New students planning to enroll in 2025 summer session and/or fall semester classes at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) can sign up now for the university’s STudent Advising and Registration (STAR) Orientation.

Cindy Bridges, director of student advisement in the advising and academic support office, said first-time freshmen or transfer students with less than 10 credit hours must register for and complete one of these types of orientations:

• on-campus, in-person sessions set for May 21 and Aug. 1, 8 and 13.
• online sessions via the university’s Brightspace learning management system, which can be completed at any time

What is STAR Orientation?

STAR Orientations are designed to provide students with an introduction to the university and its services, policies and procedures, and to assist students in registering for their first semester.

During STAR, new students will receive information they need for a successful start to their collegiate career, Bridges said.

University administrators and staff members will present information about the campus and explain important topics including, but not limited to:

• financial aid
• student life and housing
• tutoring and other support services
• professional services
• academic programs
• degree planning

Advising office staff and faculty academic advisers will contact students to schedule either a phone, on-campus or Zoom advising and registration appointment. The appointment may be prior to, on or after the date the students complete STAR Orientation.

Students also will be provided with a checklist of additional tasks to complete prior to the start of their first classes, such as scheduling a visit with a financial aid representative, purchasing textbooks at Drago College Store, and obtaining a BearPass photo ID and parking permit.

“Once they complete all of these steps, students will be well prepared for the first day of classes,” Bridges said.

Summer session classes begin June 2. Fall semester classes begin Aug. 18.

Additional steps

Before attending an orientation, students must be admitted to the university and complete required placement testing.

For more information about the admissions process, call the MSU-WP admissions office at 417-255-7955 or email WPAdmissions@MissouriState.edu.

For more information about required testing, contact the testing services office at 417-255-7943 or email WPTesting@MissouriState.edu.

For more information about STAR Orientation sessions and how to register for an orientation session, contact the advising and academic support office at 417-255-7222, email WPAdvising@MissouriState.edu or complete the online form on the advising and academic support office website at WP.MissouriState.edu/STAR.

All university offices can be contacted toll free by calling 1-888-466-7897.