Graduate College History
The Graduate College at Missouri State University was established to support the University's growing responsibilities as a center for higher learning and to provide an academic environment in which advanced research and creative activity can develop to the advantage of both the student and the state. Since the introduction of the first graduate program, the University's graduate programs have developed around strong undergraduate programs and departments in order to better meet the needs for professional competence beyond the academic measure of the baccalaureate degree. Missouri State University currently offers 47 graduate programs and enrolls approximately 3,000 graduate students each semester.
Graduate College Mission
The Graduate College mission is to be an advocate for graduate education and provide quality service to graduate programs, faculty, and students with the goal of developing individuals who have advanced abilities to address issues of significance for the quality of life.
Graduate College Role and Scope
The Graduate College acts to assure that post-baccalaureate education at Missouri State University has a high level of academic quality so that students are motivated and educated to be independent leaders in their professions and communities. To this end, the Graduate College fosters an instructional environment that enables excellence in teaching, research and creative activities, and encourages involvement with the community at large. These activities are central to a robust graduate education climate.
The Graduate College coordinates a diverse group of graduate programs that have in common the challenge to aid student progress toward a maturity of thought and discipline-related capabilities. The College functions to support both existing programs and the development of new programs in those disciplines congruent with the University themes and where the University has the vision to serve the needs of the public.
In fulfilling its mission, the Graduate College works in partnership with the six other colleges. Within each college there are academic departments offering graduate programs and have graduate faculty. The graduate faculty are committed to research, teaching, and service at the graduate level; they affirm the values of teaching and mentoring graduate students in the practice of their disciplines. A major aim of graduate education is to develop the resourcefulness and responsibility of individuals by enhancing their ability to handle effectively the materials and affairs of life, and to judge critically the value and limitation of information. The Graduate College assists students in making the best use of the University’s resources, in utilizing resources to engage in research and applying knowledge to the solution of problems, and in developing an environment in which critical thinking and problem-solving behaviors are nurtured.
Historical Data
Graduate Student Enrollment (PDF)
Number of Graduate Assistantships
Thesis Count by College (Excel)
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