We understand that sending your kids to college can be a difficult experience. This is not only a critical turning-point of their lives—it is a huge shift for you as a parent, too.
But rest assured—just like you, we’ve got your student’s best interests at heart.
We are dedicated to educational excellence and to developing a shared sense of purpose across our campus community.
We achieve our goal of creating educated, compassionate citizens of the world by introducing our students to culturally-themed semesters, a university-wide international mission and a diverse community that equally represents all members of our society by welcoming change, transformation and growth.
We aim to guide your students from adolescence to adulthood, teaching valuable lessons that will enable them to become a successful contributor to society, an empathetic learner and a well-rounded, well-educated citizen of the world.
Our university is located in Joplin, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in Missouri.
Joplin is a growing city home to more than 50,000 people. Residents of the greater areas surrounding our city travel to Joplin frequently for work, shopping and artistic/cultural events, bumping up Joplin's metropolitan population to roughly 200,000. Located on the historic Route 66, Joplin also draws in tourism from all over the world.
Our city is perfect for college life. From any restaurant-chain you can think of to quaint local coffee shops, your options for dining and caffeine-fueled study-sessions are endless. You can even get a discount in many locations around town just for being a student here.
Joplin is home to the beautiful Wild Cat Glades, an ideal hiking trail and outdoor adventure for all nature-lovers. For those who crave excitement and city life, Joplin puts on a cultural and artistic event in our Historic Downtown District called Third Thursday. We also offer regularly scheduled Farmers' Markets, concerts, live performances at Joplin Little Theater, painting classes, world-class exhibits in Spiva Art Gallery and professional sporting events at Joe Becker Stadium.
A staple feature of Joplin's bustling atmosphere is our university. Situated near the Shopping District, our spacious 365-acre campus is within walking distance of Northpark Mall and a short drive away from our recently-remodeled historic downtown.
Joplin combines the welcoming feeling and familiarity of a small town with the beauty of the green countryside and the industry and growth of a big city. All walks of life are welcome in Joplin, and no matter who you are, you'll find a place to belong here in our town.
Where can I learn about your university's safety efforts?
Please reference our University Police page for information regarding safety efforts on-campus. We have many procedures in place to ensure campus is always safe.
Where will my student live?
If your student is an unmarried freshman under the age of 21 who does not intend to live with you, he or she will be required to live on-campus.
We offer four different housing styles: quads, apartments, traditional dorms and suites. Your student can pick which style of housing best suits his or her specific needs, then submit a housing request and application form through LioNet.
To find out more information about our housing accommodations, have a look at our RezLife website.
What are the on-campus dining options?
We offer many on-campus dining options to our students.
If your student intends to live on campus, he or she will need to select a Meal Plan as part of his or her housing contract. This Meal Plan will allot your student a select amount of meals (the amount is dependent upon which plan is selected) from Mayes Dining Hall, which is located near our Residence Halls.
Additionally, your student can use Lion Bucks and Dining Dollars to purchase goods, snacks and meals from other on-campus locations such as the Lion's Den in our Student Center, the Bookstore, vending machines and any of our coffee shops.
The Lion's Den in Billingsly Student Center offers fresh meals from our campus food provider as well as hand-made Pizza Hut personal pizzas and bread-sticks.
What are Lion Bucks and Dining Dollars?
You or your student can deposit money directly into his or her student account, which will allow his or her Lion Card to pay for food, goods and services on campus.
The money deposited on your student's Lion Card is converted to a type of credit we call "Lion Bucks." To use Lion Bucks, your student can simply scan his or her Lion Card and pay using the pre-deposited Lion Bucks on his account.
You or your student can add money at any time to the account, either online through LioNet or in-person at our Card Services office.
If your student is living in the dorms on-campus, he or she will need to select a Meal Plan with their housing accommodation. Depending on which Meal Plan your student selects, he or she will be granted $75-150 to use as "Dining Dollars." This amount is used as credit for your student to purchase food items from a number of locations.
What are parking options for students?
Parking costs are covered in your student's tuition prices.
For students living on-campus, parking spaces are available outside our Residence Halls. Students can walk from the Residence Halls to campus using an underground tunnel that safely moves them across the road without waiting on traffic.
If your student is commuting, he or she will get a parking sticker to put on his or her windshield from our Card Services Office.
We have ample parking space available for all students. We suggest that students park in the lot nearest their first class of the day, then walk to their classes around campus.
What health services do you provide students?
The Willcoxon Health Center in Billingsly Student Center is open to all students who are currently enrolled. See our main page for university medical requirements (meningitis, MMR, tuberculosis risk assessment, medical history)
Willcoxon Health Center is our on-campus acute care clinic. This means we offer treatments for many illnesses, infections, muscle strains, skin rashes, colds and more—however, we are unable to treat or offer care for chronic health conditions.
If we can’t help with what’s bothering you, we may be able to help with local resources.
Students are responsible for the cost of some services. There is no charge for a consultation with our providers. Appointments are required. The Health Center has over-the-counter medications and first-aid supplies available at no cost and without an appointment. Please note we are unable to bill insurance.
Here is an overview of services we offer:
∙ Physicals
∙ TB Tests
∙ Screening for STIs
∙ Pregnancy tests
∙ Women's health (PAP smear, UTI testing, etc.)
∙ Titers (blood test to check for immunity)
∙ Vaccinations: Influenza, Hepatitis B, Tdap
∙ Pre-traveling consultations/examinations
∙ Select lab work
∙Over-the-counter medication and first-aid supplies (for no charge), including but not limited to: cough/cold relief, pain relief, antihistamines, PMS/cramping relief, indigestion tablets, anti-itch cream, condoms and female hygiene products
Monday-Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm (Closed daily from 11:30am - 12:30pm)
Summer Hours: Monday-Thursday 7:00am - 5:00pm (Closed on Fridays & daily from 11:30am - 12:30pm)
What counseling resources are available for students?
We understand the importance of mental well-being and make it our goal to provide our students with accessible counseling services.
We offer free, individualized, confidential, time-limited sessions for currently-enrolled students.
Common issues we help students address and overcome include:
• Transitioning to college life
• Self-esteem and identity concerns
• Relationship stresses (family, friends, significant others)
• Depression
• Thoughts of suicide
• Anxiety and/or panic attacks
• Stress
• Questions/concerns about sexuality
• Coping with grief and loss
• Body image concerns
• Anger management
• Career and life choices
• Adjusting to life in the U.S.
• Additional mental health concerns
What is your university doing to protect students from sexual violence?
In an effort to prevent sexual violence from occurring, we strive to inform and educate our students about consent and non-threatening behavior. Our university police officers frequently patrol campus during the day and night to provide all students with a safe environment.
How can my student get involved in university/campus life?
There are many ways for your student to get involved.
How your student chooses to get involved depends on his or her personality and interests.
We have a wide range of clubs and organizations for students to join, and students have the option to rush for one of our Fraternities/Sororities.
We hold campus-wide events throughout the year for all students to enjoy, from movie nights to comedy shows and midday cook-outs. Show our campus events calendar to your student to see if he or she is interested in attending any of our upcoming events. You and your student can always help cheer on Lion Athletics at one of our many sporting events, as well.
Do you offer career guidance for your students?
We are highly focused on student success in the classroom and beyond.
To help prepare our students for the workforce, our Career Services Office offers various career guidance events/programs, including mock interviews, career planning and advising, career assessments and life planning courses.
During the completion of his or her degree, your student may also opt or be required to partake in an internship that is relevant to his or her degree.
Where can I purchase MOSO gear?
Our Bookstore, located in Billingsly Student Center, is the best place to buy shirts, decorations and other MOSO-themed gear/attire--for both you and your student.
