This to-do list has been developed to assist you in your transition to Missouri State University! If you have questions or experience problems, please call the Office of Admissions at 800-492-7900 or 417-836-5517 or send an email to admission@missouristate.edu. Visiting campus and taking a tour can be very helpful in your transition and many of the items below can be done while on campus, such as getting your zip card and parking permit. Please contact the Office of Admissions if you are interested in scheduling a tour. You are also welcome to come to campus on your own. Please visit the Transit Operations Center, 700 E. Elm, to purchase a $2 visitor parking permit.

Set Up Access to Your Student Account

Go to the My Missouri State portal and use your M-number (Missouri State student identification number) to create a user ID and password. Choose a user ID and password that you can remember as this is your information portal for many functions, services, and resources at Missouri State, including registration.

After you create your user ID and password, you will be prompted to obtain your University email account, which you must have as it is used by the University for official communication.

Review Your Transfer Equivalency Worksheet

To better work with your academic advisor, take time to understand the transfer equivalency worksheet you received with your admission letter. Your worksheet may include codes that represent course entries; for example GEP, PEU, and GEN. Visit the Understanding Your Transfer Equivalency Worksheet web page for explanations of these codes. You also may see a course code followed by 000, which refers to elective credit; for example BIO 000 is biology elective credit. Elective credits apply to the total number of credits needed to earn a Missouri State degree. Refer to the above website to understand what elective credit is and how it can assist you toward your degree. You are encouraged to discuss elective credit with your academic advisor.

If you feel that a course you have taken does have substantial similarities to a Missouri State course and it was evaluated as an elective credit there is a re-evaluation process. Speak with your advisor and consult the above website for information on the process.

Determine Your Registration Date

Visit the registration website for information on determining your registration date.

How to Determine Hours and Class Status: Refer to the bottom of your transfer equivalency worksheet. Below the heading INSTITUTION, you will see an Earned Hours category. This is the number of credits earned and must be used to calculate your registration date.

My earliest registration date __________________ (Registration begins at 7:00am)                    

If you have not taken English 110 or Math 103 or higher, then you may need to take a placement exam. View the Placement Information document for more information on placement exams.

Meet With Your Advisor       

You are required to confer with an academic advisor before you register for your first semester.

Your advisor must then issue an electronic release. Visit the Advisors For Transfer Students web page to see the transfer advisor list and contact the academic advisor of your major. Please call as soon as possible to make an appointment with an academic advisor after you find your registration date. All new transfer students are highly recommended to meet in person with an academic advisor prior to registration.

Advisor: ______________________                Date and time of appointment: __________________

After you have received your electronic release from your academic advisor for the semester and it is your time to register, you have two options:

1. Register on the web at the My Missouri State portal.

2. Register on campus: Pick up a visitor parking permit at the Transit Operations Center, 700 E. Elm (see first page), then visit the Office of the Registrar in Carrington Hall, room 320. Registration hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday.

Visit the Transfer Advisement web page for more information about transfer academic advisement.

Secure Housing

After you were admitted to Missouri State you should have received a housing packet. All single freshmen (fewer than 30 credit hours completed) under 21 years of age are required to live in university housing and must complete an application for university housing or successfully appeal. If you are seeking an exception to the housing policy, visit the Residence Life and Services Exception To the University Hosing Policy web page for more information. If you have questions, please contact the Department of Residence Life and Services, located in Hammons House, Room 104, by calling 417-836-5536 or 800-284-7535, or visit the Residence Life and Services website.

If you have fewer than 30 credit hours you must have a housing application or successfully appeal to be able to register for classes.

Obtain Zip Card & Parking Permit

Pick up your ZipCard (Missouri State Student ID) at the Plaster Student Union, Room 128. You will need a photo ID to obtain your ZipCard, but there is no charge.             

To obtain a Missouri State parking permit you must register the vehicle(s) you will be driving with the Parking Administration Office, Transit Operations Center, 700 E. Elm. Hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, call 417-836-4825 or visit the Safety and Transportation website.

Apply for Financial Aid

Missouri State offers a comprehensive program of financial assistance. If you wish to be considered for financial aid for the fall semester, but have not already completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you may do so at www.fafsa.ed.gov. For additional information please contact the Missouri State Office of Financial Aid at 417-836-5262 or 800-283-4243 in Carrington Hall, Room 101 or visit them at the Office of Student Financial Aid website.

Send Final Transcripts

If you were admitted during your final semester at another college or university, be sure to request that your institution send a final, official transcript to the Missouri State Office of Admissions after your grades for the last semester have been posted. If you have completed an Associate of Arts degree (AA) or 42-hour certified block, please have that noted on your transcript so you’ll receive proper credit.

Reserve Your Books!  

You may reserve books online at the Textbook Reservations web page, or purchase them while you are on campus at the University Bookstore. The Bookstore is open year round for the purchase of textbooks, course materials, BearWear and much more. For additional information and hours please contact the University Bookstore at 417-836-5403 or visit the Bookstore website. Books may be charged to your student account.

If you have been out of school for an extended period of time, are married or have children, plan to attend part-time or have other special questions or needs sometimes experienced by adult students returning to school, then we encourage you to contact the Office of Adult Student Services and Evening College at 417-836-6929 or 877-678-2005. They can provide information about special orientation and registration options.