Central Methodist University, or CMU, is a private liberal arts university located in Fayette, Missouri. Established in 1854, the university has been affiliated with the Methodist denomination from its earliest days. The university is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
| Overall Score (about) | 24.6 |
| Total Cost On-Campus Attendance | $6,760 |
| Admission Success rate | N/A |
| Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty | 76 : 1 |
| Retention (full-time / part-time) | 33% / N/A |
| Enrollment Total (all students) | 3,863 |
The College of Graduate and Extended Studies allows students across the state of Missouri to earn their associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s degree in a variety of fields. Extended campuses can be found at the following locations:
Classes at these campuses typically meet during afternoon or evening hours to accommodate working adults. The curricula vary by location, but all are designed for students who already have an associate’s degree or its equivalent. Professional and personal development courses are also taught at each of the extended campuses. These continuing education programs offer workplace skills or simply the pleasure of lifelong learning.
The university offers three graduate degree programs. The master’s degree is the highest award that the university confers. Each graduate program is available at select campus locations.
The Master of Education Degree is available at the Fayette, Union and Park Hills campuses. Students follow a 36 credit hour curriculum, but individuals tailor their coursework to meet their specific needs. Working adults can complete the program on a part-time basis. Teachers enroll in the program as a means to improve their pedagogical knowledge as well as move up the pay scale. Applicants must hold an appropriate bachelor’s degree and submit two letters of recommendation.
A partnership with Virtual Education Software Company brings computer-based instruction to students in the Master of Education program. Each computer-based module awards 2 or 3 credit hours upon completion. These courses can serve as a convenient means for educators to meet professional development requirements.
The Master of Science in Clinical Counseling prepares graduates to work in public or private counseling environments. Successful graduates will be Licensed Professional Counselors in the state of Missouri. This degree is offered at both the Park HIlls and Sedalia campuses.
The clinical counseling program includes 48 credit hours of coursework. Supervised field work constitutes 6 of these hours, while students dedicate 4 hours to their theses. A student taking classes full-time can expect to finish the program within 3 years.
The Master of Science in Nursing degree prepares students to become Clinical Nurse Leaders (CNL). The job of a CNL is to manage a team of nurses, stay current on nursing research and theory, and alter care plans should the need arise. The focus of the program is on the development of leadership skills and a scholarly approach to human health sciences.
The Master of Science in Nursing program is offered in Columbia, Rolla, and St. Louis – St. Anthony. Students can also complete the program entirely online.
Admission to any of the three graduate programs requires a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate field. Students must submit transcripts from all college work showing a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. The nursing program requires scores from the Graduate Record Exam, unless the applicant’s GPA is above 3.3.
Applicants to the clinical counseling program must undergo an FBI and state background check. The program also requires that students submit a short autobiography, two to three page statement of purpose, resume, and two reference letters. Aspiring clinical counseling students must sit for the Miller Analogies Test at the Park Hills campus.
Only 10-12 students are accepted into the Master of Science in Nursing program each semester. Applicants must hold a current Registered Nurse License in the state of Missouri. Students must ensure that their vaccinations and malpractice insurance policies are up to date.
All students, both undergraduates and graduates, must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. The priority filing deadline is in late winter. Early application is always better, as some funding sources have limited resources.
Graduate students do not qualify for state or federal grant programs. Any financial needs must be covered with loans. The federal government administers Stafford Loans, which accrue interest and must be repaid after the student leaves school. Eligibility for loans and annual loan limits are determined by the students class standing.
Students attending the College of Graduate and Extended Studies fall into one of two groups. On the one hand, undergraduates with an associate’s degree or its equivalent in credit hours take classes at the extended campuses. These students finish a program of study begun at another institution. On the other hand, those enrolled in one of the three graduate programs are already working in the field of their choice. These students often take classes only part-time, working them into a busy schedule when possible. The master’s degree allows these students to advance upward on the professional ladder.
Most of the extended campuses are situated in smaller communities. St. Louis is by far the largest city in which CMU has a presence. Rolla, Sedalia and Park Hills – all sites for graduate programs – each have populations of not more than 25,000. Only about 2,700 people reside in Fayette, home to the main campus.
At about 15 students for every faculty member, the level of individual attention offered is exceptional. Most of the faculty (97%) hold the highest degrees in their respective fields.
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