Missouri hosts a large, high-quality education network with an exceptionally dense concentration of private colleges known for their innovation and smaller average class sizes. Students can also pursue online learning at many of the state's 27 public degree-granting institutions.
If you're looking into online colleges in Missouri, accreditation is an important place to start your research. This guide explains everything you need to know about accreditation as you launch your school selection process in the Show-Me State.
What Colleges Are Accredited in Missouri?
Online schools and colleges in Missouri can receive accreditation through a voluntary evaluation process. An independent agency reviews and evaluates the school to ensure its curricula and outcomes meet strict standards. Attending an accredited school ensures that employers will recognize your degree, and it is often required to qualify for federal and state financial aid programs.
Students who attend colleges without accreditation cannot receive federal loans or grants. Accredited schools also typically only accept credits from other institutions with accreditation. The following sections explore various types of accreditation and provide information about identifying an institution's accreditation status.
Institutional Accreditation
Institutional accreditation applies to entire colleges and universities. As a prospective student, you should consider it a mandatory feature of any school you're considering. Most accredited online colleges in Missouri are recognized by the Higher Learning Commission.
Programmatic Accreditation
This form of subject-specific accreditation applies only to select departments, subject areas, or degree programs.
Unlike institutional accreditation, subject-specific accreditation is usually optional. Departments and programs that have it usually meet especially high standards, or follow guidelines that align with industry best practices.
Top Accredited Online Colleges in Missouri
How to Know if Your School or Program is Accredited
Accredited colleges and universities generally feature accreditation information on their websites. Learners can confirm a school's accreditation status by searching databases from the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education.
The Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development also provides accreditation information about schools in the state.
The Impact of Accreditation When Transfering Credits
The credit transfer process is one of the most common ways accreditation can affect your college education.
For your existing credits to transfer to a new school, they must come from an institution that was accredited when you earned them. Otherwise, your new school will not recognize them and you will likely need to repeat those courses — costing you both time and money.
Accreditation Criteria for Licensing
While programmatic accreditation is usually optional, there are cases in which it's required. For instance, Missouri mandates that all professionals seeking initial licensure as psychologists must hold doctoral degrees accredited by the American Psychological Association. Similarly, you need at least an ABET-accredited bachelor's degree to qualify for an engineering license in Missouri.
If you're planning to enter a regulated profession, carefully research Missouri's licensing standards before choosing a school or program.
Choosing the Right Online College in Missouri
There are many online colleges in Missouri. The National Center for Education Statistics counts five that exclusively offer distance learning, while dozens of others offer certain programs in 100% online or hybrid formats that blend online and face-to-face learning.
To choose the right school, you need to consider multiple factors, including the following:
1 | Check Accreditation Status
Start researching online colleges in Missouri by confirming the accreditation status of any prospective school. Make sure the school's institutional accreditation is current and recognized by the Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
2 | Research Program Curricula and Concentration Options
Assuming you have a major in mind, you can research comparisons of the curricula and concentration options that apply to your degree. Curriculum features and available specializations, concentrations, or minors can strongly impact a program's relevance to your learning goals.
3 | Consider Program Flexibility
Online colleges in Missouri offer convenience, but some are more flexible than others. If you live near campus, blended learning might interest you. Next, determine whether your online courses use live (synchronous) or pre-recorded (asynchronous) lectures. Asynchronous formats offer more flexibility since they don't meet at set times.
4 | Examine Quality and Student Satisfaction Metrics
Retention, graduation, and post-graduation placement rates provide insight into school quality and student satisfaction. However, it's best not to consider these metrics in a vacuum. Instead, compare them among the schools on your shortlist.
5 | Learn About Costs and Financial Aid
Online colleges in Missouri generally offer a more affordable learning experience than campus-based enrollment. However, some have significantly higher costs than others. More expensive schools sometimes offer better value. For instance, employers may hold them in higher regard, boosting your chances of landing a job or securing higher pay after graduation.
Financial aid programs can also significantly reduce your costs. See how the schools on your shortlist stack up regarding the aid programs and amounts you may qualify for.