Bachelor of Music with Emphasis in Jazz Studies

at MSM Group - University of Missouri-St. Louis USA

The Creative Writing Program at the University of Missouri – St. Louis offers a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in fiction and poetry. Our MFA is a 39 credit-hour program designed as a terminal degree. It allows a select group of student writers an extraordinary opportunity to learn the craft of writing from the inside out. The methods of instruction are simple but effective: writing workshops in fiction and poetry; seminar classes on writing craft; assistant editorial work in conjunction with internationally-renowned literary magazine Boulevard. Students in the UMSL MFA program work closely with our distinguished faculty. In the final semesters of study, each student develops a book-length thesis. UMSL MFA graduates have published books in fiction and poetry, won prestigious awards, and placed poems, stories and essays in hundreds of esteemed literary journals.

The Master of Accounting (MAcc) degree program is intended for students preparing to enter the accounting profession as well as for those seeking to advance their existing accounting careers. It is designed to accommodate both undergraduate accounting majors and students with other undergraduate backgrounds. The MAcc degree will satisfy the minimum education requirements to be eligible to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination in Missouri.

The flexibility of this program enables busy adults to earn their graduate degree while balancing work, family and academic responsibilities. With many of our students working full time, all graduate classes are available in the evening.

UMSL MAcc graduates annually pass the four CPA exam parts at rates far above national averages and at rates competitive with the best programs in the state.

The Department of Biology offers two ways of achieving the Master of Science degree. The first is a non-thesis option suitable for those who may already have extensive research experience, for educators who seek to upgrade their academic skills but do not require research experience, or for those who need to broaden their biological background. The second is a traditional apprenticeship in research leading to a written thesis. All students admitted to the graduate program are considered to be in the non-thesis program unless they have been accepted into an individual faculty lab. Starting with a common core, both the non-thesis or thesis option may be developed into a final degree program in either of two broad areas in biology: 1) Cell and Molecular Biology or 2) Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art with an emphasis in Graphic Design offers students the opportunity to explore essential cultural and professional systems through creative visual practice. Students in the Graphic Design program enjoy the benefits of close relationships with the St. Louis visual arts professional community.

Our professors maintain a rigorous program that prepares students for immediate employment as professionals in the creative industry. Students receive professional practice development with a new attention paid to entrepreneurial skills.

The Bachelor’s degrees in Economics are available as both a BS, which is designated as a STEM program, and a BA. The BA in Economics is designed for students who want to think analytically and apply their knowledge to a broad range of topics such as property rights, environmental regulation, labor markets and government regulation, while the BS in Economics is designed for students who want to develop analytical and quantitative skills and apply that knowledge to a range of topics such as economic modeling, financial markets and market analysis.

A unique feature of our department is the opportunity to take a large number of courses in applied economics and data analysis, in addition to traditional economics coursework. Students work as research assistants, peer tutors and collaborate on projects.

• Graduates will be able to interpret and evaluate academic and industry-oriented research reports and findings.
• Graduates will be able to evaluate and use scientific research and tested models of communication processes to identify, develop, and implement plans to achieve specific communication goals and apply them to real-world settings.
• Graduates will be able to produce effective messages and select appropriate channels to achieve specific outcomes within complex work environments.
• Graduates will be able to evaluate the implications of communication processes and develop messages and strategies that are consistent with ethical principles.

The BES, with an emphasis in Early Childhood, is perfect for students excited about education, but looking for challenges outside a traditional classroom. The BES will prepare you for a career as an educator in agencies and institutions that emphasize informal learning in different settings. This degree is designed to be a creative, flexible, and inter-disciplinary bachelor’s degree that emphasizes practical skills in multiple settings.

Students gain skill and insights that can be applied to roles as educators, managers and directors, program planners and curriculum developers. This degree program does not lead to Missouri teacher certification.

Outcomes and Career Outlook

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able apply a unique understanding of social justice by addressing institutional and social barriers that limit access, equity and achievement; conduct themselves in a respectful and professional manner that views failure as an opportunity to learn; apply reasoning and critical thinking while making connections among information, data and arguments to synthesize and interpret information; apply unique leadership, management and communication skills using oral, written, nonverbal and visual communication skills in a variety of formats and contexts; apply knowledge and skills to effectively manage early childhood programs; and demonstrate a unique application of best practices when teaching young children.

The BS in Secondary Education, with an emphasis in Social Studies, prepares students to teach in secondary school settings, grades 9-12. This program requires the selection and completion of required coursework in Social Studies and includes field and practicum experiences in high school settings, culminating in Missouri teacher certification.

Much of the discipline-specific coursework parallels the BA degree in History or the BA or BS degrees in Economics; however, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) requires specific coursework for teacher certification.

The Bachelor’s degrees in Sociology are offered as both a BA and a BS. The BA focuses on qualitative tools like interviews, stories and community engagement while the BS focuses on quantitative research tools like surveys, statistics and data analysis. Both degrees answer the critical question “What is this all about?” Students may also select from one of the following minors or emphasis areas: gender studies, gerontology, leadership, urban studies and veterans studies.

An undergraduate degree in sociology is excellent preparation for graduate work in sociology or for entry level positions in business, social service and government worlds. Sociologists are found as teachers, researchers, employees of government agencies, research bureaus, welfare agencies and large companies. This social science based concentration provides excellent training for careers in law, education, medicine, social work and counseling.

The BS in Actuarial Science is an interdisciplinary degree designed to provide students with solid preparation to take exams needed to begin a career as an actuary by providing students with the quantitative skills used by actuaries. Students are required to complete courses offered by the College of Arts & Sciences as well as the College of Business Administration. Students take coursework in calculus, financial mathematics, statistics, economics, econometrics, accounting and finance.

To become an actuary students must meet specific requirements of the Society of Actuaries (SOA) including: Pass the exams and requirements administered by the SOA, fulfill Validated Educational Experience (VEE) courses offered outside the SOA, and undertake additional professional training provided by the SOA.