University of Missouri-Columbia

What is the history of University of Missouri-Columbia?

The University of Missouri-Columbia, commonly called Mizzou, was founded in 1839 as Missouri's first public university. Its development as a land-grant and research institution helps explain its present mix of undergraduate education, professional schools, agricultural programs and public-service work.

Missouri designated the university its land-grant institution under the Morrill Act in 1870. That role broadened its responsibilities in agriculture, engineering and education beyond the campus through what is now MU Extension. The School of Journalism opened in 1908 and became a defining part of the university's academic identity. When the University of Missouri System was established in 1963, the Columbia campus became one of its constituent universities; it remains distinct from the system's campuses in Kansas City, St. Louis and Rolla.

The Columns, remnants of the original Academic Hall after an 1892 fire, still stand on Francis Quadrangle. They are both a visible link to the university's early history and the setting for campus traditions.

What are the faculties and departments at University of Missouri-Columbia?

Mizzou is a large public research university with undergraduate majors, graduate degrees and professional programs across the humanities, sciences, business, health fields and more. Applicants should check the requirements of the particular college and major they want, rather than assuming that admission to the university settles entry into every program.

Its academic units include the College of Arts and Science; College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources; Trulaske College of Business; College of Education and Human Development; College of Engineering; College of Health Sciences; School of Journalism; Sinclair School of Nursing; and colleges of Law, Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. The Graduate School and Honors College serve students across disciplines. Examples of undergraduate paths include journalism, computer science, agricultural business, biological sciences, education and nursing.

Some fields have an additional selection process, prerequisite sequence, clinical placement requirement or professional licensing pathway. A student interested in nursing, engineering or teacher preparation, for example, should examine that program's current catalog requirements as well as the university's general degree rules. Mizzou's research activity can create opportunities to work with faculty, but access to a particular project depends on the department, preparation and available positions.

What is the location of University of Missouri-Columbia?

Mizzou's main campus is in Columbia, Missouri, a college city between Kansas City and St. Louis. The campus borders downtown Columbia, putting classrooms, student facilities, restaurants and community events relatively close together.

Columbia is not served by the extensive transit systems of a major metropolitan area. Students living farther from campus should consider their route, parking costs and the availability of local buses when comparing housing. First-year students may register a car, but permission to bring one is not the same as a convenient or free parking assignment. Columbia Regional Airport provides a nearby air-travel option; flight choices and ground transportation should be checked before making plans.

Prospective students should also distinguish the Columbia campus from other University of Missouri System institutions. Academic programs, housing, admissions rules and student services can differ by campus.

What is the mission and vision of University of Missouri-Columbia?

Mizzou describes its mission in terms of education, research, service and engagement. As Missouri's flagship public and land-grant university, it connects campus teaching and scholarship with responsibilities to communities across the state.

That purpose is reflected in professional education, research across disciplines and MU Extension's work beyond Columbia. The university's stated priorities also emphasize preparing students, generating knowledge and applying it to public needs. These are institutional aims, not guarantees about an individual student's experience. Applicants can evaluate how they translate into practice by looking at their intended department's courses, advising, research access and experiential-learning requirements.