
Drury University's College of Continuing Professional Studies is part of Drury University in Springfield, Missouri. It serves students pursuing an undergraduate education outside the university's traditional residential-college model; it is not a separate university.
Drury was founded in 1873 as Drury College and adopted the name Drury University in 2000. Its continuing-education division reflects a later expansion of the university's work to include adults, transfer students, and others who need different routes to a degree. Because division names and program arrangements can change, applicants should use the name on the current application and academic catalog when identifying their intended program.
The College of Continuing Professional Studies offers undergraduate study within Drury University, rather than operating as a collection of separately accredited faculties. Its academic options have included liberal arts and general studies alongside career-oriented fields such as business, criminal justice, human services, psychology, and education-related study.
Prospective students should distinguish a major from a professional credential. For example, a degree related to education or health does not, by its name alone, establish eligibility for a teaching or health-care license. The current catalog is the place to check available majors, degree requirements, course formats, and whether a program leads to a particular credential. Applicants who need evening, online, or location-specific courses should also confirm that the required courses - not just introductory classes - are offered in a workable format.
The division is associated with Drury University in Springfield, Missouri. Springfield is a regional employment and education center, making commuting and combining school with work relevant considerations for many continuing-studies students.
Drury's main campus is in Springfield, but a university address does not mean every continuing-studies course or service meets there. Course locations and online availability can vary by program and term. Students planning a commute should check the location of required classes, parking arrangements, and the hours of any in-person advising or support they expect to use before enrolling.
Drury presents its educational purpose as combining liberal learning with professional preparation and engaged citizenship. For the College of Continuing Professional Studies, that purpose is expressed through undergraduate pathways intended to accommodate students with varied educational and work histories.
Those are the university's stated priorities, not measured outcomes for every student. A useful way to assess how they apply to a particular degree is to examine its general-education requirements, major courses, experiential-learning options, and schedule. Drury has historical roots in the Congregationalist tradition; applicants should consult current university policies rather than assume that its founding affiliation imposes a religious requirement on students.
Name of the institution
Drury University-College of Continuing Professional StudiesLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
City: MidsizeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, not primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
Under 1,000Religious affiliation
Protestant (Christian Church, Disciples of Christ)School type
UniversityMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1873Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Certificate of less than 1 year
Certificate of at least 1 year, but less than 2 years
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degreeData last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.