Welcome to Missouri Western State University!

With its roots in a five-county contiguous region of northwest Missouri, Western has proudly served the higher education needs of its constituencies since 1915. Originally founded as St. Joseph Junior College to provide a two-year liberal arts transfer program, Western was transformed into a four-year college in 1969 and became a full member of the State of Missouri system in 1977. Western received university designation effective August 28, 2005, and changed its name to Missouri Western State University. Today, over 190 faculty members teach in technologically up-to-date instructional facilities, and excellent recreational facilities are complemented by a beautifully landscaped campus.

Missouri Western State University is a four-year, state-supported institution providing a variety of degree programs through the colleges of liberal arts and professional studies. The university is authorized under Missouri statutes to offer master’s programs, four-year baccalaureate programs, two-year associate degrees, preprofessional transfer programs and one-year certificates. In addition, the University offers continuing education courses, seminars, conferences and workshops suited to the needs of the community and serving groups throughout the nation.

The institution is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Program accreditations include the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, American Bar Association, American Chemical Society, Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education, Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Council on Social Work Education, National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science, National Association of Schools of Music, and National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.