Admissions
Op5.01-3 Freshman Admission Requirements
Policy Statement
You will qualify for admission to Missouri State if you are (or will be) a graduate of an accredited high school and meet both the core curriculum and selection index requirements described below. If you have completed courses for college credit, you must also have at least a 2.00 grade point average on those courses.
Home schooled students should refer to the policy for home schooled students.
Eligibility of international students is determined by the international student undergraduate admission policy.
Students age 22 or older who have not attended another college or university are exempt from the selection index and core requirements.
High School Core Curriculum
The high school core curriculum was established by the Missouri Department of Higher Education.
- English: Four units, two of which must emphasize composition or writing. One unit may be speech or debate. Acceptable courses: English or language arts, literature, speech, debate, journalism (if writing intensive). Unacceptable courses: yearbook, dramatics, mass media.
- Mathematics: Three units. High school algebra and beyond, including algebra II (If algebra I is taken in 8th grade, three more units must be taken in high school). Acceptable courses: algebra I, geometry, algebra II, pre-calculus, math analysis. Unacceptable courses: computer math, pre-algebra, general math, consumer math.
- Social Studies: Three units. Must include American history and at least one semester of government. Acceptable courses: world history, American history, American government, state/regional history, principles of democracy, civics, psychology, sociology, economics, political science, geography. Unacceptable courses: family relations, consumer education, personal finance.
- Science: Three units, not including general science. One unit must be a laboratory course. Acceptable courses: biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy and physiology, botany, zoology, integrated science, physical science, earth science. Unacceptable courses: general science, consumer science, environmental studies.
- Fine Arts: One unit. Graduates of accredited Missouri high schools meet this through completion of the fine-arts requirement for graduation. Acceptable courses: art, music (band, orchestra, choir, music appreciation or music theory), dance, drama, theatre appreciation. Unacceptable courses: speech, mass media, arts and craft.
- 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. Acceptable courses: Must be selected from foreign language and/or a combination of two or more of the areas listed above or computer science (if algebra I is a prerequisite). Unacceptable courses: physical education, accounting, family studies, keyboarding, vocational courses.
- Additional Electives: Additional elective credit to bring total to 24 units (required of Missouri high school graduates).
For additional details and examples of core curriculum courses, please contact your high school counselor or our office.
Selection Index
If you successfully complete the high school core curriculum (listed above) before graduating from high school and meet any one of the following criteria, you will be automatically admitted to Missouri State University:
- ACT score of 24 or higher (SAT 1090)
- 3.5 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Class rank in the top 25 percent
Applicants who do not meet one of the automatic admission criteria listed above, but who have successfully completed the core-curriculum requirement before graduating from high school, will be admitted if they meet the requirements in the sliding scale below:
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How to Use This Scale |
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STEP 1: Using your class rank percentile and GPA, determine which will place you higher on this scale. For example, if your class rank percentile is 60 and your GPA is 3.30, you would use the line based on your GPA. If your school does not rank, your GPA will be used to determine your eligibility. |
STEP 2: Follow the line you identified in Step 1 across the scale to determine the minimum ACT or SAT score you must have*. Using the same example from Step 1, a student with a class rank percentile of 60 and a GPA of 3.30 would need either an ACT composite of 19 or higher or an SAT total of 910 or higher. |
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Class Rank Percentile |
or |
GPA |
ACT Composite |
or |
SAT Total** |
|
75 or higher |
|
3.50 or higher |
No minimum test score required for admission purposes. |
||
|
73 to 74 |
|
3.48 to 3.49 |
18 |
|
860 |
|
64 to 72 |
|
3.25 to 3.47 |
19 |
|
900 |
|
56 to 63 |
|
3.04 to 3.24 |
20 |
|
940 |
|
48 to 55 |
|
2.85 to 3.03 |
21 |
|
980 |
|
40 to 47 |
|
2.63 to 2.84 |
22 |
|
1020 |
|
34 to 39 |
|
2.48 to 2.62 |
23 |
|
1050 |
|
Below 34 |
|
Below 2.48 |
24 |
|
1090 |
**sum of critical reading and math scores
To calculate your class rank percentile: Subtract your rank in class from the number of students in your class then divide that number by the number of students in your class. For example, if you are ranked 24th in your class of 200, your class rank percentile is 88 [(200 - 24) ÷ 200 = 0.88 or 88th percentile].
If your school does not grade on a 4.00 scale: Convert your GPA to a 4.00 equivalent by multiplying your GPA by four and dividing that number by the scale your school uses. For example, if you have a 10.50 GPA on a 12.00 scale, your converted GPA equivalent is 3.50 [(10.50 x 4) ÷ 12 = 3.50].
Freshman Admission Alternatives
As a selective admission institution, our objective is 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. If you do not meet the requirements listed above, please review our freshman admission alternatives.
The Missouri State University system includes an open admission campus in West Plains (about 100 miles southeast of Springfield). Students who do not qualify for admission to the Springfield Campus may begin at the West Plains Campus, which offers programs that enable students to transfer seamlessly to Springfield. For information on the West Plains Campus, please visit www.wp.missouristate.edu or call 417-255-7955.
The university reserves the right to limit enrollment and to admit students on a space-available basis. Students are encouraged to apply early.
If you have any questions, please call the Office of Admissions at 417-836-5517 or 800-492-7900, or write to: Office of Admissions, Missouri State University, 901 S. National Ave., Springfield, MO 65897.
Freshmen Orientation (SOAR)
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 Adult and Veterans Student Services. Students who are admitted late and/or cannot attend a SOAR program or register through Adult and Veterans 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 Admission
Op5.01-9 Transfer Students Admission Policy
You are considered to be a transfer student if you have enrolled in another regionally accredited college or university following your graduation from high school. Your eligibility for admission will be based on the number of credit hours you have completed, which may also determine such factors as your registration privileges and eligibility for scholarships.
Admission Requirements
You are eligible for admission if you have completed at least 24 hours of transferable credit following your graduation from high school and you have a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher on your transferable credit.
If you have completed fewer than 24 hours of transferable credit following your graduation from high school, then you must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher on transferable credit you have completed and you must also meet our freshman admission requirements. To see if you meet the freshman admission requirements, check the admission eligibility calculator.
What is needed for the application process?
- A completed application for admission. Apply online or download, print and mail in the paper application for undergraduate admission.
- Pay the application processing fee
- Transcript(s) from all colleges and universities from which you have earned academic credit.
When should I apply?
You may apply for admission up to one year prior to transferring to Missouri State. You should consider applying early in your last semester at your current institution.
Apply online at www.missouristate.edu/apply.htm.
Transfer Credit
Missouri State awards credit for courses taken through institutions accredited by regional accrediting agencies. Missouri State course equivalencies are established by the academic departments. Missouri State maintains a list of courses from many institutions. To view these courses go to https://www.secure.missouristate.edu/appadm/transequiv/transequiv.asp. There is no limit to the number of credit hours a student may transfer.
How can I check my admission status?
You may view your current admission status here.
After I am admitted what do I do?
Visit the transfer advisement web page.
Transfer Student Orientation (SOAR)
Two options for orientation exist for transfer students at Missouri State University. The orientation program in which you are required to participate is dependent upon the amount and type of transfer credit you are bringing to the University. For more information and your options, visit the SOAR web site for transfer students.
Readmission Policy
Op5.01-8 Readmission Policy
This section deals with the issues and concerns related to students who have previously attended Missouri State.
If you are a student who has attended Missouri State University as an undergraduate degree seeking student and wish to return to MSU in that same classification and you have been out of classes for over one academic year, you will need to reapply to Missouri State. You may use the online application to do this and choose the readmit application. If you have not attended classes anywhere since you left Missouri State, and you completed the admission process when you last attended here, this is all we need in order to process your readmission and get you ready to register. If you have attended classes somewhere since you left here, we will have to have those transcript(s) sent to us so that we can process your application.
The above procedure is also applicable to those students who may have left Missouri State on probation or suspension. You may review the reinstatement policy in the catalog at http://www.missouristate.edu/registrar/catalog/acstat.html.
If you are a student who attended Missouri State University as a non-degree seeking student and now wish to reapply as a degree seeking student, please get an application from the Office of Admissions. There is not a “reclassification” application available on the web at this time. You will be required to meet the admission requirements as a degree seeking student and provide the Office of Admissions with all transcripts necessary to process your application.
Registration information can be found on the Office of the Registrar website.
Other Student Types
Adult/Nontraditional Students
Adult, nontraditional, and part-time students interested in undergraduate programs should contact Adult Student Services. 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. For more information, visit the web site at http://adultstudents.missouristate.edu/.
Precollege Enrollment
Highly qualified high school juniors and seniors may be admitted under the campus-based or the high school-based precollege programs.
Students who wish to take dual credit courses through their high school 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. For more information, visit the web site at http://dualcredit.missouristate.edu/.
Students interested in the campus-based Precollege Program or a combination of the campus-based and high school-based programs should contact the Academic Advisement Center. For more information, visit the web site at www.missouristate.edu/advising/precollege.htm.
Graduate Students
Students interested in graduate programs should contact the Graduate College for details regarding the admission policies and procedures. For more information, visit the web site 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, 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. For more information including detailed policies and procedures, downloadable forms, and requests for information visit the web site at http://international.missouristate.edu/services/.
Non Degree 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 Missouri State Outreach. For more information, visit the web site at http://outreach.missouristate.edu/.
Non Degree Seeking Graduate Students (Postbaccalaureate)
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 non degree graduate students (postbacclaurate) without providing transcripts. Postbaccalaureate students may take either undergraduate or graduate courses (courses numbered 600 and higher automatically carry graduate credit 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 or applied to a graduate degree program. 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 admission and requirements. Generally, postbaccalaureate students are not eligible for financial aid. Individuals interested in admission under this classification should contact Adult Student Services. For more information, visit the web site at http://adultstudents.missouristate.edu/.
Teacher Certification
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. 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. For more information, visit the web site at www.missouristate.edu/certification.
Admission to Degree Program
Admission to the University does not guarantee admission to a specific degree program. Some programs such as Athletic Training, Nursing, Business, Social Work, Communication Studies,Teacher Education, 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.
Policy Regarding Applicants for Admission with Criminal Backgrounds and Suspensions/Dismissals