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Transfer Credit Policies

Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (regardless of accreditation status) must be forwarded to:

Missouri Southern State University
Office of Admissions
3950 E. Newman Rd.
Joplin, MO 64801

Phone: 417-625-9378

Email: admissions@mssu.edu

Fax:417-659-4429

    • Missouri Southern will accept mailed or electronic transcripts that come directly from the sending institution.
    • Official transcripts may be hand delivered in a sealed envelope to the Office of Admissions.
    • Official Transcripts submitted to MSSU become the property of the University and will not be returned to the student or forwarded to other institutions.

Institutions from which MSSU accepts transfer credits.

 

MSSU accepts transfer courses from institutions that are accredited by the following six accreditation agencies:

  • Higher Learning Commission (HLC) (MSSU is accredited by this agency)
  • Middle States Commission on Higher Education
  • New England Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Schools
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Western Association of Colleges and Schools

Please note: Any reference to “accredited” institution, school, college, or university refers to accreditation by one of the six accrediting agencies.


Transcripts from Foreign Countries

 

All college transcripts from institutions outside of the U.S. must be evaluated course-by-course with U.S. grading scale and GPA.

MSSU preferred evaluation service companies:  


Meeting Bachelor’s Degree Requirements


Transfer of General Education Requirements

Students who transfer from Missouri public colleges and universities and Missouri private institutions who have adopted Core 42 will be considered as having met the MSSU General Education Requirements 1-5 if they complete:
  • An Associate of Arts (AA) or an Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) degree; or,
  • The Missouri Core 42 requirement; or,
  • The designated general education program at the other institution, provided that the institution certifies the student’s completion of that program on an official transcript.
Students who transfer an Associate’s degree from an accredited Private or Out-of-State College will receive a course-by course evaluation of their transfer credit that will indicate applicability of their courses to MSSU general education requirements.
Students who have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and who wish to pursue an additional undergraduate degree will be exempt from all general education requirements at MSSU.
Students who have completed or been exempted from the general education requirements by any of the provisions listed above are not exempt from specific course requirements for their majors, even if those courses may be used to satisfy general education requirements at MSSU.

Information for Students Transferring From An Accredited Public Two-Year College in Missouri

  • Transfer students who have not completed the State of Missouri General Education Core will have their courses evaluated on a course-by-course basis. MSSU will accept unlimited lower division transfer hours from an accredited two-year college.
  • Credits from an accredited two-year college will be accepted to fulfill lower division requirements only.
  • The following requirements must also be met:
    • A minimum of 30 semester hours for the Baccalaureate Degree must be earned in residence at MSSU.
    • One-half of the major requirements must be earned at MSSU.
    • A minimum of 39 semester hours must be upper-division-level credits.

Information for Students Transferring From An Accredited Two-Year Private or Out-of-State College

  • Transfer students who have not completed an Associate of Arts degree will have their courses evaluated on a course-by-course basis.
  • MSSU will accept unlimited lower division transfer hours from an accredited two-year college.
  • Credits from an accredited two-year college will be accepted to fulfill lower division requirements only.
  • The following requirements must also be met:
    • A minimum of 30 semester hours for the Baccalaureate Degree must be earned in residence at MSSU.
    • One-half of the major requirements must be earned at MSSU.
    • A minimum of 39 semester hours must be upper-division-level credits.

Information for Students Transferring From An Accredited Public Four-Year College or University in Missouri

  • Students who have been awarded a baccalaureate degree* from an accredited public Missouri college or university, prior to enrolling at MSSU, are considered to have fulfilled all lower division General Education Requirements.
  • The following requirements must also be met:
    • A minimum of 30 semester hours for the baccalaureate degree must be earned in residence at MSSU.
    • One-half of the upper-division major requirements must be earned at MSSU.
    • A minimum of 39 semester hours must be upper division.

*Please note:  Individual courses are not articulated.  If you have completed a course which is a prerequisite for another course you need to take at MSSU, work with your advisor to file the appropriate form to request those courses be articulated. Contact the Office of the Registrar@mssu.edu if you have questions.


Information for Students Transferring From An Accredited Four-Year Private, Out-of-State, or International College or University

  • Transfer students who have not completed a previous degree will have their courses evaluated on a course-by-course basis.
  • Transfer students who have been awarded a baccalaureate degree* from an accredited out-of-state college or an accepted foreign equivalent, prior to enrolling at MSSU, are considered to have fulfilled all lower division General Education Requirements. 
  • The following requirements must also be met:
    • A minimum of 30 semester hours for the Baccalaureate Degree must be earned in residence at MSSU.
    • One-half of the upper-division major requirements must be earned at MSSU.
    • A minimum of 39 semester hours must be upper division.

* Please note:  Individual courses are not articulated.  If you have completed a course which is a prerequisite for another course you need to take at MSSU, work with your advisor to file the appropriate form to request those courses be articulated. Contact the Office of the Registrar@mssu.edu if you have questions.


Missouri Public Institutions 42-Hour General Education - Core 42

To facilitate the transfer of students among institutions of higher education in Missouri, the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (DHEWD) in Missouri has supported the development of a statewide general education policy that is intended to ensure the portability of general education credit among Missouri's colleges and universities.

Visit the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development's website for additional information https://dhewd.mo.gov/core42.php


Transfer Students Rights and Responsibilities

Department of Higher Education Workforce Development: Transfer Students Rights and Responsibilities

Missouri Southern State University is in accordance with Missouri Law RSMo 178.788 as well as guidelines and best practices set forth by the Missouri Department of Higher Education. For additional information from the Missouri Department of Higher Education regarding course articulation and the appeal process please visit Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (mo.gov)

For questions regarding your transfer credits, contact us at  registrar@mssu.edu