Admission & Application Process

Admission

Students entering MoWest as freshmen or by transfer should declare pre-nursing as their major. Students will then be assigned to an academic advisor in the Nursing Department who will help them plan courses to prepare to apply for admission to the BSN program. Admission is competitive, therefore, meeting the minimum application requirements and having general admission to the University does not guarantee admission to the program.

Admission decisions are based on cumulative GPA for all completed coursework with consideration given to the overall admission packet: TEAS score, Nursing prerequisite coursework (with a grade of “C” or higher), previous degrees, personal essay statement healthcare experience, and evidence of LPN licensure (if applicable). Special consideration is given to prerequisite coursework in General Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Chemistry and Math as these courses are highly predictive of success in nursing coursework. Patterns of repeated coursework and course failures are also considered during the admission process.

Each candidate is evaluated by a process established in accordance with guidelines of the School of Nursing’s APG Committee. The Nursing Department 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 Requirements

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. TEAS Exam Score of Proficient (58.7% or above)
   Applicants must take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS) prior to applying to the nursing program. TEAS tests taken within the past 3 years from date of application will be valid. Students who have been granted early acceptance are not required to take the TEAS. The TEAS is designed to evaluate
   the academic readiness of candidates prior to admission into the nursing program. The results also provide documentation useful for counseling and advisement. This examination also assesses the candidate’s ability to respond and apply knowledge to new situations and to understand complex technical
   material and relationships. All students must score at ATI Academic Preparedness Category of Proficient (58.7%) or above in order to be considered
   for admission. The highest score achieved will be used in the overall admission decision. A copy of the TEAS results must be uploaded as part of the application process. Potential applicants may take the TEAS test a total of 2 times per calendar year (January 1-December 31). The TEAS will be administered on the MoWest campus. Click here to register for a testing session. (You must first create an account with ATI. The institution is listed as MO Western State U BSN.) For more detailed information, visit our Testing Center website. Applicants who take the TEAS elsewhere are eligible for application.
3. Completion of MoWest’s General Studies requirements and MoWest 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 MoWest: Students, who are not already accepted to MoWest, must submit an application for general admission to MoWest. Admission to MoWest 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 MoWest: Official transcripts from every college or university that you have attended must be submitted directly to MoWest Admissions. Your application will not be reviewed until official transcripts are received and processed by the general admissions office. Current MoWest students do not need to re-submit official transcripts to Admissions if they are already on file.
6. Attach unofficial transcripts in your BSN application: Unofficial transcripts from every college or university (outside of MoWest) that you have attended must be attached in your BSN application.
7. Personal Essay Statement: A personal essay is required and must be attached to your BSN 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 MoWest Nursing program. Also describe how you will make an impact on the profession of nursing.” References are not required.
8. A $65 application fee is required to submit your BSN application.
9. Submit an Application to MoWest’s BSN Pre-Licensure Program. Applications are submitted electronically here.

Application Deadlines

The School of Nursing typically accepts 60 students into the BSN Pre-Licensure program twice per year in the fall and spring semesters. The application deadlines for applications to the BSN Pre-licensure program and for general admission to MoWest are listed below:

Additional Information

• 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 MoWest 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 and should be sent to nursing@missouriwestern.edu.
• Students who were previously dismissed from a nursing program for academic reasons may apply for admission to the MoWest 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 MoWest nursing program.

Tuition and Fees

Information regarding current tuition and fees can be found at https://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  https://www.missouriwestern.edu/admissions/griffon-rate/

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.