Enrollment number, new programs announced at Missouri Southern

(From Southern News Service)

Enrollment numbers for the Fall 2021 semester have been announced at Missouri Southern State University. There are currently 4,358 students enrolled in classes.

“We are committed to the success of each and every one of our outstanding students,” said Dr. Dean Van Galen, president of Missouri Southern.

The fall semester saw the rollout of several new programs and initiatives.

The university launched the new MOSO Merit Scholarship for first-time freshmen. 276 freshmen will be awarded nearly $1 million this academic year.

Students meeting the criteria for the Premier-level scholarship are eligible to receive $20,000 toward tuition costs – $2,500 per semester, renewable for eight consecutive semesters. Gold-level recipients are awarded $14,000, while those in the Green level receive $8,000.

This fall, Missouri Southern welcomed the first cohort of students in the new Global Leaders program.

Students are invited to participate in Global Leaders based on a combination of ACT and GPA scores. Each participating student will have access to $4,000 in private funds that can be used toward international travel, leadership development, undergraduate research or travel to academic conferences.

The Nursing Department has rolled out an updated and revised curriculum this fall, one that will ensure graduates are prepared to meet the demands of the challenging field. The MSSU program currently has 65 students, with another 80 students on the pre-nursing track.

The innovative curriculum utilizes current models of clinical judgment with an emphasis on reflective practice, reasoning skills, and partnering with students as they progress through the program. The focus is on interprofessional education, with the addition of several electives based upon the student's preference of specialty areas such as mental health or critical care.

The department recently announced a substantial gift from an anonymous donor which will help create a healthcare virtual reality simulation lab. It is expected to be ready for the start of the Fall 2022 semester.