Nursing Scholars/Early Acceptance Option

Early acceptance into the Pre-licensure BSN program is available for high school students and Missouri Western freshmen with superior academic achievement.  Early acceptance allows eligible students to reserve a spot in this competitive program.  Students who are granted early acceptance are then designated as Nursing Scholars.  These students are eligible to participate in special programs and activities within the nursing department.  They are also eligible for some scholarships.  Nursing Scholars are not required to take the TEAS exam.

Application Deadlines

A completed application must be submitted to the nursing department by January 15 or August 15.  Applicants will be notified by email of their admission status following the application deadline.  No more than 50% of each cohort will consist of early acceptance admissions.

Nursing Scholars Criteria

• High school students:  High school juniors or seniors must be admitted to Missouri Western State University, have a high school cumulative GPA of 3.2 or above on a 4.0 (unweighted) scale and be involved in community service/leadership activities.  High school students can apply anytime following the first semester of their junior year.  A final high school transcript is required following graduation to provide documentation that the GPA remained at 3.2 or above.
• MWSU Freshmen:  MWSU freshmen must be currently enrolled full time at MWSU, have a cumulative college GPA of 3.2 or above, have completed at least one lab science course with a grade of B or above, and be involved in community service/leadership activities.  Freshmen are only eligible after their first semester at MWSU.

Maintaining Nursing Scholar status:

Nursing Scholars are required to:

• maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 or greater in order to keep early acceptance status. If, after any pre-nursing coursework, your cumulative GPA at the end of each semester falls below 3.2 or if a grade of “D” or “F” is received in a prerequisite course, applicant will receive a letter indicating that their early acceptance status has been rescinded and they will need to submit a new nursing application for regular acceptance into the program after they have completed (or are currently enrolled in) all general studies and nursing support courses (prerequisites).
• maintain continuous full-time enrollment (12 credit hours or more) at MWSU.
• complete all general studies and nursing support courses (prerequisites) prior to starting the nursing program. These courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. (Refer to college catalog for list of these courses). All nursing support courses must be taken at MWSU (excluding dual credit).
• complete all clinical compliance requirements prior to starting the nursing program.

General Information:

• Criminal background checks are required prior to beginning the nursing program in order to meet contractual obligations with clinical agencies (pursuant to Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 660.317). An applicant who has been found guilty of a Class A or B Felony would not be allowed to participate in clinical nursing courses, therefore, would not be able to complete nursing degree requirements. Some clinical agencies have more stringent requirements.
• You must be eligible to lawfully gain employment in the U.S.
• Provisions of Section 335.046 State of Missouri Nursing Practice Act states: “Applicants from non-English speaking lands shall be required to submit evidence of proficiency of the English Language.” Refer to the Missouri State Board of Nursing website at: http://pr.mo.gov/nursing.asp.

Approved 11/4/22