About the Missouri Department of Higher Education
Building Missouri's Future . . . by degrees
At the direction of the Coordinating Board for Higher Education (CBHE), the Missouri Department of Higher Education (MDHE) strives to coordinate higher education policy that fosters a quality postsecondary system, as well as to increase participation in Missouri 's public institutions. The state system of higher education serves more than 408,000 students through 13 public four-year universities, 19 public two-year colleges, one public two-year technical college, 25 independent colleges and universities and 150 proprietary and private career schools.
Primary Responsibilities
- Identification of statewide planning for higher education (including independent institutions)
- Evaluation of student and institutional performance
- Review of institutional missions
- Development of specialization among institutions
- Submission of a unified budget request for public higher education to the governor and the Missouri General Assembly
- Administration of a statewide postsecondary technical education program
- Establishment of guidelines to promote student transfer among institutions
- Approval of new degree programs offered by public colleges and universities
- Administration of the Proprietary School Certification Program
- Policy setting for and administration of student financial assistance programs
During state fiscal year 2009, the MDHE administered approximately $90 million in state-based student financial assistance to more than 48,000 students, and guaranteed more than $700 million in student loans to help more than 171,000 students achieve their educational dreams.
In addition, the MDHE conducts outreach activities, such as FAFSA Frenzy, to increase awareness among Missourians regarding opportunities for postsecondary education and student financial assistance. Through its financial literacy activities and student loan default prevention initiatives, the MDHE also strives to help students avoid accumulating credit card and other types of debt as well as avoid defaulting on their educational loans.
The Missouri Department of Higher Education and the Coordinating Board for Higher Education are included in Chapter 173 of the Missouri Revised Statutes.