WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Enrollment at Missouri State University-West Plains increased 1 percent this fall, according to official enrollment statistics for the 2013 fall semester.
The figures show 2,123 students are taking classes at the university this fall compared to last year’s overall tally of 2,102 students, university officials said.
“We are excited that Missouri State-West Plains is growing,” Chancellor Drew Bennett said. “We expect even more growth as more and more people across the state realize the value provided by the quality of our program compared to its very low cost.”
Enrollment figures show the number of degree-seeking students rose by 1.3 percent, with 1,655 students enrolled this semester compared to 1,633 in fall 2012. The bulk of the increase in this category came from new transfer students, which rose 20.3 percent. In addition, the number of high school dual credit and dual enrollment students rose 11.9 percent and 16.7 percent, respectively.
University officials also noted increases in the number of credit hours being taken at the West Plains campus, by high school dual credit students, and online. Students attending classes at the West Plains campus are taking 13,685 credit hours, a 5.6 percent jump over last year’s total of 12,962. Dual credit students are enrolled in 1,115 credit hours, a 24 percent increase over 899 hours last fall. Enrollment in online classes rose 10.2 percent, going from 4,063 credit hours in 2012 to 4,479 credit hours this fall.
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. In addition, the enrollment tally includes students taking classes through dual credit/dual enrollment programs at area high schools, and through the Missouri Sheriff’s Association Training Academy, which, under an agreement with the university, offers a peace officers basic training program that can be applied to meet part of the required credit hours for the university’s Associate of Applied Science in Law Enforcement degree program.
In addition to the 2,123 students enrolled in Missouri State-West Plains courses this fall, 122 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 2,245 students are being served by Missouri State-West Plains.