Central Missouri State University started in 1871 as
State Normal School,
District #2. The name was later changed to
Central Missouri State Teachers College in 1919,
Central Missouri State
College in 1946 and finally to
Central Missouri State Univerisity in 1971. In 1965, the institution established a
graduate school. The institution is currently considering a name change; some of the front runners include
University of
Central Missouri and
Missouri Central University.