Admission Requirements

Admission
Students entering Missouri Western State University as freshmen or by transfer should declare pre-nursing as their major. Students will then be assigned to an academic advisor in the School of Nursing who will help them plan courses to prepare to apply for admission to the BSN program.

Admission to the BSN program is competitive, therefore, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Admission criteria includes completion of MWSU’s General Studies course requirements, completion of all Nursing prerequisites (with a grade of “C” or better), the TEAS exam as well as other additional requirements listed below. Each candidate is evaluated by a process established in accordance with guidelines of the School of Nursing’s APG Committee. The School of Nursing and Health Professions reserves the right to select among all qualified candidates. Admission decisions are typically issued in March for fall semester nursing classes and in October for spring semester nursing classes.

Application Deadlines: August 15 for the spring semester; January 15 for the fall semester. Applications will be accepted until 10:59 p.m. on the specified deadline date.

Admission Policy

1. Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher: Applicants must have a minimum overall cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher to be considered for admission.
2. Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS) score of 58.7% (academic preparedness category of proficient) or above is required. The highest score achieved will be used in the overall admission decision. TEAS tests taken within the past 3 years from date of application will be valid. Potential applicants may take the TEAS a total of 2 times per calendar year (January 1-December 31).
3. Completion of MWSU’s General Studies requirements and MWSU Nursing prerequisite courses: All coursework (General Studies & Nursing prerequisites) must be completed prior to the beginning of the term for which you are applying. Specifically, all nursing prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. Specific nursing support courses (other than general education courses) must have been completed within the previous ten years. In your application, be sure to include courses that are planned for the upcoming semester. For a breakdown of General Studies and Nursing prerequisites, view our sample program.
4. Submit an application for admission to MWSU: Students, who are not already accepted to MWSU, must submit an application for admission to MWSU. Admission to MWSU is a requirement for admission to the BSN program. For questions regarding undergraduate admissions (including application deadlines) please call (816) 271-4266 or visit the admissions website.
5. Submit official college transcripts to MWSU: Official transcripts from every college or university that you have attended must be submitted directly to MWSU Admissions. Your application will not be reviewed until official transcripts are received and processed by the general admissions office. Current MWSU Students (please note): If you are currently enrolled at MWSU, you do not need to re-submit official transcripts to MWSU Admissions if they are already on file.
6. Submit unofficial transcripts in NursingCAS: Unofficial transcripts from every college or university that you have attended must be uploaded in NursingCAS.
7. Personal Essay Statement: A personal essay is required and must be entered in your NursingCAS application. Criteria for the personal essay statement are: “Provide a personal statement that is between 250-300 words. This statement should provide a rationale as to why you should be accepted to the MWSU nursing program. Also describe how you will make an impact on the profession of nursing.”
8. References are not required.
9. A $55 application fee is required to apply to NursingCAS. Your application must be complete and verified by NursingCAS to be fully considered for admission to MWSU’s Nursing program.

Tuition and Fees:
Information regarding current tuition and fees can be found at www.missouriwestern.edu/businessoffice/tuition/. Additional fees for Nursing (NUR) courses will apply.

Griffon Rate tuition information (for out-of-state undergraduate students who live in 18 other states) can be found at www.missouriwestern.edu/admissions/griffon-rate/.

Additional Information:

• Completion of MWSU’s General Studies course requirements (or equivalents), Nursing prerequisite courses (or equivalents), and BSN coursework is required prior to graduation with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Missouri Western State University.
• Students must earn a minimum of 120 credit hours (100 level and above) for degree completion.
• Students must earn a minimum of 30 credit hours in upper division coursework (300 level and above).
• Eligibility for licensure. Completion of the program does not guarantee eligibility to take the RN licensure examination (NCLEX). Refer to the Nurse Practice Act in the state in which you anticipate licensure. In Missouri, refer to Sections 335.046 and 335.066.
• Transfer of Nursing Courses: Students who are enrolled and in good standing in another approved baccalaureate Nursing Program may be eligible for admission and advanced placement in MWSU Nursing Program. Because of program organization and course sequencing in different nursing programs, it may be necessary to repeat some content and/or clinical experiences. One letter of reference stating that the student is in good standing must be submitted from the director of the previous nursing program.
• Students who were previously dismissed from a nursing program for academic reasons may apply for admission to the MWSU nursing program. No credit for previous nursing coursework will be awarded and advanced placement in the nursing program is not an option in this situation. If accepted, the student will be admitted on conditional admission status and will be required to take NUR 300 in the first semester of the program. A letter of reference from the director of the previous nursing program must be submitted. This letter must include the reason for the dismissal. Students who were dismissed from a nursing program for non-academic reasons are not eligible for admission to the MWSU nursing program.

Title IX, 504/ADA
In keeping with the requirements of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 in regard to sex discrimination and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 in regard to handicap discrimination as well as other applicable federal and state laws, Missouri Western State University follows a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity in regard to all employment practices and to all educational programs and activities including financial aid, recruitment, admission, housing, and placement. Inquiries regarding the application of these laws may be submitted to the Title IX Coordinator, Blum 231, (816) 271-4557, titleix@missouriwestern.edu OR the accessibility resource center director, Eder 201, (816) 271-4330 arc@missouriwestern.edu.