Universities

Southeast Missouri State University

Southeast Missouri State University Southeast Missouri State University is a comprehensive university with more than 150 programs from which to choose -- from the programs most in demand to the unique and unusual. One of the hallmarks of Southeast is the fact that 100 percent of majors offer experiential learning opportunities and about 96 percent of students take advantage of these opportunities.

Students can choose to study in one of the university's nine colleges and schools including Donald L. Harrison College of Business, College of Education, College of Health and Human Services, College of Liberal Arts, College of Science and Mathematics and School of Polytechnic Studies.

More than 1,600 undergraduate courses are available as well as extensive graduate programs. In addition to full accreditation by the North Central Association, Southeast holds many elite national and international program accreditations, which means these programs have met rigorous standards.

In 2005, Southeast became one of fewer than 20 U.S. institutions with national accreditation of all five mass communication areas in which Southeast is accredited.  The only other Missouri institution to hold this elite accreditation is the University of Missouri-Columbia. 

In addition, The Donald L. Harrison College of Business is one of America's "143 Best Business Schools" according to a 2004 Princeton Review publication, placing Southeast in the top 5 percent nationwide. 

Powerful international accreditation by AACSB international places it among the top 20 percent of business programs in the country to be accredited.  With nearly 10,000 students, Southeast is an ideal size for students to take advantage of both academic pursuits and extracurricular opportunities. Students from all over the United States and from countries around the world add to the unique Southeast experience.

With approximately 400 faculty members, the university is large enough to provide a variety of academic programs. At the same time, it is small enough that students get to know each other and the faculty on a personal basis. More than 95 percent of courses are taught by dedicated, full-time faculty who bring the wealth of their experiences and research to the classroom. Faculty members have degrees from Yale and Princeton and Dartmouth and Harvard -- to name a few. Technology is another hallmark of Southeast.

The university is home to more than 35 miles of fiber optic cable, more than 3,000 networked computers and email accounts for every student. The university is nationally recognized and accredited for its teacher education program.  The program is strongly field-based with a commitment to place students in area classrooms beginning in the freshman year.

Southeast's education program is the nation's only two-time winner of the prestigious Christa McAuliffe Award. Science and pre-med programs excel at Southeast. Over the past decades students have consistently been admitted to medical schools at a rate that exceeds the national average. And with recent national accreditation, Southeast engineering physics graduates are now eligible to become registered professional engineers.

The School of Polytechnic Studies is recognized in Missouri as a center for excellence in advanced manufacturing technology and coordinates delivery of high-tech education and specialized training to the region. The school is housed in the new state-of-the-art Otto and Della Seabaugh Polytechnic Building, which opened in 2001.

Unique to Southeast is the Historic Preservation program. One of only a few in the country, this program attracts top students from throughout the United States. When the new River Campus opens sometime in 2007, Southeast will become Missouri's only institution with a campus dedicated to the disciplines of art, music, theater and dance.

An important feature of life on the Southeast Missouri State University campus is sports. Southeast earned NCAA Division I status in the Ohio Valley Conference in August 1991.

The Show Me Center, a 7,000-seat multi-purpose arena, is the home to Southeast's basketball teams. Rodeos, concerts, dramas and other community events are also held at the facility.

Houck Stadium is home to both the football team and the women's soccer team. Gymnastic and volleyball events are held at the adjacent Houck Field House.

The Abe Stuber Track and Field Complex hosts a variety of events. Softball games are played at the Southeast Softball Complex and baseball games are played at Capaha Park.

Southeast has more than 150 different student organizations including national fraternities and sororities. From Student Government to the Chemistry Club, from intramural soccer to the Golden Eagles Marching Band, Southeast students enjoy the traditional college experience.

The university was founded in 1873. Dr. Kenneth Dobbins is the university's 17th president.

The phone number to the Admissions Office is 573-651-2590. The university's general number is 651-2000.

William Woods University

Founded in 1870, William Woods University expanded its mission in 1992 to address the need for adult-oriented undergraduate and graduate programs in Missouri.

While career advancement now demands constant learning, many professionals find that traditional classroom education is a poor fit for their unpredictable schedules that can already include long hours, work-related travel, and personal responsibilities. William Woods University designed its programs to help adult learners overcome these challenges.

Today WWU serves approximately 3,000 students in a variety of degree programs at convenient locations in more than 100 Missouri communities, including Cape Girardeau, with permanent facilities in Columbia, Jefferson City and Fulton.

Graduate and Adult Studies (G&AS) programs at William Woods are offered at night and on Saturday mornings, making it possible to pursue a degree while remaining employed full time.

Utilizing a model of accelerated learning, programs are structured so that a degree can be completed in 18-22 months. A signature characteristic of the WWU experience is the interactive learning process of the study group through which students share their varied experiences.

"With the teamwork approach of using study groups and projects within the cohort model, students can draw on a greater pool of ideas, and they have the opportunity to learn quickly that the effectiveness of one person can be greatly enhanced by utilizing the other members of the group," said Sherry McCarthy, WWU vice president and academic dean.

Because of the nature of programming--focusing effort on one course at a time--90 percent of all students finish their program successfully. Each course normally runs six weeks.

"William Woods University is a leader when it comes to designing quality programs for nontraditional adult students. Everything we do here at WWU in our Graduate and Adult Studies program is specifically designed to help adults succeed in reaching their goals as efficiently as possible," said McCarthy.

G&AS programs include an associate of arts degree in liberal studies, the ACCESS program of general education, a bachelor of science in computer and information management, a bachelor of science in management (BSM), a BSM with human resources emphasis, a bachelor of science in marketing, a bachelor of science in paralegal studies and a new bachelor of social work.

Graduate degrees include a master of business administration (MBA), an MBA with accounting emphasis, an MBA with health management emphasis, an MBA with human resources emphasis, a master of education (M.Ed.) in administration, curriculum/instruction and athletics/activities administration and an educational specialist in administration and in instructional leadership.

Higher education has never been more essential to career success. Earning power and advancement are ever more closely tied to an individual's education level and demonstrable knowledge. The rapid pace of change makes continuous learning essential to staying at the forefront of any industry.

According to the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics, 90 million adults took some type of course in 2002 and approximately 80 percent of adults ages 25-64 who are enrolled in college are also employed.

Adult education programs have become increasingly popular as an ever-growing number of working adults seek to attain professional and personal growth. William Woods University has noted this trend and responded by making classes convenient, flexible and worker-friendly.

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, William Woods is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

More information is available at www.williamwoods.edu or by calling (800) 995-3159 for on-campus programs or (800) 995-3199 for G&AS programs.

Shawnee Community College

Shawnee Community College was organized as a Class I community college in September 1967. Created to serve Southern Illinois and its people, the college district covers all of Alexander, Massac, Pulaski, Union and parts of Johnson and Jackson counties.

The campus of Shawnee Community College is centrally located within the college district on Shawnee College Road, approximately seven miles east of Interstate 57 near Ullin, Ill.

Today, SCC serves approximately 7,200 students annually, offering a variety of associate degrees as well as vocational programs such as automotive, cosmetology, computer system technician, electronics, massage therapy, medical office assistant, occupational therapy assistant, practical nursing, truck driving and more.

Recently visited by North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, SCC was accredited for another 10 years. With a faculty-student ratio of 16-1, the class size is ideal for students looking for one-on-one attention.

For more information, call 800-481-2242 or visit Shawnee Community College online at www.shawneecc.edu.

Three Rivers Community College

Three Rivers Community College, a comprehensive, public, two-year college, provides affordable freshman and sophomore level college courses and career and technical training at locations throughout Southeast Missouri.

The college's philosophy is that higher education opportunities should be accessible and available regardless of economic, social, motivational, physical or geographical barriers. The college's open admissions policy means only a high school diploma or GED is required for admission.

TRCC's tuition is one of the lowest in the state, and the school is active in developing and helping students apply for financial aid. TRCC is the region's only A+ eligible institution. A new FACTS Tuition Management System allows students to pay for college expenses with a monthly payment plan.

For the convenience of its students, Three Rivers offers day and evening classes, Web-based courses and fast-track and weekend courses. Off-campus courses are offered at more than 30 locations in Southeast Missouri, including six new off-campus centers in Sikeston, Kennett, Malden, Campbell, Portageville and Bernie. Some classes are offered outside those centers in such locations as Scott City as the need arises.

TRCC offers associate degrees and associate of applied science degrees in a variety of academic and technical/career areas and transfer programs for those headed to a four-year college or university. TRCC also offers a variety of non-credit and continuing education courses, dual credit and dual enrollment courses for high school students and customized training classes to meet the needs of the region's businesses and industries.

TRCC has a positive impact on the economy by providing skilled, educated graduates who can enter into the area's workforce.

TRCC has grown tremendously since citizens from Butler, Carter, Ripley and Wayne counties voted to create the Three Rivers Junior College District in 1966. In its first year, TRCC attracted 138 students to its storefront location in downtown Poplar Bluff. The college moved to its present 80-acre campus in 1977. It now provides education to more than 3,200 students.

The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. A number of programs get further accreditation or approval by other external agencies, as well.