History of the School of Health Professions
Founded in 1978 after 23 years as a unit of the School of Medicine, the School of Health Professions became an autonomous division by action of the University of Missouri Board of Curators on Dec. 14, 2000. The school's five departments and eight accredited academic programs have a long and distinguished history, some dating back to the early 1900s, and have produced many well respected and nationally recognized professionals.
As Missouri's only state supported school of health professions on a campus with an academic health center, and the only allied health school in the University of Missouri system, the school is uniquely positioned to educate highly qualified health care professionals, who, in addition to becoming skilled practitioners, will assume leadership responsibilities as faculty, researchers, and administrators in their respective disciplines. Our commitment to research and services related to health promotion, disability prevention, and rehabilitation has never been stronger.
Graduates of the departments of Cardiopulmonary and Diagnostic Sciences (including Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine, Radiography, Medical Technology and Respiratory Therapy), Communication Science and Disorders, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy fulfill critical roles in health care. The school offers undergraduate degrees in communication science and disorders, diagnostic medical ultrasound, occupational therapy, nuclear medicine, radiography, clinical laboratory science, respiratory therapy, and graduate degrees in communication science and disorders, diagnostic medical ultrasound, occupational therapy and physical therapy. The school's Department of Health Psychology builds on current strengths and positions the school to become a national leader in outreach services for vulnerable populations.
Students gain valuable experience in the school's own service and outreach centers (including The Adult Day Connection, The Health Connection and the Department of Communication Science and Disorder's Speech and Hearing Clinic and Robert G. Comb's Language Preschool) and more than 800 fieldwork sites. The demand for the school's graduates is high with 86 percent of all practicing graduates remaining in the state. The 6,000 plus graduates of the School of Health Professions are committed to improving society through education, service and discovery in health and rehabilitation sciences.
Myths, Legends and Traditions
The ubiquitous stone "M" guarding the north end zone of Faurot Field was actually created as a pre-game stunt by some zealous freshmen following a Tigers win against Kansas State in 1927. In the 1950’s a group of pranksters changed the "M" to an "N" the night before the Missouri-Nebraska football game. A resourceful groundskeeper rallied some volunteers to help return the "M" to its original state before the game. The "M" still receives its traditional whitewash each year by MU student volunteers.