The University of Missouri School of Medicine was the first publicly supported medical school west of the Mississippi River. It was organized as a two-year school in 1872.

The University of Missouri School of Medicine offers a program that emphasizes a medical education focused on clinical experience and research. In order to help medical students in their clinicals and research, The School of Medicine recommends students obtain a laptop. Laptops are versatile tools that can help students in and out of the classroom, and it is important to be up to date with the latest computing devised that are used in the medical field. 

The school is a pioneer in the problem-based learning style of medical education that emphasized problem solving, self-directed learning and early clinical experience.