HIGH SCHOOL

COUNSELORS

High School Counselor Resources

Utilize the resources below for your current students and help them navigate the process of becoming a Griffon.

Each applicant’s file will be reviewed using the following standards:

Applicants who demonstrate a 2.5 cumulative high school GPA will be eligible for regular admission to the University.

Applicants who don’t meet the above  criterion may be granted regular admission if they meet the requirements in the following sliding scale:

  • 18-20 ACT (960-1050 SAT) AND 2.0 GPA or higher

Please Note: ACT or SAT test scores are not required for admission to Missouri Western. All students seeking to major in Education or Sport Management will be required to provide ACT or SAT scores to be considered for those programs. ACT/SAT scores may also be used for course placement and scholarship consideration.

Freshman applicants who don’t meet the automatic admission guidelines may be admitted as a Griffon Pathways student. The Griffon Pathways program is designed to help students strengthen academic skills needed for success at Missouri Western.

Griffon Pathways students will receive specialized advising during Griffon Orientation, free tutoring, and multiple check-ins from staff. Pathways students are now eligible to enroll full time and can live on campus . They will also be invited to attend Griffon Pathways events throughout their first semester.

Degree Choices

Missouri Western offers a wide range of high-quality degrees that are in demand and prepare you for future success.
Unsure about your major? Explore your options: griff.vn/focusareas.

Majors

Accounting
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Biology
Biology – Health Science
Chemistry
Computer Science
Construction Engineering Technology
Convergent Journalism and Public Relations
Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice – Legal Studies
Cybersecurity
Digital Animation
Early Childhood Education
Elementary Education
Exercise Science – Health and Exercise Science
Exercise Science – Personal and Commercial Fitness
Finance
Graphic Design
Health Information Management –100% online
Law
Management
Management – Entrepreneurship
Management – Human Resources
Manufacturing Engineering Technology
Manufacturing Engineering Technology – Bio-Manufacturing
Manufacturing Engineering Technology – Design and Technical Graphics
Marketing
Medical Laboratory Science
Music Education – Instrumental
Music Education – Vocal
Musical Arts
Nursing
Performing and Cinematic Arts
Population Health Management
Psychology
Recreation Sport Management – Esports Management
Recreation Sport Management – Sport Studies
Respiratory Therapy
Secondary Education – Business
Secondary Education – Social Sciences
Social Work
Special Education
Supply Chain Management
Wildlife Conservation and Management

Pre-Professional Programs

Pre-Architecture
Pre-Chiropractic
Pre-Dentistry
Pre-Engineering
Pre-Law
Pre-Medicine
Pre-Optometry
Pre-Pharmacy
Pre-Physical Therapy
Pre-Veterinary Medicine

Minors

Applied Mathematics
Art History
Athletic Coaching
Biology
Chemistry
Childhood Studies
Cinema
Cognitive Science
Computer Science
Construction Management
Criminal Justice
Cybersecurity
Data Science
Digital Animation
Digital Media
Digital Performance
Earth and Environmental Science
Entrepreneurship
Esports Management
Finance
General Business
Geography
Graphic Design
Legal Studies
Manufacturing Technology
Military Science
Music
Professional Business
Professional Communication
Psychology
Recreation Sport Management
Technical Communication
Wellness

Associates Degrees

Criminal Justice
Legal Assistant
Manufacturing Engineering Technology – Instrumentation and Automation
Manufacturing Engineering Technology – Precision Machining
Physical Therapist Assistant

Masters
Differentiated Curriculum and Instruction – 100% online
Forensic Investigation – online
K-12 Cross-Categorical Special Education – 100% online
Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) – Secondary – online
MBA – Engineering Technology Management
MBA – Forensic Accounting
MBA – General Business – onsite/online
MSN – Health Care Leadership – online
MSN – Nurse Educator – online
MSN/MBA – masters degrees in Nursing and Business Administration
Sport and Fitness Management
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) – online

Graduate Certificates
Forensic Investigation – online
K-12 Cross-Categorical Special Education
Nurse Educator – online
Special Reading
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) – 100% online

Learn Beyond the Classroom
We know that you expect more out of college than just classroom work. This is why you’ll have endless opportunities to learn beyond the classroom and gain real-world experience.

Internships
There is no better way to get real-world experience than in your chosen field, and there is no better place to secure an internship than at Missouri Western. Missouri Western has partnerships with businesses and organizations all over the country, and we can help you find an internship that will give you a jumpstart on your career. Students have completed internships at the Kansas City Ballet, numerous hospitals and clinics, Disney World, Johnson Space Center, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and more.

Research
Whether you want to work on your own, with your classmates, or with professors, you’ll have numerous research opportunities at Missouri Western. With the help of millions of dollars in grants, students have conducted research on synthetic biology, worked with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and presented research at national and international conferences.

Griffon Office of Applied Learning
This newly developed office works closely with campus departments and external organizations to connect students with applied learning opportunities. Our goal is that every student engage in applied learning to ensure that you have ample real-world experience that you need to succeed in your career.

Griffons Give Back
Missouri Western students, faculty and staff pride themselves on making a positive impact in the community through service and philanthropy. During the 2020-21 school year, students contributed more than 5,000 service hours in various ways. Through the Center for Service, you can earn a free credit hour for every 40 hours of service (up to three credit hours).

Gold Fridays
Missouri Western’s four-day Gold Friday class schedule frees up an entire day for purposeful experiential learning. Your Friday possibilities are unlimited, with opportunities to engage in research with faculty, complete an internship, focus on lab or clinical work, join a club or organization, take advantage of campus services like unlimited tutoring, or complete a community service project.

Cost of Attendance (COA)

Your Cost of Attendance (COA) is the estimated amount it will cost to attend Missouri Western for one academic year (fall and spring semesters).

Your estimated cost of attendance includes more than the charges you will see on your bill for tuition, fees and on-campus housing. Allowances for books and supplies, transportation expenses, and living expenses are also built in.  More information

To better estimate your direct cost to the University, please complete the Missouri Western Budget Calculator.

Please visit our Cost of Attendance page for more information.

Scholarships

Students are automatically considered for the Griffon Guarantee Scholarship and A+ Scholarship with an application and transcript submission. Unlike other scholarships, these are guaranteed every year as long as the student stays in good academic standing. PLUS, the amount of the scholarship grows each year!!

https://www.missouriwestern.edu/finaid/scholarship-opportunities/

A student can apply for competitive scholarships by completing the General Scholarship Application. Students who meet the February 1 deadline will be considered for over 250 scholarships offered by the Missouri Western State University Foundation. Students can apply here.

A+ Award for Service

Missouri Western will award new freshmen from Missouri high schools who have an A+ stamped transcript of at least $500 per year, with additional scholarship amounts earned based on performance on the ACT/SAT (up to $850 A+ scholarship dollars per academic year).

Students who earn the A+ certified stamp on their transcript are also eligible for Missouri Western’s Griffon Guarantee Scholarship, so their scholarship will grow as long as they remain enrolled full time with a minimum GPA of 2.0.

Living on Campus

• 24/7/365 security
• Secure keycard entry to each hall
• In-hall laundry facilities
• Private bathrooms
• Wi-Fi across campus
• Cable in each room
• Resident assistants and professional staff on site
• The Esry Health Center, located conveniently on campus, is available to all students.

For more info, go to missouriwestern.edu/reslife.

Missouri Western has a split model of advising. Initial advising of students is split between academic advisors in a central advising office and faculty advisors in each department. Usually, students who have not declared a major are assigned to the central office, while students who have declared a major are assigned to faculty in their major department. Students are strongly encouraged to develop a relationship with their assigned advisor and to meet regularly with that person. Students will be assigned to students by the fourth week of classes and they will have access to their advisor’s name and contact information within their Goldlink account. 

At Missouri Western, the role of an advisor is to be the primary resource regarding academic issues, opportunities, and programs and could be thought of as the coordinator of a student’s educational experiences.

The FYE is designed to help students prepare for college and to assist family members in understanding their student’s transition. We have created the following programs to help students feel comfortable on our campus.

Griffon Orientation

For the 2022 -2023 Academic year, students will participate in both an online orientation module and a virtual Griffon Orientation session. The module will ensure that you have completed all of the necessary paperwork and steps to enroll at Missouri Western. In June and July students will connect with us at a live session to meet current students, ask questions, complete advising, and officially enroll in classes. 

Griffon Edge

In August, students will attend an orientation program called Griffon Edge.  This program occurs the week before classes begin. All participants will receive a credit hour upon completion. Over 800 incoming students enroll in this class to serve as the first step in their Griffon journey.

Griffon Link

The Griffon Link consists of a variety of interest groups that you can join to make connections with other students who share that interest, hobby, or passion of yours. Each group is led by Link Leaders who will help you connect in group activities as well as one-on-one with other new students.

  • Meet People: The Link is a great way to meet students who share a similar interest, passion, or common experience.
  • Make MWSU Your Home: By attending events, you can make this university feel like a much smaller community. It is our hope that you feel like you truly belong here starting during your very first week at MWSU.
  • Get Involved: If you aren’t quite sure which of the nearly 100 student organizations is right for you, the Griffon Link is a great place to start. You can start to experience what MWSU has to offer by getting involved with a variety of campus activities and making connections with both new and returning students.

UNV101: The University Experience

The University Experience introduces you to the intellectual life at the University and seeks to prepare you for academic success. This class provides a rigorous and engaging academic experience and will connect you with the programs and people most closely aligned with your career goals.

Griffon 360 is Missouri Western’s Wellness Initiative that incorporates total body wellness. 

How to get involved: Students pick up a Griffon 360 passport and earn wellness badges by participating in events throughout the year. The goal is for students to to learn about health and wellness from a holistic perspective, targeting 8 main areas: Physical, Spiritual, Emotional, Environmental, Financial, Occupational, Social and Intellectual.

Information Session & Campus Tour (On campus)

9:30 a.m. & 1: 30 p.m. – Monday through Friday (On campus)

9:30 a.m. – Saturday

Enjoy an admissions presentation and walking tour through our beautiful campus. 

Individual Visit

9 a.m. & 1 p.m. – Monday through Friday (On campus)

Meet with an Admissions Counselor one-on-one to learn more about Missouri Western.

Online Information Session 

4 p.m. – Tuesday through Thursday (Online) 

Join us online for a group presentation with an Admissions Counselor with plenty of time for your questions.

Go to missouriwestern.edu/admissions/visit to schedule your campus visit today. 

Go to https://www.missouriwestern.edu/covid-19/ to stay up-to-date on our latest Covid-19 protocols and guidelines.

Join us in person on select Saturdays this semester for a closer look at academic programs and student life. 

Tech Careers
February 5 @ 10 a.m – 2 p.m. 

As technology rapidly advances, so does the demand for professionals qualified to use it. Missouri Western knows this and in response, has developed many programs designed to prepare our students for careers in the fast-paced industries of Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Construction Engineering Technology, Manufacturing Engineering Technology, and Mathematics. Join us to experience hands-on demonstrations with this cutting edge tech, speak with instructors, and get a better understanding of what it’s like to innovate at Missouri Western State University.

Open House
March 5 @ 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 

Are you interested in what it’s like to be a Griffon? Take an opportunity to come to our campus and see all the different resources and majors that Missouri Western has to offer its students. Breakout sessions and presentations will help familiarize prospective students with our faculty, staff, students, and our applied learning mission. Tours, student panels, and a resource fair will run throughout the day. Lunch is on us!

Learning Laboratory
April 2 @ 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 

Join us for an in-depth look at how Missouri Western does science! The amount of field experience Griffons get in the hard sciences ensures that after they graduate, they’ll have the skills necessary to enter into the highly competitive worlds of Biology, Chemistry, Medical Laboratory Science, Wildlife Conservation & Management, Geography, and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Don’t miss out on the chance to get your hands dirty with hands-on, interactive demonstrations throughout the day.

Click here to register for any of these events. 

Learn more about what makes Missouri Western unique from current students, faculty, and staff through our weekly Zoom series.

Wednesdays at 5 p.m. (Virtual)

View upcoming sessions or watch recorded sessions on demand, here.

Dates to Know:

  • May 7 – Commencement

  • July 1Application for admission opens

  • October 1 FAFSA and General Scholarship application opens

  • November 1 Housing application opens 

  • February 1 Scholarship Application Deadline & sign-up for Griffon Orientation opens 

  • June 14-16, 21-23 Griffon Orientation (GO)

  • July 12, 13 Griffon Orientation (GO)

  • August 25-28 Griffon Edge 

  • August 29 Classes Begin for Fall Semester 

  • September 5 –  Labor Day (no classes/campus closed) 

  • November 19-27 Fall Break (no classes/campus closed) 

  • December 9 – Last Day of classes for Fall Semester

  • December 12-16 – Final Exams for Fall Semester

  • December 17 – Commencement

  • December 24 – January 1 – Campus Closed

Counselors:

Counselor Login

Comparing College Costs Worksheet

Document
1

Calculations for Year One of College

MWSU UCM NWMSU MIZZOU St. Marys
Benedictine
First Year Educational Costs
Tuition per year (30 cr hrs)

6900

7748

6827

9639

30580

31830

Fees

1030

1320

4059

1458

1350

800

Books/Supplies

1000

1250

180

1232

1500

1000

Transportation

1000

1000

1000

1000

1000

1000

Room & Board (least expensive for freshmen)

9074

9358

10696

10785

8310

11010

Miscellaneous

1600

1600

1600

1600

1600

1600

1A Total Cost of Attendance

20604

22276

24362

25714

44340

47240

2

Financial Aid Components

2A

Gift Aid

Institutional Scholarship #1 (3.0 GPA, 20 ACT)

600

1000

1000

14000

14000

Institutional Scholarship #2
Institutional Grant
Federal Pell Grant ($0-$8,370 base on need)
Other Grant (SEOG, etc.)
2A Sub-Total Gift Aid

600

1000

1000

0

14000

14000

2B

Self-Help

Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan
Fed. Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
Perkins Loan
Institutional Loan/Financing
PLUS Loan
Federal Work Study
2B Sub-Total Self-Help

0

0

0

0

0

0

3 Total Financial Aid (2A+2B)

600

1000

1000

0

14000

14000

4 Remaining Out-of-Pocket Expense (1A-2A-2B)

20004

21276

23362

25714

30340

33240

5 Total Expense to Family (1A-2A)

20004

21276

23362

25714

30340

33240

1A When comparing college costs, it is important to begin by making sure you are including the total cost of attendance for each institution. Schools will frequently list just their tuition or tuition, room and board. This can be misleading as the student will encounter additional expenses that could total as much as an additional $10,000 depending on factors such as where you live and the intended program of study. Keep in mind that out of-out-state costs are greater at state universities.

2A Gift Aid represents support you receive for which there is no expected payback. Sources of this aid are the institution, the government and local organizations. Scholarships are merit-based and renewal is often contingent on the satisfaction of specified academic or performance criteria. Grants are based on your demonstrated need as determined by the FAFSA or CSS Profile. The selection of gift aid is optional.

2B Self-help includes funding sources you can draw upon to cover college costs for which you are accountable. The Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan, the Perkins Loan and Federal Work study are need-based (FAFSA). The other financing is accessible regardless of need. The selection of self-help funding is optional.

3 Total financial aid, gift aid and self help, available from all sources.

4 The remaining “out-of-pocket” expense includes the costs of attendance that may not covered by any form of financial aid in the financial aid award letter.

5 Total expense to family includes “self help” financial aid and remaining “out-of-pocket” expense.