Central Methodist University

Fayette has long been an area of education. The first school appeared in 1823 followed by the Fayette Academy in 1825.Howard College was approved by the Fayette community in 1835 but floundered after Fayette's bid to be the location of the University of Missouri was passed up in favor of Columbia for monetary reasons. After it was sold, the Howard College building was deeded to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South in 1847 by Capt. William Swinney. After the changing of hands, Howard High School was established and later evolved into both Howard Female College and Central College.

On April 13, 1853, Central College was founded by Nathan Scarritt and David Rice McAnally. The University was chartered on March 15, 1855, and the first classes were held September 18, 1857, with one building on one acre of ground, 144 students, and 3 faculty members.

Founded in 1854, Central Methodist University is a four-year, private, liberal arts university. CMU's main campus, home to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), is located in Fayette, Missouri, enrolling 1,100 students. More than 4,000 students attend CMU's College of Graduate and Extended Studies (CGES), which offers classes online and at sites across Missouri and the region. CMU is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and welcomes students of all faiths.Central Methodist University prepares students to make a difference in the world by emphasizing academic and professional excellence, ethical leadership, and social responsibility.

The Central Methodist University community, consistent with its United Methodist heritage, strives for academic excellence, individual achievement, and social responsibility.Civility is upholding the values of respect, kindness, and diplomacy in our direct and indirect interactions with others. Diversity is recognizing differences between people and perceiving these differences as an asset to the community.

Central Methodist University will be recognized and valued as an institution delivering distinctive academic programs of excellence, nested within a robust and supportive campus environment, preparing students for making a living and living a life.To ensure that educational experiences at CMU engender the ideals incorporated in the mission and vision statements, the faculty, administration, and trustees adopted new university wide learning principles and associated outcomes in Spring of 2016. Six of the nine outcomes will be used to assess the general education program.

Central Methodist University is known for its high quality undergraduate and graduate educational programs, its values-centered learning experiences and longstanding church relationship, its strong liberal arts tradition, its emphasis on character and leadership development, and the success of its graduates through their further educational and professional pursuits. Characterized by academic excellence and proactive, personalized student services, programs are offered in Fayette and statewide via distance learning technologies as well as through partnerships with schools, churches, hospitals, and other institutions of higher education.

We’re proud of our great academic and extracurricular programs. Our beautiful and historic main campus in Fayette is a special place to be. Yet our strength is our people – incredible faculty, helpful and knowledgeable staff, and visionary leadership. Our team is our greatest source of pride.

Whether you’re an on-campus student, taking classes at an off-campus location, or studying online, our undergraduate programs are done the right way. You won’t be taught by graduate assistants. In many programs, you will have opportunities to engage in your own research much sooner than at other schools.Count on quality. Count on being challenged. Count on a life-changing experience that will prepare you for a lifetime of success. Count on MORE from CMU.

Looking for a specific Graduate level course? Take the course you need from CMU. Submit the appropriate application for admission, and select non-degree seeking as your student-type. Students seeking MOREnet Workshop educational credits should fill out the Master of Education application.

Smiley Memorial Library has long endeavored to provide high quality educational support and to maintain an accessible, academically current collection of materials and electronic resources to meet the needs of the CMU students. The library strives to promote lifelong learning, information fluency, social responsibility and service, and to serve as a cultural and intellectual resource for the university and the surrounding community. We are a great source for music, movies, children’s books, newspapers, magazines and much more.

If you’re a student who works hard toward academic success, you deserve to be recognized. At CMU, we’ll reward your efforts through our scholarship opportunities. Academic Scholarships are granted to qualified incoming undergraduate CLAS students based on their academic record, GPA and ACT scores.

CMU provides a broad range of services and resources, all designed for a single purpose: to help you succeed at CMU. Our staff of experienced professionals is dedicated to providing quality, personalized service to help you reach your full potential as you achieve your academic and personal goals.

Our students engage in a uniquely active and relevant education with outstanding programs, excellent faculty, and professional learning experiences. This is a dynamic and comprehensive education that will challenge you, support you, and prepare you in every way.