University of Central Missouri

University of Central Missouri Summary

The University of Central Missouri (formerly Central Missouri State University) is a four-year public institution offering a diverse range of academic concentrations. The university houses and runs a NPR affiliate KTBG, at 90.9 FM (“The Bridge”), which features the NPR newsmagazines and other NPR shows such as Car Talk, with music consisting mostly of album oriented, adult alternative rock along with a blues show and World Cafe. The name was changed to Central Missouri State Teachers College in 1919, Central Missouri State College in 1946, and Central Missouri State University in 1971. In 2005, Missouri Governor Matt Blunt signed into law a provision authorizing Central Missouri State University to change its name, if so desired, to the University of Central Missouri. The University of Central Missouri continues to hold a very important role in the Great Internet Mersenne Prime Search. The Mules have been playing basketball since 1905, and are among the top five teams in all-time wins on the NCAA Division II level. The Mules have won three national titles: in 1937, 1938 (NAIA before the NCAA sponsored a Division II tournament), and 1984, when UCM was the first school ever to win NCAA men’s and women’s basketball championships in the same season. (The University of Connecticut would duplicate the feat in Division I in 2004.) The Mules are currently under the leadership of Head Coach Kim Anderson, a standout player in the late 1970’s at the University of Missouri under coach Norm Stewart. The Mules have a large number of current pro players, especially considering that UCM is a Division II school. In 2003 UCM had more players drafted into the MLB than any other Division I or Division II college.

Summary content courtesy of Wikipedia.

University of Central Missouri History

Central Missouri State University was founded in 1871 as a teacher’s college. It is classed as a Master’s College and University I by the Carnegie Institute. The average class size is 23.

University of Central Missouri Academics

Central Missouri State University has academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level. There are 4 academic colleges: the College of Business Administration, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Applied Sciences and Technology, the College of Education and Human Services.

Bachelor’s degrees are offered in a variety of fields within the various academic colleges. Degrees at the bachelor’s level can be received in such areas as accounting, agricultural technology, chemistry, communication disorders, general recreation, journalism, nursing, photography, Spanish, technology education, tourism, and theatre. Minors are offered in many of these fields, as well as in other specialties such as African studies, anthropology, clothing, creative writing, international studies, philosophy, religious studies, and security.

Graduate programs are offered in multiple fields and at several levels. These include master’s level programs in accountancy, business administration, counseling, English, industrial hygiene, library science and information technology, mathematics, rural family nursing, teaching, and theatre. Doctoral degrees are offered in two areas: an educational leadership doctorate with the University of Missouri, Columbia, and a technology management degree with Indiana State University. The Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree is offered through the College of Education in the following areas: administration, curriculum & instruction, guidance & counseling, learning resources, special education, and technology & occupational education.

Central provides 150 programs of study for associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or education specialist degrees. Also offered are 10 pre-professional programs and 27 areas of teacher certification. The Central Missouri business school is one of the oldest in the Midwest, and the honors program is the second oldest in that region. Central Missouri provides a Department of Academic Enrichment to amplify students’ academic success. The provide academic preparation services, credited coursework, and the federally funded Student Support Services Program and the McNair Scholars Program. Credited coursework includes College Success Strategies, Pre-Algebra Review, and Speed Reading.

University of Central Missouri Unique Programs

Central offers the state’s only undergraduate major in actuarial science. Particular coursework includes computing, microeconomics, discrete mathematics, and statistics. The program is offered through the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science.

The Central broadcasting and film program houses one of the country’s first all-digital, wide-screen production studios. The program is housed in the Department of Communication, which employs 21 faculty members and includes approximately 500 undergraduate majors studying speech, journalism, broadcast media, and public relations.

Central Missouri State’s International Center provides a central repository for cultural study and information in the region. In addition to public-access programs and community activities, the Center provides an international studies minor for students majoring in such fields as business or other internationally relevant disciplines.

University of Central Missouri Financial Aid

Over 80% of the University’s students qualify for some form of financial aid through federal, state, loan, or work-study programs. More than $4 million in institutional aid is awarded every year. For future freshman students, CMSU offers a number of scholarship opportunities, including merit-based awards, the CMSU Foundation Scholarship, awards for children of