The Missouri State University system welcomes applications from qualified students. Our objective is to provide educational opportunities within the system for all students, either through the selective admission Springfield Campus or the open admission West Plains Campus. Admission requirements for the Springfield Campus are described below. For information on West Plains Campus admission requirements, please refer to www.wp.missouristate.edu/. 

Freshman Admission 

To qualify for admission, students must be graduates of accredited high schools* and meet the high school core curriculum and selection index requirements, as follows. 

*Students who will graduate from non-accredited high schools, including home schooled students, are encouraged to contact the Office of Admissions regarding admission requirements and options. 

High School Core Curriculum 

The following high school core curriculum, developed by the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education, is required for admission to the Springfield Campus for the fall 2010 semester and future semesters. 

• English: Four units, two of which must emphasize composition or writing. One unit may be speech or debate.
• Mathematics: Three units. High school level algebra and beyond, including algebra II.
• Social Studies: Three units. Must include American history and at least one semester of government.
• Science: Three units, not including general science. One unit must be a laboratory course.
• Fine Arts: One unit. Graduates of accredited Missouri high schools meet this through completion of the fine arts requirement for graduation.
• Academic Electives: Three units. Must be selected from foreign language and/or two or more of the areas listed above. Two units of a foreign language are strongly recommended.
• Additional Electives: Additional elective credit to bring total to 24 units (required of Missouri high school graduates).

Selection Index 

Eligibility for admission is based on a selection index, which is the sum of a student's class rank percentile (or grade point average equivalent) and ACT or SAT percentile*. The selection index requirement is 108 for fall 2008 through summer 2010.  Additionally, students will automatically qualify for admission if they are in the top quarter of their class or have a 3.50 or higher grade point average on a 4.00 scale or have either an ACT composite of 24 or higher or an SAT score (critical reading plus math) of 1110 or higher. A chart is available at www.missouristate.edu/apply that shows the test score and class rank/grade point average combinations required for admission. Students who have received a General Educational Development (GED) diploma will be evaluated on the basis of their GED scores and ACT or SAT scores. GED scores are converted to a class rank equivalency for admission purposes. The selection index for fall 2011 and future semesters will be available from the Office of Admissions at least one year in advance and will be on the university web site.  

* The ACT/SAT requirement is waived for admission purposes for students age 22 and older and for international students. ACT or SAT scores must be less than five years old. High school students are encouraged to take the ACT or SAT in their junior year or early in the senior year (preferably by October). The University will accept the highest ACT composite for admission purposes. The Counseling and Testing Center and most high school counselors have information concerning ACT and SAT test dates and locations.

College Credit 

Students who have taken courses for college credit are expected to have a grade point average of 2.00 or higher on transferable courses. 

Freshman Admission Alternatives

As a selective admission institution, Missouri State University seeks to admit students with demonstrated potential for academic success. We recognize that some students have potential for success not clearly evident through standard measures of class rank, grade point average, and test scores. We therefore offer admission alternatives that are described online at www.missouristate.edu/admissions/admissionalternatives.htm. The deadlines to apply for these alternatives are April 1 for the summer and fall semesters and December 1 for the spring semester. 

Missouri high school graduates who meet the core curriculum and apply by April 1 may enroll during the summer session, even if they do not meet the selection index requirement.

Transfer Admission 

Students who have completed 24 or more transferable credit hours subsequent to graduation from high school with at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average are guaranteed admission as transfer students. Students with fewer than 24 transferable credit hours must also meet the freshman admission requirements. 

Applying for Admission 

Applications for admission are available from the Office of Admissions and from most Missouri high schools and community colleges. An online application is also available on our web site at www.missouristate.edu/apply. Application deadlines are July 20 for fall semesters, December 20 for spring semesters, and May 20 for summer sessions. Students are encouraged to apply up to one year in advance. Early applicants may receive advantages in registration, housing, and financial aid.  

Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis after necessary information is received by the Office of Admissions. Students who apply while still in high school may be admitted on a pending basis but must supply an official, final high school transcript verifying graduation and completion of the 16 unit high school curriculum to complete their admission. Students who apply while enrolled at another college or university may also be admitted on a pending basis but must supply an official, final transcript verifying an overall grade point average of 2.00 or higher on transferable courses to complete their admission.  

If you have questions regarding admission policies or procedures or wish to request an application for admission, admission guide (viewbook), or undergraduate catalog, please call the Office of Admissions at: (417) 836-5517 or (800) 492-7900 or write to Office of Admissions, Missouri State University, Carrington Hall 204, 901 S. National Ave, Springfield, MO 65897; email: info@missouristate.edu.

Campus Visit 

We encourage and welcome all prospective students to visit our campus. To assist us in planning your campus visit, please call the Office of Admissions ten days in advance of your visit. You may also schedule your visit online at www.missouristate.edu/visit. 

Orientation for Freshmen and Transfer Students 

Freshmen* 

New freshmen are required to participate in a "Student Orientation, Advisement and Registration" (SOAR) program. Non-traditional students (includes students age 22 and older, evening students, married students, and students with children) may, as an alternative, register through the orientation and registration services provided by the Office of Adult Student Services. Students who are admitted late and/or cannot attend a SOAR program or register through Adult Student Services may not register until after the last scheduled SOAR program for the semester. Exceptions to the above policy must be approved by the Orientation Coordinator. Questions regarding SOAR may be directed to the Orientation Coordinator mail at Plaster Student Union 417, 901 S. National Ave, Springfield, MO 65807, or phone (417) 836-7641 or (888) 352-6781, or via email at SOAR@MissouriState.edu.

Transfer Students* 

Transfer students may register with currently enrolled students based on credit hours completed and will be provided with registration instructions following their admission. All new transfer students, regardless of the number of hours completed, must have an advisor's release prior to registering. Resources and information specifically for transfer students can be found online at www.missouristate.edu/transfer.

* Students are classified as freshmen if they enter having completed fewer than 24 transferable college credit hours subsequent to graduation from high school. Students who enter having completed 24 or more transferable college credit hours subsequent to graduation from high school are classified as transfer students. 

Nondegree Seeking Undergraduate Students 

Students who are 18 years of age or older and who wish to take courses but do not plan to pursue a degree may be admitted as nondegree undergraduates without providing transcripts. Students in this classification may enroll for up to 8 credit hours per semester and are not eligible for financial aid. Students who later decide to seek a degree must meet requirements for regular admission as either freshmen or transfer students. Individuals interested in admission under this classification should contact the Office of Adult Student Services at (417) 836-6929 or toll-free at (800) 492-7900 for information.

Postbaccalaureate Students

Students who have a bachelor's degree and wish to return to take additional courses but do not wish to pursue an additional degree may enroll as postbaccalaureate students without providing transcripts. Postbaccalaureate students may take either undergraduate or graduate courses (courses numbered 600 and higher automatically carry graduate credit for students in the postbaccalaureate classification and will be calculated in the graduate GPA). The only limitation is that no more than 9 hours of graduate credit may be accumulated under this classification. A maximum of 9 hours of graduate credit earned as a postbaccalaureate student can be applied toward a graduate degree, and this application of credit is contingent upon program requirements. Individuals interested in admission under this classification should contact the Office of Adult Student Services at (417) 836-6929 or toll-free at (800) 492-7900 for information. Generally, students in the postbaccalaureate classification are not eligible for financial aid.  

Individuals who have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, are seeking either initial certification to teach in Missouri or additional endorsements to an existing teacher certification, and are not enrolled in a degree program should contact the Teacher Certification Office, (417) 836-8772 or visit www.missouristate.edu/certification. This office provides a program evaluation service (a $50 fee is charged for this service), as well as advisement and assistance to students seeking certification. Generally, teacher certification students are admitted under the postbaccalaureate classification. Official transcripts from all previous colleges attended are required for students seeking initial certification. Teacher certification students may be eligible for financial aid.

Adult Students 

Adult, non-traditional, and part-time students interested in undergraduate programs should contact the  Office of Adult Student Services, (417) 836-6929 or toll-free at (800) 492-7900. Orientation programs are sponsored each fall and spring semester to assist adult/non-traditional students who wish to learn more about the University, learn ways to improve their chances for success with college work, and meet other students who have similar concerns.

Precollege Enrollment 

Highly qualified high school juniors and seniors may be admitted under the campus-based (dual enrollment) or the high school-based (dual credit) Precollege Programs. Students must have completed their sophomore year of high school, have at least a 3.00 cumulative grade point average on a 4.00 scale, and have an ACT composite score of 21 or higher (or an equivalent score on the PLAN, PSAT, or SAT). Freshman and sophomores students may qualify for the high school-based (dual credit) program by scoring at the 90th percentile or above on the ACT or SAT. Students must have written permission from a parent/guardian and written permission from a high school official (i.e., superintendent, principal, assistant principal, or counselor). Course selection(s) must be approved by the student's designated academic advisor.  

Students interested in the campus-based precollege program or a combination of the campus-based and high school-based programs should contact the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education at (417) 836-4589. Students interested strictly in the high school-based (dual credit) program should contact The Extended Campus at (417) 836-4128 or toll free (877) 678-2005. 

Graduate Students 

Students interested in graduate programs are encouraged to contact the Graduate College at (417) 836-5331 or toll free at (866) 767-4723 for details regarding the admission policies and procedures, applications, and for a copy of the Graduate Catalog. Information regarding graduate programs and graduate admission is available online at http://graduate.missouristate.edu. 

International Students 

Missouri State University welcomes applicants from around the world. International students may apply as first-time freshmen, transfer, postbaccalaureate, or graduate students. The University is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students. Admission requirements, policies, procedures, and fees for international students are different and they supersede any related policies stated elsewhere. 

A brief summary of the admission requirements for international students is displayed below. However, students must refer to the detailed policies and procedures and the downloadable forms that are available on the International Student Services web site at www.international.missouristate.edu. Requests for information may be submitted through the web site at www.international.missouristate.edu, or by email to InternationalStudentServices@missouristate.edu, or by phone at (417) 836-6618, or by fax at (417) 835-7656. 

International Application Deadlines 

Fall semester (beginning in August): application and all required documents must be received by May 1.

Spring semester (beginning in January): Application and all required documents must be received by September 1. 

Admission Requirements 

1. Application for admission and the required application fee. 
2. Official documents of all prior academic studies in both the original language and a translated copy. These documents will be used to determine admissibility to Missouri State University. Note that the academic requirements for undergraduate, transfer, and graduate students are different. 
3. Documentation of financial support. 
4. Proof of English language proficiency as follows: 

Undergraduate Students

TOEFL-PBT (Paper-based test): Minimum score of 500 or more

TOEFL-CBT (Computer-based test): Minimum score of 173 or more

TOEFL-iBT (Internet-based test): Minimum score of 61 or more

IELTS: Minimum score of 5.0 or more

ELS-Intensive English Program: Level 109

Missouri State English Language Institute (ELI) program: Completion of Level 4

Graduate Students

TOEFL-PBT (Paper-based test): Minimum Score of 550 or more

TOEFL-CBT (Computer-based test): Minimum Score of 213 or more

TOEFL-iBT (Internet-based test): Minimum Score of 79 or more

IELTS:  Minimum score of 6.0 or more

Missouri State English Language Institute (ELI) program: Completion of Level 5

Returning Students

Readmit Students: Students who are in good academic standing and plan to return under the same classification may register without applying for readmission. Students who have attended another accredited institution since leaving will be required to provide official transcripts by the Office of Admissions or the Graduate College. Registration instructions are available online at www.missouristate.edu/registrar.

For additional information, students should call the appropriate office based on the admission classification under which they plan to return, as follows:

Undergraduate, degree-seeking: Office of Admissions, (417) 836-5517 or (800) 492-7900

Graduate, degree-seeking: Graduate College Office, (417) 836-5331 or (866) 767-4723

International: Office of International Student Services, (417) 836-6618

Nondegree undergraduate or postbaccalaureate: Office of Adult Student Services, (417) 836-6929 or (800) 492-7900

Reinstatement Students: Students who were suspended following their last semester of enrollment must first adhere to the academic status policy as described in the "Academic Regulations" section of catalog. Such students must also apply for reinstatement by the semester application deadlines as described in the "Applying for Admission" section and as noted on the published Academic Calendar.

Students who plan to apply for financial aid are encouraged to initiate the admission and registration processes well in advance of the semester for which they plan to return.

Admission to Degree Program

Admission to the University does not guarantee admission to a specific degree program. Some programs, such as the Athletic Training major, Nursing major, majors within the College of Business Administration, the School of Social Work, the School of Communication Studies, the Teacher Education Program, and others have grade point average and test score requirements higher than the minimum required for admission. Some programs, such as Athletic Training, Nursing, and Early Childhood Education, have enrollment limits. Students should refer to the appropriate sections of this catalog for program admission requirements.

Notice to All Students

The University reserves the right to deny admission or readmission or to restrict enrollment of individuals who are determined to represent a threat to students, faculty, staff, or property. This determination will be made by the Dean of Students or his/her designee. Appeals to such a decision may be directed to the Vice President for Student Affairs.