Mo. Rev. Stat. § 172.280
The curators shall have the authority to confer, by diploma, under their common seal, on any person whom they may judge worthy thereof, such degrees as are known to and usually granted by any college or university. The University of Missouri is the state's only public research university and the exclusive grantor of research doctorates. As such, except as provided in section 175.040, the University of Missouri shall be the only state college or university that may offer doctor of philosophy degrees or first-professional degrees, including dentistry, law, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine.
Effective dates prior to 1940 may not be the actual effective date. See FAQ 'When do laws become effective?'
§ 172.280, RSMo
RSMo 1939 § 10808, A.L. 2018 H.B. 1465 merged with S.B. 807 & 577