Degree-Seeking Students

To be admitted to the Graduate School at Missouri Western as a degree-seeking student, an applicant should submit an application for graduate admission through the admissions website prior to the application deadline.

Admission is based upon the following guidelines and minimum criteria:

  1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Official transcript(s) must be submitted from all colleges/universities from which the student has earned credit.
  2. A minimum 2.75 undergraduate overall grade point average (GPA), or a previously earned master’s degree.
  3. Individual programs may have additional requirements for admission, such as submission of a resume, letter(s) of recommendation, personal statement, and/or current license.  Requirements specific to a given graduate program are provided in the graduate program section of this catalog.
  4. Enrollment and class attendance at MWSU must begin the semester for which the student applied and was officially granted admission to Missouri Western. A deferral of the admission term may be granted on a case-by-case basis.
  5. Non-native speakers of English must receive a minimum score of 79 on the internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), 6.0 on the IELTS, score of 53 on Pearson's Test of English (PTE), Duolingo English Test (DEI) score of 105, or iTEP score of 3.9.  English proficiency tests completed more than two (2) years prior to the start of classes will not be accepted. 

  6. Proof of English proficiency as described above can be waived for those applicants to graduate programs who can demonstrate their English proficiency through 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. In addition, applicants must submit an official document from the undergraduate or graduate institution certifying that English is the primary language utilized in all methods of instruction.  The official document 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. 
  7. Missouri Western undergraduate students who have earned at least 90 credit hours are eligible to take up to 12 credit hours of approved graduate course work. Completing graduate course work as an undergraduate student allows completion of a master’s degree 1-2 semesters earlier than is typical. The undergraduate student must adhere to the following: 
  • meet all of the requirements for a degree-seeking graduate student (except completion of the undergraduate degree);
  • have a minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0;
  • meet with their undergraduate advisor to complete a “Permission for an Undergraduate to Enroll in a Graduate Course” form and receive approval from the graduate program director who has oversight for the courses and the Graduate  Dean;
  • coordinate registration through the Registrar’s Office.
  • An individual graduate program may have additional requirements for undergraduate students taking a graduate course.
  • Note: Graduate course work taken as an undergraduate student will appear on both the undergraduate and graduate transcript. Upon completion of the undergraduate degree and admission into the Missouri Western Graduate School, the graduate courses already taken and successfully passed will count towards graduate level course requirements.

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, etc.) may still be admitted conditionally. Students who are admitted conditionally must fulfill all specified conditions to continue in the graduate program. Failure to fulfill the conditions will result in program dismissal.