Graduate Admission Checklist

Graduate students are highly encouraged to apply at least 6 to 8 weeks before the start of the semester.

The application materials required by the Graduate College include (but are not limited to) the Application for Graduate Admission, the application fee, and official transcripts showing course work for the bachelor's degree and any graduate-level work. Academic programs may require additional materials be submitted by the student directly to the program. Please see the Graduate College and program admission requirements in the Graduate Catalog for further information.

Application Deadlines & Fees

Some graduate programs have specific deadlines that must be met in order to be considered for admission; applications received after those deadlines might not be considered. Check program listings in the Graduate Catalog and with your program to see if your program of interest has a specific deadline.

Missouri State does adhere to semester deadlines to avoid late fees. It is important to note that, in most cases, you should submit your application well before these deadlines, especially if you are considering a graduate assistantship. The "late fee" deadlines are as follows:

A $35 non-refundable application fee is required of all first-time applicants applying for admission to the Graduate College. Students applying for readmission (who have completed classes at Missouri State University as a graduate student) are not required to submit a fee. A $25 late fee is charged in addition to the application fee to individuals applying for admission after the stipulated "late fee" deadlines.

Admission Checklist

Students desiring admission into a graduate degree program must take the following steps:

1. Access the Missouri State University Graduate Catalog

• Review the admission requirements for the Graduate College and the program to which you are applying to in the Graduate Catalog

2. Complete the Application for Graduate Admission

• Online. We highly encourage you to apply for admission online. By applying online, you will help speed up the processing of your application.
• Paper application available on the Graduate College website.
• In person in the Graduate Admissions office located in Carrington Hall, Room 308.
• NOTE: Some programs require applicants to go through a separate application process before completing the Application for Graduate Admission with the Graduate College. Please review the Graduate Catalog to find out if the program you are applying to does this before completing the Application for Graduate Admission.

3. Application Fee

• If you are a first-time degree-seeking graduate student, pay the $35 non-refundable graduate application fee. If submitting an application after the application deadline, you must also pay a $25 late fee.
• Students applying online will be prompted to pay the fee by credit card or electronic check.
• Students applying by paper application must send a check or money order made out to Missouri State University along with their paper application. Students must write their full name and birthdate on the check or money order.
• If you are a McNair Scholar you will receive a waiver of the application fee. When applying online select 'Waiver - McNair Scholar".
• You are not required to pay the application fee if you have previously completed classes at Missouri State University as a graduate student.
• NOTE: Your application will not be processed if the graduate application fee has not been paid.

4. Transcripts

• Submit to the Graduate College one (1) official transcript showing course work for the bachelor's degree and any graduate-level work. At minimum, the bachelor's transcript must show the last 60 hours of course work or the necessary additional undergraduate transcripts are required. Missouri State University transcripts do not need to be requested.
• NOTE: Transcripts are not considered official unless they are received directly from the institution where the coursework was completed. A transcript that is hand-delivered by a student is considered unofficial even if it does have a seal from the institution or received in an unopened envelope. In addition, students sending transcripts while coursework for a bachelor's degree is in progress will need to send another official copy showing that they have been awarded a bachelor's degree.

5.  Standardized Test Scores

• If the program you are applying to requires standardized test scores (e.g. GRE*, GMAT, or MAT), register to take the standardized test required by the program through the appropriate testing agency.  More information on standardized test scores can be found in the Graduate Catalog section Test Requirements.

• After you have taken the standardized test, have an official copy of your test scores sent directly to the Graduate College by the appropriate testing agency.

*School Code for GRE is 6665.

6. Additional Materials

• Check with the program to which you are applying to see if you must submit additional materials such as letters of recommendation, resume, or departmental/program application are required for admission to the program. These materials should be sent directly to the program.
• NOTE: The Graduate Catalog lists the contact information for each program and what additional application materials the program needs from you.

7. Send Graduate Application Materials

• Please send your Graduate College application materials (e.g., Application for Graduate Admission, application fee, official transcripts, and official standardized test scores) to:

Missouri State University
Graduate College
901 S. National Ave.
Springfield, MO 65897

Phone: (417) 836-5331
Toll-free: (868) 797-4723
Fax: (417) 836-6200
Email: GraduateAdmissions@MissouriState.edu

Remember to send additional application materials required by the program directly to the program you are applying to.

8. Upon Receipt of Graduate Application

• As soon as all your graduate application materials have been received, the Graduate Admissions office will evaluate your application materials to determine if you meet the Graduate College's admission requirements as outlined in the Graduate Catalog. 

9. Graduate Application Sent to Program/Department

• If you meet the Graduate College's admission requirements, your graduate application materials (Application for Graduate Admission, official transcripts, and standardized test scores if required) will be sent to the program/department you applied to for an admission decision.
• If you do not meet the Graduate College's admission requirements, you will be notified by mail and/or email by the Graduate College. 
• Once your graduate application materials have been sent to the program/department, contact the program/department to find out where they are at on making an admission decision on your application. 

10. Admission Decision

• The program/department will submit an admission decision on your graduate admission application to the Graduate Admissions office after reviewing your graduate application materials and any additional materials required by the program/department. 
• The Graduate Admissions office will process the admission decision on your application and you will be notified by mail and/or email of the admission decision.