Making the transition from high school to college
The transition from high school to college begins before you step on campus. Careful planning in high school will help ensure your admission to Missouri State and provide a strong foundation for your college career. Once you're on campus, you'll find a variety of special academic programs, services and facilities to make your adjustment to Missouri State as smooth as possible.
The High School Core Curriculum
The high school core curriculum is required for freshman students who graduate from high school in 1996 or later. The curriculum is as follows:
English: At least four units. Two units emphasizing composition and writing skills are required. One unit may be speech or debate.
Mathematics: At least three units at the high school algebra level and beyond, including algebra II.
Social Studies: At least three units, including American history and at least one semester of government.
Science: At least three units, not including general science. One unit must be a laboratory course.
Visual/Performing Arts: One unit selected from visual arts, music, dance or theatre.
Electives: Three units selected from foreign language and/or a combination of two or more of the areas listed above. Computer science (if algebra I is a prerequisite), state history, and international history are also is acceptable as electives.
For more information about the high school core curriculum requirements, including a list of acceptable courses, visit with your counselor or call the Admissions Office.
ACT
All first-time freshmen under the age of 22 must submit an ACT or SAT score when applying for admission to the university. It is recommended that you take the ACT for the first time on the April testing date of your junior year of high school.
View the current undergraduate admission requirements
Student Success
All first-time freshman students (and transfer students with less than 24 transferable credit hours taken after high school) register for GEP 101 Introduction to University Life. This course offers students a foundation for success at Missouri State by gaining knowledge of campus resources, research and responsibilities. It is taken the first semester of enrollment.
Choosing a Major
Students are often unsure about declaring a major. To help you make a choice among the many programs available, you will take several courses within the general education core that are required for all degrees offered at Missouri State. While completing these requirements you may discover your area of interest.
The Academic Advisement Center will assist you in class scheduling and provide guidance in your choice of a major.
To further assist you in your decision, the Career Center provides an array of services and resources. Talking with your academic advisor and teachers, joining departmental clubs and working part-time jobs or internships are good ways to learn more about career opportunities and help you choose your field of study.