This to-do list is intended to assist you in your transition to Missouri State University. If you have questions, please call the Office of Admissions at 800-492-7900 or 417-836-5517 or email admissions@missouristate.edu. You may also download a print-friendly Transfer To-Do list [PDF].
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 BearPass 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
Your student account is accessed through an online portal known as "My Missouri State" at my.missouristate.edu. To establish access to your student account, go to my.missouristate.edu and use your BearPass Number (Missouri State student identification number) to create a BearPass Login and password. Be sure to write down your BearPass Login and password — you'll use these often to log in to your student account to access information, services, and resources, including registration.
After you create your BearPass 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.
Transfer Student Online Orientation
You are required to complete an online orientation that will take about 15 minutes. This is required in order to register for classes. Until this is completed you will have a Transfer Orientation (TO) hold on your account. Once you have completed the orientation and verified your completion this hold will be released.
Access the transfer orientation by logging into your My Missouri State Portal, click on the academics tab, scroll to the Transfer Student Channel and select the transfer orientation. Once you have completed the orientation you will click on the verification button and it will ask you to login again with your BearPass ID and password. This will verify your completion of the orientation and a confirmation email will also be sent to you.
Review Your Transfer Credit Evaluation
To better work with your academic advisor, take time to review your online transfer credit evaluation. You may access your transfer credit evaluation by logging in to my.missouristate.edu. Click the "Academics" tab at the top of the page and locate the "Transfer Students" channel. Under the heading "Transfer Credits," click the link titled "Transfer Credit Evaluation." Your transfer credit evaluation may display how courses that have a direct equivalency transferred; for example MTH 123 (College Algebra at institution A) transfers to MSU as MTH 135 College algebra. Other codes that represent course entries may be on your evaluation as well; for example GEP, PEU, and GEN. Visit the Understanding Your Transfer Credit Evaluation 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
Go to the registration website for information on determining your registration date or note that typically toward the end of April and November registration has gone to open registration and anyone is allowed to register at that time. If it is the end of April or November then do not worry about your registration date, call to schedule an appointment with you advisor.
www.missouristate.edu/registrar/registration.htm
How to determine hours and class status
Login to my.missouristate.edu select the academics tab, then select the transcript link. At the bottom of your transcript you will see totals and determine your hours and class status.
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 to make an appointment with an academic advisor after you find your registration date and before you come to campus. 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 Housing 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.
Off Campus Housing
For information about off campus housing go to www.missouristate.edu/admissions/springfieldliving.htm .
Obtain BearPass Card & Parking Permit
Please verify that your name in the admission letter we sent you is the same as your government issued ID. If it is different you will have difficulty getting your BearPass Card. If you need to change your name on our record to match your gov't ID please contact the Office of the Registrar at 417-836-5520.
Pick up your BearPass Card (Missouri State Student ID) at the Plaster Student Union, Room 128. You will need a photo ID to obtain your BearPass Card, 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.
Get Involved at Missouri State
Involved students are more likely to graduate, feel more connected to the university, the campus, the people, and are more familiar with university resources. Those students report higher levels of satisfaction with their college experience. A great way to get involved at Missouri State is participation in one of our 300+ student organizations. A list of these organizations can be found on line along with a lot of other great information at www.missouristate.edu/studentengagement.
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.
Academic Calendar
Click to see the academic calendar for when classes start and other important academic deadlines and events.
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 at 417-836-6929 or 800-492-7900. They can provide information about special orientation and registration options.