Founded in 1963, Crowder College was established as a Community College in 1963. It serves the Junior College District of Newton and McDonald Counties.

The College is accredited by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Coordinating Board for Higher Education. The College is also fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a member of the North Central Association, and utilizes the Academic Quality Improvement Project as its accreditation approach. Program accreditations are in the Missouri State Board of Nursing, Teacher Education Certification, through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the National Institute for Automotive Excellence (ASE).

Graduates of the Associate of Arts programs are admitted without examination to junior standing in all public universities and colleges in Missouri and many outside the state of Missouri. Crowder is an active member of the Missouri Community College Association and the American Association of Community Colleges.

All associate of science degree programs in alternative energy, nursing, and pre-engineering are specially designed and they allow students after receiving their associate degree through the community college to remain on campus and continue their education, earning a bachelor of applied science degree from Missouri State University.

Moreover, Crowder College offers continuing education courses in areas such as, computers, paralegal training, cake decorating, and digital photography. Online Classes offer students an opportunity to break through barriers of time and space. No longer do you have to travel to a classroom. With Online Classes you can work at a time most convenient for you.