News

Your source for breaking news at Missouri State-West Plains

You are here: Home / Facebook / First day enrollment figures announced
TODAY WAS THE FIRST day of classes at Missouri State University-West Plains, and to help students feel at home, a committee of students and staff scheduled a variety of fun activities during the first week – Welcome Week – to let each student know “You Belong.” Above, sophomore Zeke Webb, right, welcomes fellow Ellsinore resident and first-year student Dionna Ship to campus. (Missouri State-West Plains Photo)

First day enrollment figures announced

The number of online and dual credit/dual enrollment students increased.

by

A total of 1,558 students began classes Monday morning for the first day of the 2019 fall semester at Missouri State University-West Plains, university officials announced.

That is the number of students enrolled as of Sunday evening, Aug. 18, the end of the regular registration period for the fall semester. Last year, 1,594 students were enrolled for the first day.

Today’s figures included enrollment numbers from Missouri State-West Plains’ extended campus in Mountain Grove, online courses and early enrollees in the dual credit/dual enrollment classes being offered this fall at several area high schools.

“Smaller high school enrollments and low unemployment rates have led to significant enrollment decreases at two-year colleges across Missouri, so we’re pleased to see only a 2% difference from our tally last year,” Missouri State-West Plains Chancellor Shirley Lawler said.

“We’re encouraged to see increases in our online enrollment and in our dual credit programs at area high schools, and we’re excited about the potential enrollment growth in some of our newer academic programs, especially in the allied health and technology areas, which are filling a need for trained employees in our area,” she added.

Increases seen in online, dual credit students

Students taking online courses rose from 901 on the first day of the 2018 fall semester to 1,052 today. And, the number of students taking classes through dual credit increased from 310 last fall to 326 today.

Official enrollment numbers will come on the census date, the 20th day of class after the extended registration periods for dual credit/dual enrollment at area high schools and the Viticulture and Enology Science and Technology Alliance (VESTA) programs.

Missouri State Outreach numbers

In addition to these students, 114 students are enrolled in the bachelor’s and master’s degree courses offered on site and via Zoom Web Conferencing by Missouri State University’s Outreach Program on the West Plains campus.

For more information about Missouri State-West Plains, its programs and registration deadlines, call 417-255-7955.