The graduate admissions process is different from the undergraduate process because students must be accepted by both Missouri Western’s Graduate School and the individual graduate program they are applying for. Here is a step-by-step outline of the process.
1. All students must complete the graduate application for admission to the Graduate School, which is available on the admissions website.
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- Once you submit your application, you must pay the application fee.
- All official transcripts, required test scores, and any additional materials specifically required for the degree program to which you are applying (e.g., personal statement, resume, etc.), must be submitted to the Office of Admissions before your application can be forwarded to the related department for processing.
- Official transcripts are required for ALL institutions you attended and from which earned credit. This includes dual-credit courses completed and/or any transfer credit hours earned from any institution other than the college or university where you ultimately earned your undergraduate degree. You will need to request a transcript from each institution.
- Official transcripts must be received directly from the institution(s) from which you earned credits. These should be sent electronically to admissions@missouriwestern.edu, if possible. You may upload all other required materials to the application portal yourself.
- Complete applications, including all required supplemental materials, must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the first day of classes for the respective fall, spring and summer term for which you have applied.
NOTE: International students have earlier application deadlines because of the time required to successfully secure a visa. International students seeking admission for the Fall term must submit their complete application by June 15th and those seeking admission for the Spring term must submit their complete application by October 15th. All documents required to complete an application for admission must be submitted by these deadline dates to ensure adequate time for processing and to allow for documentation to be issued so the applicant may obtain the visa and be able to arrive in time for the start of classes. International students are not eligible for a visa for online programs; however, international students may complete an online programs from their native country.
2. Degree-seeking applicants must also meet the necessary admission requirements for the specific program to which they are applying. Please check the specific program for any deadlines, minimum requirements, etc.
3. Applications for scholarships should be completed separately.
Please stay in touch with both the department representative and the admissions office during the entire process to ensure a smooth experience.
*International Student – A person who possesses a passport from another country besides the USA and wishes to study in the USA. A visa that permits study in the USA will allow this person to enter and commence and complete studies.
Applicant Categories
To be admitted to graduate studies at Missouri Western, an applicant should submit an application for graduate admission two weeks prior to the first day of classes for the respective fall, spring and summer semester.
Admission to graduate programs at Missouri Western is based upon the following minimum criteria:
- A bachelor’s degree or master’s degree from an accredited college or university. Official transcript(s) from all attended academic institutions must be submitted with application.
- Entrance to the Graduate School requires a minimum 2.75 undergraduate grade point average (GPA) or previously earned master’s degree.
- Individual programs may have additional requirements for admission such as higher GPA requirements, minimum graduate-level entrance exam scores, resume, letters of recommendation, personal statements, examples of representative work, or interview. Requirements specific to the program are given in the graduate program section of the University’s Graduate Catalog and on each degree webpage.
- Degree-seeking students admitted to a graduate program must enroll and begin classes at Missouri Western within the next academic year after receiving official notice of acceptance from the Graduate School Office. An extension may be granted under extreme circumstances.
- A degree-seeking student who has left a graduate program voluntarily for one or more semesters during the following academic year must submit a new admission application which must be approved by the director of the graduate program and the Graduate Dean. The current program of study form will supersede the one under which the student originally enrolled unless otherwise approved by the Graduate Dean.
- Applicants who are non-native speakers of English must receive a minimum score of 79 internet-based on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a 6.0 academic IELTS score unless they possess a baccalaureate degree from a U.S. college or university. Tests taken more than two years prior to the date of application will not be accepted.
- Missouri Western undergraduate students may apply for acceptance to an approved accelerated graduate program as a degree-seeking student. Accelerated graduate programs are designed to allow undergraduates to apply for early admission to the Graduate School and acceptance into a graduate program. Accelerated programs allow accepted undergraduate students to begin taking graduate course work before completion of their undergraduate degree. An accelerated graduate program should allow a student to complete a master’s program 1-2 semesters earlier than is typical for a particular graduate program. An accelerated graduate program will allow an accepted undergraduate student to begin taking coursework toward a graduate degree after earning 90 undergraduate credits (senior year). Students must have a minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0, and meet all of the admission requirements (except completion of the undergraduate degree) for a degree-seeking graduate student and any program specific requirements. An individual graduate program may have specific requirements for students to be accepted into an accelerated graduate program. Undergraduate students accepted into an accelerated graduate program are exempt from taking a maximum of six graduate credit hours and the restriction of only enrolling in 500 level courses. Students accepted into an accelerated graduate program may take up to 12 credits of graduate course work (500 or 600 level) during the time in which they are recognized as a senior student that will be counted toward completion of both undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Applicants who fail to meet one or more of the graduate school requirements or degree program requirements (i.e. low GPA, missing prerequisite coursework, English language requirement, entrance exam score, etc…) may still be admitted conditionally. Conditionally admitted students will receive notification of the conditions in their acceptance letter and must fulfill those conditions to continue in the graduate program. Failure to fulfill the conditions will result in program dismissal. Dismissed students may reapply after a one year lay-out, subject to program review.
The following policies apply to students who are not seeking a graduate degree and wish to enroll in graduate courses:
- Students with a bachelor’s degree who wish to take courses for graduate credit but who do not intend to seek a master’s degree must submit applications and transcripts from an accredited college or university showing a degree date and a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.75.
- Senior undergraduate students desiring to take graduate courses for undergraduate credit may take up to six total credit hours of graduate-level courses (500 level only) for graduate credit during only the last two semesters before receiving a bachelor’s degree, provided they meet the following criteria:
- Are within 24 hours or less of meeting the requirements for the baccalaureate degree.
- Have an overall undergraduate grade point average of not less than 3.0.
- File an application for graduate admission and receive approval before registering for the graduate course.
- Have the consent of the instructor(s) of the graduate course(s).
- A course taken for undergraduate graduation credit will NOT be allowed to count later for graduate credit.
- The approval form must be completed.
- Students with a bachelor’s degree who do not have appropriate program-required courses for admission to graduate work but are otherwise admissible to a graduate program may, with permission of the appropriate graduate program, take as many undergraduate courses as required for a degree-seeking graduate application.
- Students interested in taking in-service/professional development courses or workshops for graduate credit may do so by seeking admission through the Graduate Office. They must show proof of a bachelor’s degree by submitting appropriate academic transcripts. These students are limited to taking certain pre-approved courses.
Please note: non-degree-seeking students are not eligible for financial aid or scholarships.
All international students must provide evidence of visa status and F-visa students must have an I-20 form on file with the Office of Admissions once admitted. Students are encouraged to work with the International Student Coordinator for assistance with visas and any other questions.
Credential Evaluation (Transcript translation and/or evaluation)
Transcripts from outside the U.S. require an official evaluation from a NACES member service. The university requires the course analysis evaluation. Additionally, if your transcripts are not in English, they must also be officially translated. The original transcript must be provided together with evaluated versions.
SpanTran is our recommended international transcript evaluation service. They have created a custom application for Missouri Western State University that will make sure you select the right kind of evaluation at a discounted rate.
You can access their application here: SpanTran Application – Missouri Western State University
WES (World Education Service) is another international transcript evaluation service.
Students are responsible for credential evaluation and translation fees.
| TOEFL iBT | 79 |
| IELTS | 6.0 |
| Pearson’s Test of English (PTE) | 53 |
| Duolingo English Test (DET) | 105 |
| iTEP | 3.9 |
Exams taken more than two (2) years before a student’s first day of classes at Missouri Western will not be accepted.
Proof of English proficiency as described above can be waived for those applicants to graduate programs who can demonstrate their English proficiency in one of the following ways:
- Successful completion of 24 credit hours of upper-level undergraduate coursework or 12 credit hours of graduate coursework at a college or university outside of the United States in which English is the primary language of instruction. Successful completion is defined as maintaining a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in full-time, continuous studies. Applicants must submit an official transcript of their coursework.Applicants must also submit an official document from the undergraduate or graduate institution certifying that all of the administrative functions and instruction are conducted in English, which must be signed by an officer of the institution and carry an official seal.
OR
- Successful completion of a baccalaureate degree from a United States college or university.
NOTE: International students have earlier application deadlines because of the need to secure a visa. June 15 is the absolute latest date to apply for Fall admission. October 15 is the latest date for January admission. All documents required for admission must be submitted by the these deadline dates to ensure adequate time to review materials and allow for documentation to be issued to allow the applicant to arrive in time to start classes for the semester. International students are also not eligible for a Visa for online programs, however, you can take the online programs from your native country.
Students on F-1 and J-1 student visas have certain academic and credit hour requirements they must comply with to stay legal. Please review the document below before advising international students. If you have any questions, please contact International Student Services.
Teaching Assistantships
In order to comply with Missouri Statute 170.012, Missouri Western policy is that graduate students whose primary language is not English are not allowed to be Graduate instructors in any courses.
Out of State Tuition
All students attending on a F-class student visa are required to pay out-of-state tuition and are not eligible to file a petition for in-state status.
If a graduate applicant fails to meet one of the admissions requirements the student may request a conditional admission for their first graduate semester. The student must attain departmental/program support and forward all written materials to the Graduate Dean for final approval. Full admission will be granted if the student attains a 3.0 GPA or better during the first semester of graduate studies at Missouri Western.
Failure to achieve a 3.0 GPA will cause suspension from the program. If suspended from the program, the student may re-apply for admission one year after the suspension, subject to departmental review.