Portfolio for HLC Accreditation > 1995 Site Visit Report > Introduction

Section I - Introduction

Missouri State University began as the Springfield Normal School in 1894 and was authorized as the Missouri State Normal School, Fourth District by the Missouri legislature on March 17, 1905. The name of the institution was changed to Southwest Missouri State Teachers College and it was authorized to grant degrees in 1919. In 1945, the state authorized the name change to Southwest Missouri State College. In August 1972 the Regents approved the name change to Missouri State University. Graduate classes were first offered in 1955 in cooperation with the University of Missouri-Columbia. In 1967, Missouri State University established its own master of arts and master of science degree programs. In 1976, the University was authorized to offer the specialist degree in educational administration. Missouri State University was first accredited by the North Central Association in 1915. In March 1986, the institution was granted continued accreditation.

In conducting the current evaluation the nine team members consulted with the President, Vice President-Academic Affairs, Vice President-Administrative Services, Vice President-Finance, Vice President-Student Affairs, and Vice President-University Advancement, Deans, Directors, Department 1-leads, Affirmative Action Officer, members of the Board, staff, members of the Faculty Senate, and other faculty. Open meetings were held with students, faculty, and staff.

The Self Study report was well written and readable. The team found it to be sometimes descriptive rather than uniformly evaluative. The concerns listed in the Self-Study did not always flow out of the narrative, but the team found that they did reflect a very thoughtful and realistic self-assessment.