Central Methodist University

On-Campus and Online Degrees from CMU

Central Methodist University appears in our ranking of the 20 Best Online Bachelor’s in Computer Science. At 20 Missouri locations or online with BigBlueButton, Central Methodist University builds on a Biblical liberal arts core. It has 20 Missouri locations and online.  It has:

• eight associate programs
• 46 bachelor’s programs
• five master’s

For example, the A.S. in Occupational Therapy Assistant follows an 86-credit, 20-month Fayette sequence. It has 600 clinical hours and a 100 percent NBCOT exam pass rate. The 120-credit B.A. in Comparative Religion & Philosophy offers Theta Alpha Kappa membership with courses like Thanatology. The B.S. in Sociology has a 12:1 student/faculty ratio. It is a 120-credit curriculum from Park Hills and Sedalia to the internet. The online M.S. in Mathematics is a 32-credit program with a non-thesis option. Classes include Linear Algebra and Statistics. The 31-credit M.M.E. in Music Education blends weekly meetings and online lessons for K-12 teaching endorsement. Other offerings include:

• A.A. in English
• A.S. in Business
• B.S. in Athletic Training
• B.A. in Marine Biology
• B.A.S. in Computer Networking
• M.S. in Counseling.

About Central Methodist University

Central Methodist University originated in 1825 as Fayette Academy. It became Howard College in 1835 and the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1847. Six years later it became  Central College. During the 1920s, Central absorbed four other colleges. By 1961, the Methodist Board of Curators designated it Missouri’s official undergrad institution. Partnering with Mineral Area College, Central created its first distance bachelor’s program in 1989. In May 2004, the Central Methodist University name was adopted after the first Master of Education was added. Raising $16 million in 2017, CMU now serves over 5,100 students. It’s a nonprofit CIC member on the National Register of Historic Places. The U.S. News & World Report ranked Central Methodist University as the Midwest’s 24th best institution and 37th top value. Niche ranked CMU:

•  178th best kinesiology courses
• 186th best Christian education
• 191st top criminal justice program
• 198th best free application

Times Higher Education ranked Central Methodist in its top 600 total. College Factual ranked CMU:

• America’s 373rd best computer science
• 376th top allied health
• 239th best interdisciplinary studies
• 317th top theology school

Great Value Colleges featured CMU among the 50 most affordable picks west of the Mississippi River. College Choice ranked Central Methodist University’s Online B.S. in Accounting sixth nationally.  Washington Monthly  ranked CMU  53rd best bachelor’s-to-PhD rate and 100th most service hours. PayScale also recorded a median mid-career wage of $72,200 for Central Methodist.

Central Methodist University Accreditation Details

Central Methodist University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)   Several CMU programs are also accredited by the following:

• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
• Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
• Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)
• Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
• Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)

Central Methodist University Application Requirements

Admission to Central Methodist University is classified “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s since 850 of the 1,357 Fall 2017 applicants were successful. This is a 62 percent acceptance rate. The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences requires first-year students to complete a 15-unit college-prep secondary curriculum. Freshmen who’ve scored at least 2250 on the GED equivalent qualify, too. Prospective undergrads, including homeschoolers, must meet the 2.5 GPA, 1050 SAT, or 21 ACT mark. The Physical Therapist Assistant A.S. specifies a minimum 20 ACT English and 22 ACT Math score. Bachelor’s transfers must have attempted 12+ college credits with overall GPAs above 2.0. The Nursing RN-BSN program only considers nurses earning “C” or better in prerequisites like Microbiology and Anatomy. College of Graduate & Extended Studies entrants need 3.0 GPAs in all previous degree-seeking studies. The Master of Music Education seeks accredited BMEs or similar baccalaureates. Pursuing the M.S. in Counseling requires 18+ psychology credits and clean background checks. Central Methodist University generally has rolling admission, but deadlines vary by program. For instance, the Occupational Therapy Assistant A.S. only admits Spring cohorts from November 5th to December 5th yearly. The Accelerated MBA with Rockhurst has January 1st, March 1st, and May 15th cutoffs. Accelerated BSN candidates only have until December 1st, though. Before posted dates, submit the free Undergraduate or Graduate Application and DigitalU Contract online. Have official documents like transcripts mailed to 411 CMU Square in Fayette, MO 65248. Test scores are sent electronically with SAT code 6059 or ACT code 2270. Other checklist items include:

• 2-3 recommendations
• résumé
• one-page cover letter
• verification of English
• RN license if applicable

Please contact (660) 248-6251 or cges@centralmethodist.edu for more instructions.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Central Methodist University charges full-time undergrads $11,825 per term or $23,650 annually. Part-time Fayette study is $990 per credit. Mandatory fees equal $770 a year. Note the B.S. in Athletic Training has an extra $75 fee each semester. Living at the Howard County campus dorms  adds $1,885 to $2,385 for housing. Average meal plans cost $2,025. CMU suggests budgeting $1,000 for books and $5,280 for miscellaneous needs. Annual on-site bachelor’s attendance is roughly $37,780. Online undergrad programs, including the B.S. in Health Care Administration, are $250 per credit. The Accelerated BSN is more at $540 per credit. The College of Graduate & Extended Studies has master’s pricing of $250 to $380 each credit with $75 for MOREnet courses. According to the NCES College Navigator, the Office of Financial Assistance shares $16.03 million yearly for 99 percent of full-time CMU students. Median aid is $14,849. University funds include:

• Terry L. Loomis Scholarship
• Dick & Becky Curry Scholarship
• Frederick Loren Bloomfield Scholarship
• Susan & Gentry Estill Scholarship
• Ethel Van Scoyoc Humphrey Scholarship
• Harold L. Momberg Scholarship
• Holman Scholarship
• Mary Louise Perry Scholarship
• Norma Comer Bates Scholarship

The Fine Arts Department hosts the annual Central’s Got Talent Competition for two full-tuition awards worth $100,000. United Methodist Church members with minimum 2.5 GPAs get half-tuition discounts. Filing the FAFSA form coded 002453 by the February 1st priority date unlocks Federal Pell and FSEOG Grant money. Federal Work-Study jobs last 15 weeks per semester for $7.85/hour. Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans accrue maximum interest of 6.59 percent. Missourians also pursue:

• the Bright Flight Program
• Kids’ Chance Scholarship
• Marguerite Ross Barnett Scholarship
• Wartime Veteran’s Survivor Grant.

Learn more about the Christ-centered liberal arts academics at the Central Methodist University website.

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