WEST PLAINS, Mo. – A total of 1,951 students are enrolled this fall at Missouri State University-West Plains, according to official enrollment statistics for the 2016 fall semester.
This figure is 2.1 percent less than last year’s overall tally of 1,993 students at the close of business on the university’s official census day – 20th day of the semester, university officials said.
Although the number of students is down, those students are taking more hours this fall. Statistics show students are enrolled in a total of 18,910 credit hours, up 3.9 percent over last year’s tally of 18,204.
“We are pleased that our credit hours increased,” Chancellor Drew Bennett said. “This indicates we are being successful in our efforts to recruit and retain full-time students. In contrast, part-time student enrollment in programs like dual credit and special training programs tend to fluctuate each semester. Most of the enrollment decrease this fall semester can be attributed to a training program last fall with more than 100 Head Start employees enrolled in specific child and family development courses for professional development. Also, we recently revised our attendance policy, which affected our numbers slightly this fall, but we believe these changes will result in higher retention and graduation numbers in the future.
Missouri State-West Plains’ final overall enrollment figure includes students taking classes on the university’s campuses in West Plains and Mountain Grove, as well as online, through dual credit/dual enrollment programs at area high schools, and through the Viticulture and Enology Science and Technology Alliance (VESTA) of which Missouri State-West Plains is a member.
In addition to the 1,951 students enrolled in Missouri State-West Plains courses this fall, 121 students are enrolled in the bachelor’s and master’s level courses offered at the West Plains campus through Missouri State-Springfield’s Outreach office. When Outreach’s figures are added to those for Missouri State-West Plains, a total of 2,072 students are being served by Missouri State-West Plains.