Admission Requirements and Deadlines - Freshman Admission (2024)

For many of our incoming students, their first semester in college will be right after their final semester of high school. If this describes you, then you will need to meet our selection index and high school course requirements.

If you have a high school cumulative GPA of 3.00+, congratulations — you are guaranteed admission, as long as you have taken our required high school courses. This means you don’t need to send us an ACT or SAT test score for admission purposes. However, you may consider sending test scores to possibly qualify for freshman scholarships.

Just a little short of the GPA requirement? We would be happy to consider you based on other achievements.

What's the selection index?

It may soundconfusing, but the selection index helpsdetermine your potential for success at Missouri State. Check out the chart below:

• Use whichever is higher to determine where you fall on the scale. For example, if you have a class rank percentile of 40 and a 2.90 GPA, you will follow the line based on your GPA.

  If your school does not rank, we will only focus on your GPA. You might also have both a weighted and an unweighted GPA. We will consider you based on whichever is higher.

• Just move your finger across the line you identified in the previous step. So, if you have a class rank percentile of 40 and a 2.90 GPA, then you would need an ACT composite or superscore of 21+ OR an SAT total or superscore total of 1060+.

  You heard us right – if you send us multiple test scores, we’ll provide you with a superscore. This can work to your advantage, especially if you’re a few points shy of getting the scholarship that you’re after.

I don’t meet the selection index. Are there alternatives?

We understand that grades and test scores are only part of the picture. Please review our freshman admission alternatives to learn about options open to you.

Sometimes, we have to make tough decisions. Denying your admission might be one of them. If this happens to you, there is always the option to apply to our open admission campus in West Plains. Thanks to cooperative programs, you can transfer back to the main Springfield campus with ease. Find out more by visiting WP.MissouriState.edu or calling 417-255-7955.

Do I have the required high school courses?

Most students don’t have any trouble with this part. But it’s a good idea to double-check what you’ve completed and what you still need to do before you graduate. You can review Missouri State’s course requirements below:

• Counts: English or language arts, literature, speech, debate, journalism (if writing intensive)
  Does not count: student publications, broadcast media, theater

• Note: All math units must be at the college preparatory level.
  Counts: algebra I, geometry, algebra II, trigonometry, pre-calculus, math analysis
  Does not count: computer math/programming, pre-algebra, general math, consumer math, business math

• Counts: world history, American history, American government, state/regional history, principles of democracy, civics, psychology, sociology, economics, political science, geography
  Does not count: family relations, human development, consumer education, personal finance

• Note: One unit must be a laboratory course.
  Counts: biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy and physiology, botany, zoology, integrated science, physical science, earth science, environmental science
  Does not count: general science, consumer science

• Counts: art, music (band, orchestra, choir, music appreciation or music theory), dance, drama, theatre appreciation
  Does not count: speech, debate, mass media, arts and crafts

• Additional elective credit to bring total to 24 units (required of Missouri high school graduates). Three units must be selected from any of the following areas: foreign language, math, english, social studies, science or computer science. Two units of a foreign language are encouraged but not required. Unacceptable courses include physical education, accounting, family studies, keyboarding, vocational courses.

I’m not a traditional freshman. What are my requirements?

Our students come to us from all different places, bringing energy and a little unexpectedness to our campus. Check out the admission guidelines that apply to you.

• Do you have 24 or more transferable credit hours post-high school and a cumulative GPA of 2.00+? Congratulations! You will be guaranteed admission. But maybe you’ve only spent a semester or two in college and earned fewer than 24 transferable credit hours. In that case, you will need to meet our freshman admission requirements. Learn more about our transfer admission requirements.

• Before you share your hard work and dedication with us, just be aware that the freshman requirements apply to you. Also note that the admissions office will need a transcript including your courses, GPA and graduation date. Find out more by accessing the admission policy for homeschooled students.

• Are you coming from a different country to attend college? If you’re ready to join our culturally competent campus, you will be admitted through the International Services office. Refer to the international student undergraduate admission policy for details.

• Way to get a head start on your degree! But have you earned 24 or more college credit hours post-high school graduation? If the answer is “no,” then you will still need to meet the freshman admission requirements.

• Our AdultStudent Servicesstaff would be happy to help you come back to school. If this will be your first time attending college, you will need to meet the same requirements as incoming freshmen. However, if you graduated from high school 3+ years ago, we won’t hold you to these requirements.

• If you take the General Educational Development (GED)or the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET), we will consider you for admission based on two things: your exam score and ACT or SAT score. As a bonus, you won’t need to send us the latter if you have a GED score of 644+ or a HiSET score of 63+. Refer to our admission policy for high school equivalency studentsfor details.

Dates to put on your calendar

Questions?

We're here to help! Contact the Office of Admissions at Admissions@MissouriState.eduor 417-836-5517.

You are also welcome (and encouraged!) to connect with your admissions representative.Think of this person as your go-to guide for all things Missouri State, from navigating the college search to tips for your first day of classes.