Nursing Scholars/Early Acceptance Program

About
Early Acceptance into the Department of Nursing is available for high school seniors and Missouri Western freshmen with superior academic achievement. Early acceptance allows eligible students to reserve a spot in our competitive BSN Pre-licensure program without the stress of competing against other applicants. Students who are granted early acceptance are then designated as Nursing Scholars. These students are eligible to participate in special programs and activities within the Department of Nursing. They are also eligible for some scholarships. Nursing Scholars are not required to take the TEAS exam.

Application Deadlines
A completed application packet (see below) must be received by the Department of Nursing by August 1 following graduation for high school senior candidates. For MWSU freshman candidates applications are due by January 15 or June 15 following completion of the applicant’s first semester at MWSU. Applicants will be notified by mail of their admission status once all application materials have been reviewed.

Nursing Scholars Criteria

• High school seniors must be admitted to Missouri Western State University, have an ACT superscore of 24 or higher, have a high school cumulative GPA of 3.2 or above on a 4.0 scale and have involvement in community service/leadership. (The ACT superscore is the average of the highest of each of the 4 subscores from all test attempts.) Students who are required to take developmental coursework at MWSU are not eligible for early acceptance as a high school senior. This includes ENG 100, RDG 095, MAT 083, MAT 110E and MAT 111E. Students will be notified in writing of early acceptance. High school seniors can apply following the first semester of their senior year of high school.
• MWSU freshmen must be currently enrolled at MWSU, have a cumulative college grade point average of 3.2 or higher, have completed 13 credit hours (excluding dual/transfer credit) which includes one lab science course with a grade of B or better and have involvement in community service/leadership. Students who are required to take developmental coursework are not eligible for early acceptance as an MWSU freshman. This includes ENG 100, RDG 095, MAT 083, MAT 110E and MAT 111E. Students will be notified in writing of early acceptance. Freshmen are only eligible after their first semester at MWSU.

General Information:
Before beginning the nursing program, the following requirements must be met:

• Must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 or greater in order to keep early acceptance status. If, after any pre-nursing coursework, your cumulative GPA at the end of each semester falls below 3.2 or if a grade of “D” or “F” is received in a prerequisite course, applicant will receive a letter indicating that their early acceptance status has been rescinded and they will need to submit a new nursing application for regular acceptance into the program after they have completed (or are currently enrolled in) all general studies and nursing support courses (prerequisites).
• Must maintain continuous full-time enrollment (12 credit hours or more) at MWSU.
• Completion of, or currently enrolled in, all general studies and nursing support courses (prerequisites). These courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. (Refer to college catalog for list of these courses). All nursing support courses must be taken at MWSU (excluding dual credit).
• Criminal background checks are required prior to beginning the nursing program in order to meet contractual obligations with clinical agencies (pursuant to Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 660.317). An applicant who has been found guilty of a Class A or B Felony would not be allowed to participate in clinical nursing courses, therefore, would not be able to complete nursing degree requirements. Some clinical agencies have more stringent requirements.
• You must be eligible to lawfully gain employment in the U.S.
• Provisions of Section 335.046 State of Missouri Nursing Practice Act states: “Applicants from non-English speaking lands shall be required to submit evidence of proficiency of the English Language.” Refer to the Missouri State Board of Nursing website at: http://pr.mo.gov/nursing.asp.
• Complete all clinical compliance requirements.

General Instructions

• Complete the online application
• In order to have a complete application packet and be considered for admission as a Nursing Scholar to the Department of Nursing, your application must contain:
  1. Completed nursing application form
  2. $30 non-refundable application fee
  3. Supporting statement as to why you should be accepted to the BSN Program
  4. Resume (include school activities, community service & leadership positions)
• Questions? Email nursing@missouriwestern.edu or call 816-271-4415.

NOTE:  It is YOUR responsibility to ensure that your application packet is complete.  The admission process is competitive.