New Student Checklist
Now that you are admitted to Missouri State for graduate school, this checklist provides
advice about other steps you should take to complete your transition.
Finalizing Your Transcripts
Your admission to Missouri State will be considered pending and registration of classes
to a future term may be delayed until the final, official transcript is received showing
your bachelor’s degree conferred. Provide your final, official transcript displaying
the conferral of your bachelor's degree information to the Graduate College as soon
as possible. Former Missouri State students are exempt from this requirement.
All new graduate students are encouraged to attend our optional New Graduate Student Orientation before each fall and spring semester. We also host a New Teaching Assistant Training that is required for new graduate teaching assistants.
Familiarize yourself with the Graduate Catalog for policies and procedures, as well as academic regulations, and
contact your academic unit and program for additional requirements.
Included in your admission letter is a nine-digit student number known as your BearPass
number. You need your BearPass number to create your BearPass login for the My Missouri State portal.
Contact Your Academic Advisor
Find your advisor's contact info in the My Missouri State portal under My Student Records > Advising Notes. They can answer program questions, discuss
admission conditions, and must release you to register for classes each semester.
Register for classes online by getting your advisor's release, logging into My Missouri
State, and following the instructions under the Registration card.
Your BearPass Card gives you access to the library, Bookstore, athletics events, dining
centers, vending machines and more. You can get your BearPass Card during Graduate Student Orientation or by visiting the BearPass Card office, Plaster
Student Union 128.
Purchase A Parking Permit
You can purchase a parking permit by visiting the office of parking administration.
Brightspace Userguide
Brightspace Userguide
Brightspace includes tools to support personalizing learning experiences to meet individual
student needs.
Navigating Graduate Success
Application for Graduation
An Application for Graduation should be submitted by the first week of the semester
in which you plan to graduate. Complete the application for graduation at My Missouri State Portal.
Graduate assistantships are offered in both administrative and academic areas. With
a graduate assistantship, you'll gain work experience in your field, enjoy networking
with faculty and staff and receive a stipend and fee waiver.
Your thesis/dissertation is the culmination of your graduate program. From picking
a subject and developing a study to analyzing the data and writing the results, the
process includes more than just writing a paper. Consult with your committee chair
(i.e., your thesis/dissertation advisor) to develop a timeline that best suits your
project’s needs. Be sure to enroll in the Thesis Brightspace course early in the process!