University of Missouri - St. Louis

Through to 2021, the National Security Agency (NSA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have designated a special focus area of Security Policy Development and Compliance to UMSL. UMSL has also been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE), which was also granted by the NSA and DHS.

“This focus area specialization demonstrates the academic rigor of our cybersecurity program,” Assistant Professor of Information Systems Maurice Dawson said. “There are many cyber programs here in the St. Louis metropolitan region, but no one else has received the CAE designation. UMSL has gone a step beyond and achieved a focus area specialization. Within just three years of creating the program, UMSL has established itself as a premier institution for cyber education in the Midwest region.”

Focus area specializations are only available to centers of academic excellence, and UMSL is the only institution within Missouri and all of its eight neighboring states to hold any of the 17 available focus areas. Students have a selection of undergraduate and postgraduate certificates as well as an undergraduate minor in cybersecurity. The university has also added two new degree programs, a bachelor’s and master’s degree in cybersecurity.

UMSL’s cybersecurity program is a multidisciplinary effort between the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Information Systems in the College of Business Administration. This collaborative approach allows students to explore the many avenues of information security and adapt to the evolving nature of the field.

UMSL is renowned for its specialist courses and teaching. Some notable examples include:

• The UMSL College of Business Administration is accredited by the Association to Advance College Schools of Business (AACSB) in Business and Accounting – the highest accreditation a business school can receive.
• U.S. News and World Report has consistently ranked UMSL’s doctoral program in Criminology and Criminal Justice among the best in the nation.
• UMSL’s undergraduate International Business program has been ranked in the top 25 nationally by U.S. News and World Report for 15 consecutive years.
• U.S. News and World Report counts UMSL among the best undergraduate Engineering Programs at schools where an Engineering doctorate is not offered.
• UMSL’s Whitney Harris World Ecology Center is the nation’s largest and most diverse program in biology conservation.
• UMSL is designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by the National Security Agency/Department of Homeland Security.

UMSL is made up of eight colleges and departments.

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

CAS is the academic core of the university and offers 31 baccalaureate, 16 master’s, and seven doctoral degrees through 18 departments in the humanities, social sciences, mathematics, and the sciences.

College of Business Administration

The college is accredited by the world's premier business school accrediting organization - the AACSB – in both business and accounting. Less than 2% of business schools worldwide have achieved this dual accreditation.

College of Education

The College of Education is an education innovation hub and one of the state of Missouri's larger colleges in the field. It works to create a dynamic relationship between practitioners, researchers, and education innovators.

College of Nursing

The UMSL College of Nursing prepares nurses as clinicians, scientists and educators, and facilitates professional advancement through its innovative programs.

College of Optometry

The College of Optometry administers the only professional training program for optometrists in Missouri and is a member of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO).

School of Fine and Performing Arts

The school’s internationally recognized faculty provides transformational learning experiences in classrooms, studios and galleries.

School of Social Work

The school has a diverse and dynamic faculty comprised of experts in child welfare, aging, economic development, health policy, mental health, and community development. It provides an educational experience that prepares students for work across various social service sectors.

Pierre Laclede Honors College

The Honors College is a writing intensive program open to undergraduates in all majors and includes discussion-based courses that satisfy general education requirements, an internship or independent study requirement, mentorship through a first-year experience program, and other select topic courses.

There are a number of entry requirements which apply to all courses. International students will need to submit a specific application form – both undergraduate and postgraduate studies – and pay a USD 40 application fee.

Undergraduate students

Undergraduate applicants will be required to submit the following:

English proficiency

Prospective students must submit proof of English proficiency. The minimum requirements are 61 TOEFL, 5.5 IELTS, or 44 PTE-A.

Official transcripts

• Students in their last year of high school should submit transcripts for their studies. Students who have completed high school must submit final transcripts and degree certificates or exam results.
• Students who have studied at a college or university must submit university transcripts to date.
• Transcripts are required from all high schools or universities that a student has attended.

Entry to 2 + 3 Programs

2+3 programs allow students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in a shorter amount of time. Students start out in a bachelor’s degree program and then apply for admission to the 2+3 once they have reached “junior-level” courses in their major with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Postgraduate students

Postgraduate applicants must apply with the below documents:

English proficiency

The minimum requirements for the proof of English language proficiency vary by department. It is recommended that students score at least a 79 TOEFL, 6.5 IELTS, or 53 PTE-A.

Official transcripts

• Students in their final year of a bachelor's program should submit transcripts for all semesters completed thus far.
• Students who have already completed a degree must submit final transcripts and degree certificates.
• Transcripts are required from all universities attended.

Most postgraduate programs ask for additional materials, including letters of recommendation, writing samples and GRE or GMAT scores.

Graduate Certificate Programs can only be completed during the course of a regular master’s or doctoral degree program.

There are a number of merit-based scholarships available.

Undergraduate scholarships

All international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree are automatically considered for competitive scholarships, with awards ranging up to USD 10,000 per year.

Honors College Merit Scholarships

Offered in addition to any other scholarships, the Honors College Merit Scholarship can be awarded to any Honors College Student and are renewable each year.

Postgraduate Assistantships

Most departments with established postgraduate programs offer teaching and research assistantships to qualified degree-seeking postgraduate students who are in good academic standing. Appointments are usually half-time and carry stipends.

Postgraduate fellowships

Master’s Recruitment fellowships are awarded by the Postgraduate School to attract the best and most specialized students to UMSL, the fellowship is a one-off award of up to USD 2000, and one is made every academic year.

Postgraduate School Dissertation Fellowships are offered to help students complete their dissertation, a stipend is available of up to USD 15,000 for a single academic year.

The Whitney R. Harris World Ecology Center offers two fellowships to biology postgraduates, offering a fully funded master’s or Ph.D fellowship in animal or plant conservation.

Postgraduate Scholarships

In addition to assistantship opportunities, degree-seeking postgraduate applicants are automatically reviewed for a limited number of international student scholarships. A separate application form is not required.

The campus community at UMSL is vibrant and sociable, with a variety of academic and social opportunities in dedicated facilities, including technology laboratories, a Recreation and Wellness Center, computer labs, on campus housing and the acclaimed Touhill Performing Arts Center.

Cybersecurity & Information Technology Innovation Lab (CITIL) and Information Systems (IS) Laboratory

These state-of-the-art laboratories provide students with access to contemporary technology and tools, so they can learn the technical and wider business context of cybersecurity and information systems.

Recreation and Wellness Center

The base for UMSL Campus Recreation, its focus is on promoting health, wellness, recreation, and fun.

Science Learning Building

Featuring 18 high-tech labs, students can undertake research projects in a challenging and collaborative environment.

Office of Student Involvement

It coordinates and programs the organizations which enrich campus life. Be it student run organizations, leadership programs or campus events, it is at the center of student life on campus.

University Libraries

More than just a repository of books, the library service includes research consultations, a computer lab and access to online databases to help students maximise their studies.

Residential Life & Housing

There are a number of on-campus living options for all student needs, including accommodation for first-time freshmen to graduate students who have families. They are affordable options, located close to campus and with extensive facilities on-site and live-in staff on hand to help.