School Overview

Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) is a public, liberal arts
university located in rural Cape Girardeau, Missouri. SEMO offers
degrees on the bachelors, masters, and Ed.D. levels in over 200
programs. It was founded as the Southeast Missouri State Normal School
in 1873 and was renamed the Southeast Missouri State University in
1973. Attendance as of Fall 2013 was at 11,367. SEMO has four regional
campuses in Kennett, Malden, Sikeston, and Poplar Bluff, as well as the
Perryville Higher Education Center and the Cape Girardeau Partnership
for Higher Education.
Admissions Information
There is a $25 application fee. Approximately 97% of
students who apply are admitted, and 72% return for their Sophomore
year. For first year freshmen, students should aim to have scores of 21 or higher
on their ACT and 980 or higher on their SAT, with a high school cumulative GPA no
lower than 2.00. Incoming freshmen are expected to have the following:
four units of English, three of math, three of social studies, three of
science, one visual or performing arts, and three additional units.
College Majors

SMSU Academic Hall
SEMO offers the following majors for undergraduates:
- Accounting
- Agribusiness
- Agricultural Education
- Art
- Athletic Training
- Biology
- Business and Marketing Education
- Chemistry
- Commercial Photography
- Communication Disorders
- Communication Studies
- Computer Information Systems
- Computer Science
- Computer Technology
- Corporate Communication
- Criminal Justice
- Cybersecurity
- Dance
- Early Childhood Education
- Economics
- Elementary Education
- Engineering Physics
- Engineering Technology
- English
- Entrepreneurship
- Environmental Studies
- Exceptional Child Education
- Family and Consumer Science Education
- Finance
- French
- General Studies
- Health Management
- Historic Preservation
- History
- Human Environmental Studies
- Industrial Education
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- International Business
- Management
- Marketing
- Mass Communication
- Mathematics
- Medical Technology
- Middle School Education
- Music
- Music Education
- Nursing
- Philosophy
- Physical Education
- Physics
- Political Science
- Pre-Architecture
- Pre-Chiropractic
- Pre-Dental
- Pre-Engineering
- Pre-Law
- Pre-Medical
- Pre-Optometry
- Pre-Physical Therapy
- Pre-Veterinary
- Psychology
- Recreation
- Social Studies
- Social Work
- Spanish
- Sport Management
- Technology Management
- Theater
Undergraduate Programs
SEMO is well-known as a school that produces quality educators, and as such,
many of the majors have an education degree available, such as
Agricultural, Art, Biology, Business and Marketing, Chemistry, English,
French, Mathematics, Physics, and Spanish.
Graduate Programs
SEMO offers a wide variety of Master’s degrees, as well as a few Specialist
degrees, and one doctoral program. The Master’s degrees are available in
Biology, Business Administration, Career Counseling, Chemistry,
Communication Disorders, Community Wellness, Criminal Justice,
Elementary Education, English, Environmental Science, Exceptional Child
Education, Higher Education Administration, History, Human
Environmental Studies, Middle and Secondary Education, Mathematics,
Mental Health Counseling, Nursing, Nutrition and Exercise Science,
Public Administration, School Administration, School Counseling,
Science Education, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, and
Technology Management. SEMO offers three Specialist degrees in
Educational Administration, Educational Leadership, and Counseling. The
one Doctoral degree is a Cooperative Doctoral Degree in Educational
Leadership.
Online Degrees and Programs
SEMO has an extensive array of online degrees offered at both the bachelor’s
and master’s degree levels. Bachelor’s degrees are available for the following
fields: Business Administration, Technology Management, Nursing,
General Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies, Criminal Justice, Computer
Information Systems, and Social Science. Master’s degrees are available
in the following fields: Business Administration, Organizational
Management, Elementary Education, Exceptional Child Education,
Secondary Education, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages,
Criminal Justice, and Technology Management. Online certificate
programs are also available for alternative education certification,
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Rankings
SEMO typically ranks high on US News and World Report's list of best
regional universities in the Midwest. In the past, they have also been
rated as the safest school in Missouri. Geteducated.com has listed them
before as the best value for their online MBA program.
Accreditation
SEMO is accredited by the North Central Association. SEMO's Harrison College
of Business is accredited by AACSB International, an honor awarded only
to the top five percent of business schools.
Departments, Colleges, and Schools
Southeast Missouri State is made up of five colleges and four schools. The five
colleges are: the Donald L. Harrison College of Business; the College of
Education; the College of Health and Human Services; the College of
Liberal Arts; and the College of Science, Technology, and Agriculture.
The four schools are: the School of Extended Learning; School of
Graduate Studies; School of University Studies; and the Earl and Margie
Holland School of Visual and Performing Arts.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
SEMO accepts Federal Pell Grants, the Teacher Education Assistance for
College and Higher Education Grant Program, and the Federal
Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. They also participate in
the Federal Work Study and Federal Perkins Loans. SEMO also offers a
large variety of potential scholarships. No forms are required to be
eligible. There are also scholarships from local institutions that can
help many students out.
Library System
Southeast's primary campus library is the Kent Library. It offers services that
give access to archival media, subscriptions to online magazine and
scholarly journals, and MOBIUS, which links into other Missouri
libraries.
Athletics

Southeast Missouri State Redhawks.
The SEMO Redhawks compete in the NCAA Division I Ohio Valley
Conference. The Redhawks offer the following men's intercollegiate
sports: baseball, basketball, cross country, football, and track and
field (indoor and outdoor). They offer the following women's
intercollegiate sports: basketball, cross country, gymnastics, soccer,
softball, tennis, track and field (indoor and outdoor), and volleyball.
Student Housing
SEMO offers eleven different residence halls that allow for double
occupancy for students. Costs for housing include either a 15+ or 19+
meal plan and range in price from $6,500 to $8,800.
General Information
Admission Office One University Plaza MS 3550 Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 (573) 651-2590 Fax: (573) 651-5936 [email protected] Contact: Deborah Below Director |
Main Address One University Plaza Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 (573) 651-2000 www.semo.edu |
Size Total undergrads: 9,381 First-time degree-seeking freshmen: 1,828 Degree-seeking undergrads: 8,632 Graduate enrollment: 1,433 Setting |
Degrees offered: |
Admissions Information
Application Fee College has an application fee: Yes Regular application fee: $25 Online application fee: $25 |
Enrollment Rates Percent applicants admitted: 97% Percent students who return sophomore year: 72% |
College Majors
Agriculture & Related Sciences Agribusiness Operations B Arts, Visual & Performing Art – General B Biological & Biomedical Sciences Biology B Business, Management, & Marketing Accounting B Communications & Journalism Communications/Rhetoric B Communications Technologies Graphic/Printing Equipment Operation C Computer & Information Sciences Computer Programming – General B Education Art Teacher Education B Engineering Engineering Physics B Engineering Technologies Architectural Drafting C English Language & Literature English Language & Literature – General B Family & Consumer Sciences Child Care Management A Foreign Language & Literature French B Health Professions & Clinical Sciences Clinical Laboratory Science B History History – General B Liberal Arts & Sciences General Studies B Mathematics Mathematics – General B Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies Global Studies B Natural Resources & Conservation Environmental Studies B Parks, Recreation & Fitness Health/Physical Fitness B Philosophy & Religion Philosophy B Physical Sciences Chemistry B Psychology Psychology – General B Public Administration & Services Social Work B Security & Protective Services Corrections B Social Sciences Anthropology B |
Degree levels for each major are designated by the following letters:
B = Bachelor's degree C = Certificate or diploma |
*We do not guarantee the
accuracy of information on this page. All information is subject to
change. You should confirm all information with a college admissions
officer.
Southeast Missouri State University Highlights
School Information
Phone Number: | (573) 651-2000 |
Website: | www.semo.edu |
Type of School: | 4-year, Public |
Apply Online: | www.semo.edu/admissions/apply.htm |
Address: | One University Plaza, MS2025, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 |
Setting: | City: Small |
Campus Housing: | Yes |
Students & Programs
Student Population: | 10,637 |
6-yr Graduation Rate (Bachelor's): | 52% |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 19 to 1 |
Distance Learning Programs: | Yes |
Distance Learning Students*: | 5,084 (48% of total students) |
Degree Levels Offered: | Certificates, Associates, Bachelor's, Master's |
* Students taking at least 1 distance learning course
Tuition & Financial Aid*
In-state Tuition: | $7,800 |
Out-of-state Tuition: | $13,830 |
% of Students Receiving Financial Aid: | 96% |
Avg. Amount of Grant or Scholarship Aid Awarded: | $7,638 |
* Full-time beginning undergraduate students. Financial aid is available to those who qualify.
Southeast Missouri State University Programs
See the degree programs that are offered at Southeast Missouri State University.
Degree Name | Cert | Assoc | Bach | Mast | Doct |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Agriculture, Agriculture Operations and Related Sciences | 4 | ||||
Biological and Biomedical Sciences | 1 | 1 | |||
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services | 1 | 8 | 5 | ||
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs | 3 | ||||
Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services | 1 | ||||
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services | 2 | ||||
Education | 9 | 17 | 12 | ||
Engineering | 1 | ||||
Engineering Technologies and Engineering-related Fields | 1 | 2 | 2 | ||
English Language and Literature/Letters | 2 | 3 | |||
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 3 | ||||
Health Professions and Related Programs | 2 | 6 | 3 | ||
History | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting, and Related Protective Service | 2 | 2 | |||
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 1 | ||||
Mathematics and Statistics | 1 | 1 | |||
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | 3 | 1 | |||
Natural Resources and Conservation | 1 | 1 | |||
Parks, Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies | 3 | 1 | |||
Philosophy and Religious Studies | 1 | ||||
Physical Sciences | 2 | 1 | |||
Psychology | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
Public Administration and Social Service Professions | 1 | 2 | |||
Social Sciences | 4 | ||||
Visual and Performing Arts | 4 | ||||
Grand total | 16 | 2 | 76 | 39 |
* Based on programs that produced 2019-2020 graduates
Tuition & Financial Aid
See what it costs to enroll at Southeast Missouri State University and how many students are receiving scholarships, grants, or loans as financial aid to help cover the costs of tuition.
Undergraduate Student Tuition
Average tuition and fees for academic year:
Tuition and Fees | 2019-2020 |
---|---|
In-state | $7,800 |
Out-of-state | $13,830 |
Books and supplies | $631 |
Graduate Student Tuition
Average tuition and fees for academic year:
Tuition and Fees | 2019-2020 |
---|---|
In-state | $5,959 |
Out-of-state | $10,513 |
Undergraduate Student Financial Aid, 2018-2019
Full-time Beginning Undergraduate Students
Type of Aid | Number Receiving Aid | % Receiving Aid | Avg. Amt. of Aid |
---|---|---|---|
Any student financial aid | 1,405 | 96% | – |
Grant or scholarship aid | 1,337 | 91% | $7,638 |
Student loan aid | 750 | 51% | $5,917 |
All Undergraduate Students
Type of Aid | Number Receiving Aid | % Receiving Aid | Avg. Amt. of Aid |
---|---|---|---|
Grant or scholarship aid | 7,974 | 79% | $5,973 |
Federal student loans | 4,205 | 42% | $6,274 |
Admissions & Enrollment
See the admission requirements for Southeast Missouri State University. Find out how many students apply and how many are accepted. View a graphical breakdown of the gender, age, and ethnicity of currently enrolled Southeast Missouri State University students.
Undergraduate Admissions, Fall 2020
Total | Male | Female | |
---|---|---|---|
Number of applicants | 4,785 | 1,806 | 2,979 | Percent admitted | 100% | 86% | 86% |
Percent admitted who enrolled | 32% | 33% | 31% |
Admissions Considerations
Required | Recommended | Optional | |
---|---|---|---|
Secondary school GPA | |||
Secondary school rank | |||
Secondary school record | |||
Completion of college-preparatory program | |||
Recommendations | |||
Formal demonstration of competencies | |||
Admission test scores | |||
Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.) | |||
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language |
Southeast Missouri State University Enrollment, Fall 2020
Total Enrollment | 10,637 |
---|---|
Undergraduate enrollment | 9,524 |
Graduate enrollment | 1,113 |
Undergraduate Attendance
Undergraduate Gender
Undergraduate Age
Undergraduate Race/Ethnicity
Undergraduate Distance Education
Undergraduates taking 100%, Some, or No Distance Education
Graduate Distance Education
Graduate students taking 100%, Some, or No Distance Education
Southeast Missouri State University Accreditation
This institution is accredited by Higher Learning Commission
Specialized institution accreditations:
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
- Dietetics (DIETI) - Dietetic Internship
- Didactic Program in Dietetics
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
- Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) - Graduate degree programs
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Nursing (CNURED) - Nursing education programs at the baccalaureate degree levels
- Nursing (CNURED) - Nursing education programs at the graduate degree levels
- Commission on English Language Program Accreditation
- English Language
- Missouri State Board of Nursing
- Baccalaureate Degree Nursing Programs
- National Association of Schools of Music, Commission on Accreditation
- Music (MUS) - Institutions and units within institutions offering degree-granting and/or non-degree-granting programs
- National Association of Schools of Theatre, Commission on Accreditation
- Theatre (THEA) - Institutions and units within institutions offering degree-granting and/or non-degree-granting programs
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
- Teacher Education (TED) - Baccalaureate and graduate programs for the preparation of teachers and other professional personnel for elementary and secondary schools
*General information for this school has been gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) database, a service provided by the U.S. Department of Education. CollegeAtlas.org does not guarantee the accuracy of information on this page. All information is subject to change. You should confirm all information with a college admissions officer.
If you work for a school and would like to update your data please contact us.
Recent Comments