Admissions Requirements

Admissions of Students with Criminal Histories

Missouri State University-West Plains (University) subscribes to an open admissions concept in order to provide full educational opportunities to prospective students. All applications shall include a question regarding an applicant’s prior disciplinary and criminal history.

If a student responds affirmatively, the Judicial Review Committee (as described in this policy) will review information provided by the applicant and may request additional information and a personal interview with the applicant prior to reaching an admissions decision.

The University reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant, or admit with restrictions based upon this review. Failure to provide accurate and honest information in the admission's process may result in denial of admission, rescission of admission prior to enrollment with the University.  Any student who fails to provide information regarding prior disciplinary and/or criminal history when applying to the University, and such omission is discovered after the student's enrollment, will be subject to conduct charges and consequences that may include suspension, or dismissal.

As used in this Policy, the Judicial Review Committee will be comprised of West Plains’ faculty and Student Services staff as designated by the Vice Chancellor of Student Services. The University may set application deadlines in order to provide the Judicial Review Committee sufficient time to review applications for admissions indicating criminal histories. Application deadline information will be indicated on the University’s admissions/application website.

Line of authority

Responsible administrator and office: Vice Chancellor of Student Services

Contact person in that office: Director of Admissions

Chancellor Update Approval – September 30, 2026