Admissions
Your next chapter starts here.
Whether you’re finishing high school, bringing credits from another college, applying from another country, or ready for a master’s degree, we’ll help you find your path into Missouri Valley University and take the next step with confidence.
Find your path
Which student are you?
Choose the option that fits you to see what you’ll need, what happens next, and where to find the details.
Start college ready to grow
You want a place where people know your name and help you figure out what comes next. Here’s how to get started.
What you’ll need
- Your online application
- An official high school transcript showing graduation (or HSE/GED results)
- ACT or SAT scores only if your GPA is 2.0–2.29, you’re homeschooled, or you’re applying for academic scholarships
What happens next
- Admissions reviews your application and transcript.
- With a 2.3 GPA or higher, you receive regular admission.
- Below 2.3? You may still be admitted, with support built in to help you succeed.
Test scores can still help with math and English placement and with academic scholarships.
Bring your credits with you
You’ve already put in the work. We’ll help you see how it counts toward your MVU degree.
What you’ll need
- Your online application
- Official transcripts from every college you’ve attended
- Fewer than 27 transferable hours? Also send your high school transcript (or HSE/GED results)
How your credits count
- 27 or more transferable hours and a 2.3 GPA means automatic admission
- An Associate of Arts or Missouri CORE 42 completes MVU’s general education core
- Courses with a grade of D or higher from accredited schools can transfer
Residency and degree requirements still apply. See the full transfer student guide. Returning to MVU after time away? See returning students.
Take your career further
You’re ready to lead, specialize, or change direction. Start with the general requirements, then check your program’s page for anything extra.
General requirements
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5
- No GRE needed with a 3.0 GPA or higher; otherwise a combined score of 290
- An updated resume
What happens next
- Apply at least three weeks before the term you plan to start.
- Send official transcripts (and GRE scores, if needed).
- Your file is reviewed once everything arrives.
Some programs have their own requirements and deadlines. Up to 6 graduate credit hours with a B or better may transfer in.
Your degree, your adventure
Students from around the world call MVU home. We’ll guide you from your application to your I-20 to your first day in Marshall.
First-year requirements
- High school graduation with at least a 2.3 GPA (4.0 scale). Finished high school outside the U.S.? Send an InCred evaluation of your credentials.
- English proficiency: TOEFL 68, IELTS 6.5, or Duolingo 60. Not needed if English is the primary language of your country.
- A copy of your passport and proof that you can cover your costs
Good to know
- There’s no set deadline, but send your documents at least 60 days before your first semester
- Still building your English? With TOEFL 40–67 or IELTS 5.5–6.0, you can start through the Life @ MVU Pathway Program with ESL support
- Transferring? You’ll need a 2.3 college GPA and an InCred evaluation of any coursework from outside the U.S.
- International students enroll full time: at least 12 credit hours a semester (9 for graduate students)
Admitted with a Duolingo score? You’ll take an English placement test when you arrive. Required documents differ for first-year, transfer, and graduate students; the International Students page has step-by-step guides.
Earn your degree around your life
Work, family, and busy schedules are real. Online programs let you keep moving toward your goal without putting everything else on hold.
Ways to study online
- Online bachelor’s options, including RN to BSN
- Online and hybrid master’s programs
- Short micro-credentials that stack toward a degree
How to start
- Find an online program that fits your goal.
- Apply as a first-year, transfer, or graduate student.
- Send your transcripts so credits you’ve already earned can count.
Already working? See programs for working professionals.
Get a head start in high school
Take college courses now and arrive with credit already on your transcript.
Why it helps
- Earn college credit before you graduate high school
- Get a feel for college-level work
- Your credits can count toward a degree at MVU
How to start
- Talk with your high school counselor.
- Review eligibility and courses on the Dual Credit page.
- Register for your classes.
Programs
Find the program that fits your goals
From associate degrees to master’s degrees, choose your path, add a minor, or stack a micro-credential. Select a number to see those programs.
- 46Bachelor’s programsMajors and concentrations across five schoolsSee bachelor’s programs →
- 7Master’s programsBusiness, counseling, education, exercise science, and nursingSee master’s programs →
- 4Associate degreesTwo-year degrees that can lead into a bachelor’sSee associate degrees →
- 24MinorsPair a second interest with your majorSee minors →
- 6Micro-credentialsShort, focused skill sets you can stackSee micro-credentials →
- 4Teaching certificationsAdd-on certifications that expand what you can teachSee certifications →
How it works
Four steps to becoming a Viking
Most students follow the same simple path, and your admissions counselor can help at every step.
01
Explore
Find programs that match what you want to do and who you want to become.
04
Get ready
Once you’re admitted, plan how you’ll pay and get ready for orientation.
Visit
See yourself at MVU
The best way to know if a place fits is to walk around it. Choose the visit that works for you.
Personal Visit
Meet one-on-one with an admissions counselor and talk with faculty in your area of interest.
Discover Marshall
Get to know the town you’ll call home, from local favorites to the free Viking Shuttle.
Planning how to pay?
Scholarships, grants, loans, and costs have their own home. Our Financial Aid team will walk you through every option.
Questions
Common admission questions
Quick answers to what students ask most. The catalog has the official policies.
Do I need ACT or SAT scores?
Not if you have a 2.3 high school GPA or higher. Scores are required if your GPA is 2.0–2.29, if you’re homeschooled, or if you’re applying for academic scholarships. Scores can also help with math and English placement.
What if my GPA is below the standard?
Apply anyway. Every application is reviewed individually, and students who show they can succeed may be admitted with conditions, such as a lighter course load or extra academic support.
When should I apply?
As early as you can in the year before you plan to start. Graduate applications are due at least three weeks before your first term, and some programs set their own deadlines. International students should send documents at least 60 days before the semester begins.
Will my college credits transfer?
Credits from accredited colleges with a grade of D or higher can transfer to an undergraduate degree, and an Associate of Arts or Missouri CORE 42 completes the general education core. Graduate students can transfer up to 6 hours with a B or better.
I attended MVU before, or I’m enrolled at another college. How do I apply?
Returning students can reapply after being away for at least one semester. Students enrolled elsewhere can take courses at MVU as visiting students. See returning and visiting students.
Where can I find the official admission policies?
In the Admission section of the 2026–27 Catalog & Handbook.
Office of Admissions
Talk with Admissions
Have a question? We’re here to help you every step of the way.
660-831-4114
admissions@moval.edu
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Marshall, Missouri
Meet our team
Your admissions counselors.
Questions about applying, visiting, or transferring? Reach out to anyone on our team. We’ll help you with your next step.
Ready when you are.
The application takes just a few minutes, and your admissions counselor will take it from there.