Our Mission

Missouri Southern State University is a state-supported, comprehensive university offering programs leading to the bachelor's degree and to selective master's degrees in collaboration with other universities. The University has a statewide mission in international education granted to MSSU by special legislation.


The University's primary goal is to offer a baccalaureate program that fosters the total education of each student. Central to that mission is the strong commitment to international education, to the liberal arts, to professional and preprofessional programs, and to the complementary relationship that must exist between liberal and professional education in order to prepare individuals for success in careers and lifelong learning.


Inherent in its international approach to undergraduate education is the University's desire to prepare its students to understand world affairs, international issues and other cultures as seen through their history, geography, language, literature, philosophy, economics and politics. Knowledge and understanding of other cultures of the world also promote better understanding of our own valuable cultural diversity.


Missouri Southern State University's commitment to the liberal arts is reflected in a comprehensive program of general education requirements for all students to ensure that they have a breadth of educational experiences which will enable them to develop communication and critical thinking skills and to acquire and apply aesthetic, contemporary, civic, international, historical, mathematical, scientific and value-oriented perspectives.


The faculty and staff of Missouri Southern State University emphasize quality teaching and learning as the most important attributes of the institution, complemented by scholarly and creative expression and dedicated community service. Community service involves responsiveness to the Southwest Missouri region as well as serving as the intellectual, creative and cultural center of the area.


In order to remain loyal to the trust given to the University by the people of the State of Missouri, Missouri Southern State University will:


  • fulfill its mission and objectives in an honorable and ethical manner;
  • periodically review its mission in light of contemporary changes in society and in the needs of the people of Missouri;
  • continually assess the effectiveness of its programs in order to ensure their quality and integrity.

Return to President's Welcome

Updated July 19, 2005

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