Travel agents find and book the best trip options for their clients by sorting through vast amounts of information.
They may also visit destinations to get firsthand experience with the destinations they recommend to clients.
If you want to turn your passion for travel into a rewarding profession, you should consider becoming a travel agent.
This profession is projected to grow 2 percent across the nation over the next decade.
Although the ability to use online resources to research vacations may limit the need for travel agents, people are expected to continue to ask travel agents for advice on popular or exotic vacation destinations.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, travel agents in Missouri earned $45,120 on average per year.
Although Missouri doesn’t require a formal state license, college degree, or government certification to work as a travel agent, professional credits can help you build industry credibility.
Optional post-secondary programs are available at local community colleges or universities.
Your training will typically prepare you for tasks such as:
- Arranging travel for business and vacations
- Determining clients’ schedules and budgets
- Finding fare and schedule information
- Booking reservations
- Giving information about required documents
- And more
We encourage you to read our list of the best travel agent schools in Missouri.
#1Missouri Valley University
About the School
Missouri Valley University provides an online travel agent certification program that is designed to equip students with essential industry knowledge and get them fully prepared for a career in travel planning.
The course can be completed in six months.
Students get a 12-month subscription to Travefy when they enroll in the program.
They become eligible for the Travel Agent Proficiency test, offered by the Travel Institute.
This program costs $2,299.
Courses Offered
The syllabus includes:
- Introduction to the Travel Industry
- Professional Skills
- Basic Geography
- International Travel
- Exploring the World
- Types of Air Travel
- Career Development
- Sales and Marketing
- Technology Used in the Travel Industry
Contact Information
- Address: 500 East College, Marshall, MO 65340 US
- Phone: 855.477.9802
- Website: https://careertraining.moval.edu
#2Missouri State
About the School
Missouri State offers a Tourism Management Undergraduate program.
Students have the option of choosing between two types of degrees:
The non-comprehensive degree– for those who want a well-rounded education, if they are interested in related fields or want to pursue a minor.
The comprehensive degree- for students who want a deep dive into the tourism business
Courses Offered
The comprehensive degree requires the completion of courses such as:
- Fundamentals of Tourism
- Geography of World Tourism
- Destination Development
- Hospitality Marketing
- Venue Management
- Understanding Travel and Tourism in the Modern World
- Internship in Hospitality
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 901 S. National Ave. Springfield, MO 65897
- Phone: 417-836-5000
- Website: https://ag.missouristate.edu
#3Missouri Virtual Academy
About the School
Missouri Virtual Academy is a Grandview R-2 School District program.
This is a tuition-free, full-time online public school for students in grades K-12.
Courses Offered
The academy offers a Hospitality & Tourism program that prepares students for careers in hospitality and tourism.
They get to explore the business side of hotels, restaurants, and food service.
The following pathways are offered at the academy:
- Restaurants & Food/Beverage Services
- Travel & Tourism
The Travel & Tourism program prepares students for various travel and tourism careers, including cultural advisors, travel agents, event planners, and tour guides.
Contact Information
- Address: 12645 Olive Blvd #214, Creve Coeur, MO 63141
- Phone: 855.827.3615
- Website: https://mova.k12.com
#4University of Central Missouri
About the School
The University of Central Missouri offers a Career and Life Design Center that helps students and alumni explore career options, design their career and life journeys, and make meaningful connections.
Available are one- and two-credit, eight-week career and life design courses that provide students with practical tools to prepare for their future careers.
Students receive training for a variety of career pathways, including a Hospitality and Tourism path for those interested in pursuing career opportunities in Hospitality and Tourism.
Participants have access to a variety of internships.
Contact Information
- Address: Ward Edwards 1200, 108 W South St, Warrensburg, MO 64093
- Phone: 660-543-4985
- Website: https://careerandlife.ucmo.edu
#5Northwest Missouri State University
About the School
Northwest Missouri State University offers online travel agent certification training.
The course can be completed in six months and prepares students with the essential industry knowledge to help them become fully prepared for a career in travel planning with an industry-recognized credential.
Students get a 12-month subscription to Travefy when they enroll in the program.
They become eligible for the Travel Agent Proficiency test, offered by the Travel Institute.
The course covers the knowledge for this test and serves as a foundation for their Certified Travel Associate certification journey.
Those who pass this exam with a score of 80% or higher can enroll in the CTA program without needing to meet the professional experience requirement.
This program costs $2,299.
Courses Offered
The syllabus includes:
- Introduction to the Travel Industry
- Professional Skills
- Basic Geography
- International Travel
- Exploring the World
- Types of Air Travel
- Career Development
- Sales and Marketing
- Technology Used in the Travel Industry
Available at the university is also a Major in Recreation, Parks, Sport and Tourism.
The Tourism and Event Planning pathway prepares students for global travel and tourism topics, service management, and event planning in commercial and public settings.
Contact Information
- Address: 800 University Drive, Maryville, MO 64468 US
- Phone: 855.477.9802
- Website: https://careertraining.nwmissouri.edu
#6Missouri Western State University
About the School
Online travel agent certification training is also available at MoWest- Missouri Western State University.
The course can be completed in six months and prepares students with the essential industry knowledge to help them become fully prepared for a career in travel planning with an industry-recognized credential.
Students get a 12-month subscription to Travefy when they enroll in the program.
They become eligible for the Travel Agent Proficiency test, offered by the Travel Institute.
This program costs $2,368.
Courses Offered
The syllabus includes:
- Introduction to the Travel Industry
- Professional Skills
- Basic Geography
- International Travel
- Exploring the World
- Types of Air Travel
- Career Development
- Sales and Marketing
- Technology Used in the Travel Industry
Contact Information
- Address: 4525 Downs Drive, Saint Joseph, MO 64507 US
- Phone: 855.477.9802
- Website: https://www.missouriwestern.edu
#7Southeast Missouri State University
About the School
Southeast Missouri State University offers a Hospitality Management major available at the main campus in Cape.
Students gain real-world experience through internships with hospitality organizations across the United States and internationally.
They get their ServSafe certification while completing their degree.
Graduates prepare for management careers in hotels, resorts, restaurants, tourism, events, and entertainment.
Courses Offered
The 45-hour major includes courses such as:
- Introduction to Hospitality Management
- Meeting and Event Management
- Hospitality Law
- Hospitality Sales and Marketing
- Hospitality Strategic Management
- Internship in Hospitality Management
- And more
Graduates are ready for a variety of careers, including event planners, tourism coordinators, hospitality sales managers, and more.
Contact Information
- Address: One University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
- Phone: (573) 651-2000
- Website: https://semo.edu
#8University of Missouri
About the School
The University of Missouri offers a College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.
A Bachelor of Science in Parks, Recreation, Sport and Tourism is available at the college.
The following emphasis areas are available:
- Sport Management
- Recreation Administration
- Tourism Development
- Natural Resource Recreation & Management
Courses Offered
The Tourism Development pathway includes the following core requirements:
- Tourism Management
- Entrepreneurship in Recreation, Sport and Tourism
- Sport and Recreation Management
- Sustainable Tourism
- Domestic and International Tourism: Resources, Market, and Impacts
This degree offers students a broad education on the operation and management of tourism-related resources, facilities, programs, and services and an understanding of its impacts on society through hands-on coursework and internships.
Contact Information
- Address: 125 Jesse Hall, Columbia, MO 65211
- Phone: 573-882-7881
- Website: https://missouri.edu
#9Travel Agent Academy
About the School
The Travel Agent Academy provides training programs designed to help students learn and retain information in fun and interactive ways.
Students earn Travel Institute CEU Credits.
The courses are compatible with an iOS tablet and allow students to learn from anywhere, on their own time, at their own pace.
Courses Offered
The course catalog includes classes such as:
- AAT Kings A-Listers Program & Agent Academy
- Arizona Specialist Program
- Le Programme Spécialiste Air France et Film
- Become a Houston Travel Pro
- Lopesan Specialist Program
- Greece Specialist Program
- Visit Florida Rewards Program
- Air France and KLM Specialist Program
- Baja California Specialist Program
- Choice Hotels’ Masterclass
- Costa Rica Specialist Program
- Dominican Republic Specialist
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 07070
- Website: https://www.travelagentacademy.com
#10Liberty University
About the School
An online program is also available at Liberty University.
The curriculum offers a Travel Agent training course designed to equip students with basic skills needed to become travel agents and prepare for the Travel Agent Proficiency exam.
Students gain a comprehensive overview of the travel industry and develop key professional skills, study basic, international, and destination geography, as well as the fundamentals of international and air travel.
This course also introduces students to Travefy, a leading platform for travel advisors.
They receive a 12-month subscription and learn how to begin creating and managing itineraries, proposals, and client communications effectively.
The course also covers current technologies and AI tools while guiding students through core transportation concepts, career development strategies, and sales and marketing principles.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes:
- Introduction to the Travel Industry
- Professional Skills
- Basic/International Geography
- Destination Geography
- Introduction to Air Travel
- Career Development
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1971 University Blvd, Lynchburg, VA 24515
- Phone: (434) 582-2000
- Website: https://www.liberty.edu
Schools Summary Table
Travel Agent Average Salary in Missouri
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$28K
|
|
|
$47K
|
|
|
$64K
|
Travel Agent Salary by Metro Area in Missouri
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 340 | $57,400 | $27.60 | $82,360 | $31,230 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 440 | $51,440 | $24.73 | $76,500 | $33,970 |
| Springfield, MO | 360 | $44,240 | $21.27 | $58,860 | $28,600 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
If you want to start a career that gives you the opportunity to travel to new destinations, becoming a travel agent may be a good idea.
Now that you have read our selection of the best travel agent schools in Missouri, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best fits your lifestyle.
