Southeast Missouri State University - Overview

Founded in 1873, Southeast Missouri State University has a proud history of excellence in education. From the copper dome to the gum tree to cardiac hill, Southeast is a university with a rich past.

Southeast is distinguished for the intellectual challenge and range of learning opportunities offered. There are a number of reasons why you will find Southeast to be the place for you. Southeast's dedication to a quality and affordable education has been recognized nationally by U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, and others. Learning by moving your experience out of the traditional classroom, involving you in independent thinking and learning, problem-solving in an area of developing expertise, and activities rather than reading in a textbook, and working on relevant or useful projects? Southeast does exactly that through “experiential learning” or real-world experience.

Small class sizes and excellent teachers are a hallmark of Southeast’s commitment to student success. The University prepares students to be leaders in society through a curriculum centered on academic and personal development.
Southeast is fully accredited by North Central Association of colleges and Schools. The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) presented Southeast with the “Best Practice Award for Global and International Teacher Education.”

Location & Facilities

Southeast Missouri State University, is a public, accredited university located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, United States, near the banks of the Mississippi River. The recent addition of the River Campus, housing the Holland School of Visual and Performing Arts, has increased the university's commitment to education in the arts.

Southeast students are involved in active learning and real-world experience, which is the hallmark of Southeast. More than 96 percent of our students will have experienced a real-world learning experience before they graduate from Southeast and 100 percent of our programs of study offer a real-world work component. This could cover a broad spectrum of activities:  workplace training and development, e.g. internship, discipline-specific research, clinical experiences, training in practical skills, performance and personal growth – the kind of experience that will help you find a great job once you’ve graduated from Southeast.

Southeast students make lasting connections with alumni through the Career Alumni Network sponsored by the Alumni Association and Career Linkages. Students are paired with successful Southeast alumni who serve as mentors, providing job shadowing opportunities and professional advice that help ensure career success. Southeast has great award-winning food.  Chartwell’s, Southeast’s food service provider, has defeated dining service programs at 68 other colleges and universities across the Midwest to be named Regional Account of the Year for the third year in a row!