Graduate Credit, Undergraduate Students Taking

Op3.04-51 Undergraduate Students Taking Graduate Credit

Undergraduate students have three options for taking graduate credit prior to completion of a bachelor’s degree:

Mixed Credit (Accelerated Graduate Programs): Students admitted into an approved accelerated graduate degree program may have a limited number of graduate (600-level or higher) courses counted toward both an undergraduate and graduate degree. Before enrolling in a course to be counted as both undergraduate and graduate credit (mixed credit), the undergraduate student must be accepted into the accelerated graduate program and receive prior approval from: 1) the Graduate Program Director, 2) the Department Head of the undergraduate program, and 3) the Dean of the Graduate College. All approvals must be completed prior to the end of the Change of Schedule Period for the course(s). Although the university allows a maximum of 40% of the total hours required for the graduate degree to be taken as Mixed Credit, many programs have lower limits. See the Graduate College for specific information regarding individual programs' allowances for mixed credit.

Mixed Credit (General): Undergraduate students who meet all the admission requirements of a graduate degree or certificate program other than the completion of a baccalaureate degree may receive permission to take up to six (6) hours of mixed (undergraduate and graduate) credit without first being admitted to a specific graduate program. In order to qualify for this credit, the student must have completed 90 or more credit hours with a minimum cumulative GPA (MSU and combined) of 3.00. Note, however, that Individual programs may have a higher required GPA. Qualified students must receive prior approval from: 1) the Graduate Program Director of the program in which the graduate course is taken; 2) the Department Head of the undergraduate major to which the mixed credit will be applied; and 3) the Dean of the Graduate College. It should be noted that permission of the Graduate Program Director of one program does not guarantee that those approved mixed credit courses can be used in a different graduate program.

Senior Permission: Undergraduate students who have accumulated at least 90 hours from Missouri State or another accredited institution may be permitted to take a maximum of 12 credits of 600-level or higher courses for graduate credit. Students who desire to participate in this program must receive the recommendation of the head of the department in which the course(s) are offered and the approval of the Dean of the Graduate College. To be eligible, students must have a GPA of at least 3.00 on the last 60 hours of their undergraduate course work. Courses completed for graduate credit under Senior Permission cannot be applied toward the undergraduate degree. Graduate credit earned under Senior Permission may be applied toward a graduate degree or certificate program contingent upon approval of the Graduate Program Director.

Students are limited to a maximum of nine (9) credit hours of graduate level courses (whether taken as mixed credit or senior permission) and a maximum of 15 credit hours of graduate and undergraduate courses combined during a semester.

The Graduate College and the Office of the Registrar are responsible for developing and administering procedures for students utilizing the above options. Both offices will provide information on the procedures through their websites.