Search the Community

Truman students pursue both knowledge and incredible educational value. Moreover, with our focus on the liberal arts and sciences, our majors and programs ensure all of our students receive a well-rounded education. Consistently ranked among the nation’s best colleges in publications such as U.S. News & World Report, Truman has forged a reputation as a public university that provides a private school experience at an affordable price. Our faculty pursue excellence in teaching and compelling scholarship—guiding, mentoring, and challenging their students to, likewise, explore the questions that matter. Truman alumni pursue lives as capable professionals, engaged citizens, and supportive colleagues across industries and sectors. Moreover, they show generous support for their alma mater by investing in Truman. Founded in 1867, Truman’s vibrant, active campus exemplifies the ideals held by its namesake, Harry S. Truman. The only Missourian to serve as president of the United States, Truman embraced and promoted affordable, well-rounded education for everyone. We do, too. We pursue it. Truman State University is here to open opportunity, promote access and social mobility, foster excellence, recognize merit, and do all that urge our students to make themselves productive, free, and equal. Our destination is unmoving – offering exemplary and affordable public residential education to well-prepared students grounded in the liberal arts and sciences. The Missouri Legislature gave Truman a statewide liberal arts and sciences mission in 1985. Truman provides an outstanding liberal arts education to academically talented students from across the state of Missouri, our nation, and the world at an affordable price. The mission of Truman State University is to offer exemplary undergraduate education to well-prepared students, grounded in the liberal arts and sciences, in the context of a public institution of higher education. To that end, the University offers affordable undergraduate studies in the traditional arts and sciences and selected pre-professional, professional, and master’s level programs that grow naturally out of the philosophy, values, content, and desired outcomes of a liberal arts education. Truman will demonstrate its public liberal arts and sciences mission by developing educated citizens needed to protect our democracy and offer creative solutions to local, state, national, and global problems. It will do so through transformative experiences that foster critical thought, daring imagination, and an empathetic understanding of human experiences at home and around the world. Truman graduates will be citizen-leaders committed to service globally competitive able to thrive in the complexities of an advanced, technical, and multicultural world and inspired to live healthy and meaningful lives. Truman’s vibrant, active campus is made up of a community of learners. Individually and collectively, people at Truman are driven to know, learn, understand, and extend the reach of shared knowledge. One out of five Truman undergraduates pursues serious research in any given year. These independent projects allow you to focus intensely on a particular area of interest that might not be covered in-depth in your classes. You will also learn how to collaborate with faculty members and fellow researchers while developing an idea from start to finish. Moreover, you can choose to share your scholarly work at the Student Research Conference held on campus each year. Learning at Truman extends far beyond the classroom—and the traditional semesters. Experiential learning opportunities get you out of the classroom and into real-life situations where you can put your knowledge and skills into practice. Truman also offers students and the local community several programs that explore learning in new and exciting ways. Truman considers internships to be a critical part of your academic and professional growth by putting your learning into practice in real-world settings. This type of experiential learning builds professional skills, increases your marketability to potential employers, and helps solidify your career plans. As a Truman student, you can live and study in another country, choosing from more than 50 countries. Some study-abroad programs require little or no knowledge of a foreign language, while others provide an opportunity for you to enhance your competency in another language. One of the best ways to learn more about study abroad is to look at our Study Abroad Blog. By combining community service with your academic study, you make connections across disciplines that teach the value of making a difference in the world and not just participating in it. We offer a high-quality, affordable education that prepares you to succeed in any career or graduate program you pursue after graduation. Most important, you will learn how to schedule a visit to see us on campus, request more information about the University, and, ultimately, how to apply so you can join us in our welcoming college town. Since Bulldogs like lots of opportunities to get involved, Truman's pursuits are not limited to the classroom. Jazz band on the Quad. Rock climbing walls. Fireside Fridays in the Student Union. Frisbee golf. Ted Drewes on the Mall. Concerts. Bulldog athletics. Charity benefits. Student club activities. Greek life. Humans vs. Zombies. Step shows. Community service. And those are just some of the things going on around Truman. There is also staying up late with your roommate about the afternoon you spent hiking at Thousand Hills State Park. Moreover, how your day ended at the University Farm, where you stared into the night sky, appreciating astronomy wonders with the Stargazers Club. There is the autobiographical story you wrote for the student literary magazine, Windfall, about your not-so-successful audition for student opera—and how you’re still glad you did it. View full university