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.

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.  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.  

To better estimate your direct cost to the University, please complete the Net Price 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 2023-2024 Academic year, students will participate in an on-campus Griffon Orientation session. This will ensure that you have completed all of the necessary paperwork and steps to enroll at Missouri Western. 

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 72+ 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.

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

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

Click here to stay informed of future 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.