduate assistants employed in various academic departments and administrative offices.
Southwest Missouri State University is a multi-campus system offering programs in Springfield, Mountain Grove, and West Plains, as well as two graduate programs via the Internet (Computer Information Systems and Administrative Studies) and other distance learning opportunities. While all of these offer some graduate work, the main campus in Springfield is the center of graduate education. Over 3,000 students are currently engaging in graduate study at SMSU, compromising 17.6% of the university’s student body, including a sizable population of international students from over fifty foreign countries.