Academic Services

International Services

The Office of International Services is responsible for recruiting, processing, advising, and accounting for all international students on the MSU Texas campus. The international student profile at MSU Texas has both grown and diversified significantly over the years. Midwestern State University actively recruits qualified students from all over the world.

MSU Texas takes pride in the personal attention accorded to every international student. Once a student has been admitted, the Office of International Services will assist them with the F-1 visa process. The staff corresponds with students by telephone and e-mail, and guides them through the immigration process. Prior to arrival, students are assisted with travel arrangements. Current staff and student ambassadors also meet students at Wichita Falls Municipal Airport and assist them in making a smooth transition to student life.

Our international student body is extremely successful academically. The graduation and graduate school placement rates are exemplary. The Office of International Services works to ensure that all of our students have the opportunity to achieve optimum success.

See International Student Admission  for more information on admission requirements. Please visit our website at https://msutexas.edu/student-life/international/.

Texas Success Initiative

The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is a program which was developed by the 78^th Texas State Legislature under which all undergraduate students, other than those exempted*, who enter Texas public institutions of higher education must be tested for reading, writing, and mathematics skills prior to enrolling in any college-level course.

The TSI test for new students (or transfer students from private or out-of-state colleges) is the TSI Assessment. The former TSI tests of Accuplacer, Asset, Compass, or THEA/TASP, may still be able to be used for TSI purposes for former MSU students or transfer students from Texas public colleges who tested prior to August 24, 2013. Official scores should be sent to the MSU Registrar’s Office for determination.

Students who must take the TSI Assessment are first required to complete the online Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA).  The PAA gives information about the TSI Assessment, what to expect, sample questions, and resources which MSU offers.  The link to the PAA may be found on the TSI website at http://msutexas.edu/registrar/success.

Students who take the TSI Assessment at another institution must have the official scores sent to MSU directly by the issuing institution. An institution may not use performance on the test as a condition of admission into the institution.

*Exemptions

The following groups are exempt from meeting TSI requirements.

1. Students with ACT composite⁺ score of 23 or higher, with individual math and/or English scores of no less than 19. (Scores must be no more than 5 years old.) (Meeting the composite and English scores will exempt students from both the reading and writing TSI requirements.) Students must take the TSI Assessment for sections from which they are not exempt.
2. Students with SAT (taken prior to March 2016) combined⁺ score of 1070 or higher, with individual math and/or reading (formerly verbal section) scores of no less than 500. (Scores must be no more than 5 years old.) Institutional/residual SAT cannot be used for exemption. (Meeting the combined and reading scores will exempt students from both the reading and writing TSI requirements.) Students must take the TSI Assessment for sections from which they are not exempt.
   SAT (taken March 2016 and after) score of 480 or higher on the Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing and/or a 530 or higher on the Math section.  (Scores no more than 5 years old.)  Institutional/residual SAT cannot be used for exemption.  Students must take the TSI Assessment for sections from which they are not exempt.
3. Students with 11^th grade exit-level TAKS scores of 2200 or higher on math and/or 2200 or higher on English Language Arts with a written composition rating of at least 3. (Scores must be no more than 5 years old.) Students must take the TSI Assessment for sections from which they are not exempt. (Note: The English Language Arts and written composition sections must be met together. If neither or only one area is met, students must take both the reading and writing sections of a TSI test.)
4. Students with final recommendation Level II performance standard STAAR Algebra II score of 4000 or higher; English III Reading score of 2000 or higher; or English III Writing score of 2000 or higher; and/or English III, Reading and Writing combined score of 4000 or higher. (Scores must be no more than 5 years old.)  Students must take the TSI Assessment for sections from which they are not exempt.
5. Students who have an associate or bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
6. Students who are in the following military categories: a) active duty members of the Armed Forces of the United States; b) actively serving in the Texas National Guard; c) members of a Reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States for at least 3 years preceding enrollment; and d) students who on or after August 1, 1990, were honorably discharged, retired, or released from active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, Texas National Guard, or Reserve component.
7. Students transferring to MSU from accredited private, public, or out-of-state institutions with specified courses completed with grades of “C” or better may use the course(s) to clear the respective section(s) of the Texas Success Initiative. For more information regarding these courses, students should check the TSI website at http://msutexas.edu/registrar/success.
8. Students previously considered TSI exempt or complete from another Texas public institution will not have to meet additional TSI requirements.

⁺ The writing components of the ACT and the SAT (prior to March 2016) tests are not currently used in determining TSI exemptions.
 

NOTE: Transfer students should have all transcripts forwarded to MSU immediately so that MSU can determine if any previous college work clears them from a section or sections of the TSI requirement. If such proof is not provided prior to enrollment, the student must be tested.

Midwestern State University, as well as all state supported institutions in Texas, was required to file a Developmental Plan with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Included in this plan are MSU’s policies for TSI compliance. MSU requires a student whose performance is below the standard for the tested skills to participate continuously in a developmental program. “Continuously” means that during each semester in which a student is enrolled the student must participate and be enrolled in a developmental course or other developmental program provided by MSU. This is required until the student has passed the required developmental course(s) with a grade of “C” or better; or the student passes that section of the TSI Assessment. State policy does not allow developmental courses to be considered as credit toward completion of degree requirements.

Non-Course Based Options (NCBO) and co-requisite enrollment: Institutions are required to provide to certain students an alternative to developmental education courses, as well as expedited completion. The MSU Mathematics and English departments have developed these options for students meeting certain criteria. Students interested should contact these departments, or the professional academic counselor (advisor) in their colleges to see if they are eligible.

Temporary Exemptions and Other Special Testing Criteria

1. Students who are non-degree seeking may enroll on a temporary basis without meeting exemptions or being assessed. However, students are responsible for meeting all prerequisites of courses for which they enroll. Students in this category would include: a) Summer Guests - students who were at another college in the spring, and plan on returning there in the fall; and b) External - students who are not seeking a degree and may just need one or more courses for professional improvement or to transfer to another college to complete a degree elsewhere. External Students are limited to 9 hours of course work, with a maximum of 2 classes in a semester, 3 classes total.
2. Students who are residing out-of-state and are taking distance education internet courses only may temporarily delay their assessment. Many will eventually meet the transfer exemption requirements from an out-of-state college by the time they graduate. A hold remains on these students for monitoring of their progress. If they reach their ninetieth credit hour without completing TSI requirements, they will be required to take the TSI Assessment and enroll accordingly.
3. High school concurrent students who do not meet an exemption are required to take the TSI Assessment prior to enrolling. Students not achieving minimum passing standards are not allowed to enroll in college courses related to areas of the assessment not passed. In any case, if a student fails the reading section of the test, concurrent enrollment will not be allowed. While concurrently enrolled in high school, students will not be required to take developmental education in areas not passed. Note: State policy allows high school juniors seeking dual credit enrollment to be temporarily allowed to enroll concurrently if they meet certain levels of the STAAR. This temporary waiver is only for high school students seeking dual credit enrollment. Dual credit enrollment is taking college-level courses and receiving simultaneous academic credit for the courses from both MSU and the high school.

NOTE: The Texas Success Initiative is subject to change due to legislative action, actions of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and the MSU Board of Regents.

Intellectual Property Rights

Midwestern State University supports the development, production, and dissemination of intellectual property. Please refer to the university’s intellectual property rights policies for more information: https://msutexas.edu/human-resources/policy/3.1-faculty-policies/3.139-Intellectual_Prop_Rights.asp and https://msutexas.edu/human-resources/policy/3.1-faculty-policies/3.140-Int_Prop_Rights_Distance.asp.

Concurrent Enrollment at Other Institutions

MSU students seeking concurrent enrollment at other institutions will not be allowed without prior written permission of the Provost or a designee. The “Request for Concurrent Enrollment” form is available in the Office of the Registrar and online at http://msutexas.edu/registrar/concurrent.

Academic Standards

(Undergraduate)

It is desirable that students maintain at least a C (2.0) cumulative grade point average since that standard is required for graduation. Each student is responsible for knowing whether he/she is eligible to continue or enroll at the University. An ineligible student who nevertheless registers at the University will be withdrawn. The student shall not receive special consideration on the plea of lack of knowledge of academic status.

The following minimum academic standards have been established to assure that students make satisfactory progress toward graduation.

The total hours attempted for the purpose of determining the required minimum grade point average is the sum of Midwestern State University hours attempted and hours attempted at all other institutions attended, including developmental courses.

Earned hours are the hours earned at MSU and hours accepted in transfer. Higher education quality hours are all hours attempted at MSU and elsewhere, including developmental courses.

The cumulative grade point average is determined by dividing the total grade points earned at MSU (quality points) by the total hours attempted at MSU (quality hours). Grade point averages will be computed at the end of each semester or term. Prior to Fall 1996 developmental courses (ENGL 1003, ENGL 1013, MATH 0003 , MATH 1003 ) were not computed in the grade point average.

Table of Academic Standards

Students on probation or suspension who have restrictions on their registration status should contact the Office of Tutoring and Academic Support Programs.

Academic Probation

Academic probation is a warning that the level of performance must improve if the student expects to continue in the University. A student whose Midwestern State University cumulative grade point average falls below the standards stated in the Table of Academic Standards will be placed on academic probation.

Beginning and transfer freshman students who are on academic probation after their first semester at MSU are required to participate in the First Year Probation Program (see First Year Probation Program ).

A student on academic probation should take no more than 13 semester hours in a regular semester and no more than 6 semester hours in a summer term.

Continued Academic Probation

A student on academic probation who fails to raise the cumulative grade point average to the level outlined in the Table of Academic Standards but who earns a semester average of 2.0 (possible 4.0) or above will be on continued academic probation.

Academic Suspension and Dismissal

A student on academic probation who fails to raise the MSU cumulative grade point average to the required level and who fails to earn a 2.0 semester average will be placed on academic suspension. Suspension or dismissal will be posted to the academic record and will remain as a permanent entry.

Should the student be admitted to another institution while on suspension and then seek readmission to MSU, the transferred work must meet MSU academic requirements, or the student will be subject to further academic penalty at the time of readmission (See Admission by Transfer). Work completed at another institution while the student is on suspension from Midwestern State University will not decrease the suspension period or remove the student from academic probation at MSU.

Limits on Readmission

The Academic Readmission Committee reviews petitions for early reinstatement. A student will be allowed only one appeal during his/her academic career at MSU. If reinstatement is denied by the committee, the student may appeal the committee’s decision to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. The status will be reflected on the student’s MSU transcript.

First Academic Suspension

1. A student suspended at the close of the fall semester is eligible for readmission to the following summer session.
2. A student suspended at the close of the spring semester is eligible for readmission to the following spring semester. A student on first suspension is permitted to attend the following summer session at MSU and may be reinstated for the fall semester if he/she has earned a 2.0 grade point average and a minimum of 6 semester hours during the summer sessions.
3. At the close of each summer session, only an academic deficiency of probation will be assessed.

Second Academic Suspension is for a period of one calendar year beginning with the end of the semester that the suspension was assessed.

Third Academic Suspension results in academic dismissal, which is for a period of two calendar years beginning with the end of the semester that the suspension was assessed. The Academic Readmission Committee will not review a petition for reinstatement of a student in this category.

Permanent Academic Dismissal

Beginning with the Fall 2006 term, the MSU Board of Regents approved the permanent academic dismissal status. Students who are on the third academic dismissal from Midwestern State University will be assessed a permanent dismissal status. Students on permanent dismissal can petition the Academic Readmission Committee one time and be reinstated only under extraordinary circumstances. If reinstatement is denied by the committee, the student may appeal the committee’s decision to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. The status will be reflected on the student’s MSU transcript.

NOTE: It is strongly recommended that a student re-enrolling after a period of academic suspension take only repeats of Midwestern State University courses in which grades of D or F were previously awarded. Counseling is offered through the Counseling Center.

Readmission After Academic Suspension

A student whose suspension period has passed and who meets all requirements for readmission may re-enroll on academic probation. The student must submit a reactivation form or application for readmission and applicable fees by printed deadlines. If, at the end of the semester following readmission, the student’s academic performance does not meet the minimum academic standards or he/she does not have a current semester average of at least 2.0, the student will again be suspended. A student who has been on suspension at previous schools will maintain the suspension in his/her academic history.

Students who have been on suspension will be required to participate in the following programs during the first semester in which they enroll at MSU following their suspension:

1. MWSU 1003 - Skills for Success  unless the student has already successfully completed the course.
2. If the student has already earned credit for MWSU 1003 , TASP will enroll the student in the Scholastic Support Program offered by the Counseling Center.

TASP notifies the Counseling Center of students who have been allowed to return.

The policy regarding non-compliance of students participating in the First Year Probation Program or students who are readmitted after Academic Suspension is as follows:

1. Students who are in non-compliance with requirements of the First Year Probation Program waive the option of appeal to the Academic Readmission Committee for early reinstatement in the event they are suspended from the University. (see First Year Probation Program )
2. Students who have re-entered the University after Academic Suspension and are in non-compliance with University requirements waive the option of appeal to the Academic Readmission Committee for early reinstatement in the event they are again suspended from the University.

Petitions for Reinstatement

Written petitions for early reinstatement for a student on first or second academic suspension will be submitted to the Office of Tutoring and Academic Support Programs for referral to the Academic Readmissions Committee. The petition should be submitted by the printed deadline as indicated in the letter sent regarding the academic standing.  (A student may petition for early reinstatement only one time in his/her academic career at MSU.)

The Academic Readmissions Committee only meets prior to each regular registration period. The committee does not typically meet during late registration. Students should check the semester schedule of classes for specific meeting dates or contact the Office of Tutoring and Academic Support Programs.

Tutoring and Academic Support Programs (TASP)

Director: Ashley Hurst

The Office of Tutoring and Academic Support Programs provides opportunities for students to maximize their academic potential at MSU. This office provides drop-in tutoring, supplemental instruction, and first-year seminars designed to help students acclimate successfully to the demands of the college classroom.

Academic Advising. TASP provides academic advising for students who have not declared a major; all other students meet with the Academic Counselor for their college.

Tutoring Services.  TASP provides free tutoring to MSU students in a variety of subjects with no appointment needed on the first floor of Moffett Library in the Learning Center. An updated tutoring course list and schedule can be found here in the MSU portal.

Supplemental Instruction (SI). SI is an academic enrichment program that targets historically difficult academic courses and offers free peer-assisted study sessions to all students enrolled in a designated section of selected courses.

First-year Seminars. To enhance the academic and social integration of all first-year and transfer students at MSU, the following college-level course is recommended:

MWSU 1233 - College Connections  

Individual Review. Students who are admitted by individual review (see Individual Review ) may be required to enroll in MWSU 1233 . See schedule of classes.

For students who would benefit from an intensive program of academic assistance in developing individualized learning strategies, the following college-level course is recommended:

MWSU 1003 - Skills for Success  

First Year Probation Program. This is an early intervention program for beginning and transfer freshmen students who after their first semester at MSU are on academic probation (grade point average of less than 1.70 or 2.0 depending on number of hours). Re-enrolling students placed in this program at the end of the fall semester are required to enroll in MWSU 1003 - Skills for Success  and repeat two classes in which they received grades of D or F. Students who need to be full-time may choose additional classes, but may not register for more than 15 semester hours. Students placed in the program at the end of the spring semester may not enroll in more than 6 semester hours in a summer term, including at least one repeat (if available) and/or 15 semester hours in the following fall semester, including at least two repeat courses and MWSU 1003 - Skills for Success  .

Students who are in non-compliance* with requirements of the First Year Probation Program waive the option of appeal to the Academic Readmission Committee for early reinstatement in the event they are suspended from the University.

*Non-compliance with requirements of the First Year Probation Program consists of the student being assigned a “WF” or “F” as a result of an Instructor Drop in MWSU 1003  or withdrawal from a required repeat course.

Students who re-enter the University following academic suspension may be required to enroll in MWSU 1003 . This course is also highly recommended for all students placed on academic probation. Students who are required to enroll in MWSU 1003  may not drop the course with a “W”. Instructors may drop all students enrolled in the course with a “WF” or “F” at the discretion of the instructor. Students who have been required to enroll in the course who receive an Instructor Drop of “WF” or “F” must re-enroll in the course in the next semester in which they are registered since the course is a university requirement. (The course may not be offered Summer I or II, in which case students would enroll in the subsequent semester.)

For more information, please contact the Office of Tutoring and Academic Support Programs (940) 397-4461.

Student Support Services

The Student Support Services program is designed to assist undergraduate students who are low-income and first-generation or who have disabilities. The goal is to facilitate good academic standing, retention, and graduation of undergraduate students at Midwestern State University. Students receive academic tutoring; advice and assistance in postsecondary course selection; information on Federal student financial aid programs, including resources for locating public and private scholarships; assistance in completing financial aid applications; counseling services designed to improve financial and economic literacy, including financial planning for postsecondary education; engagement in a peer mentoring program; and activities designed to assist participants in applying for admission to and obtaining financial assistance for enrollment in graduate or professional programs.

Student Support Services is a part of a nationwide network of TRIO programs funded by the U.S. Department of Education. The program is open to accepted and enrolled Midwestern State University undergraduates who meet the eligibility criteria. The Director of Student Support Services reports directly to the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Testing Center

The MSU Testing Center administers and/or has information on the following exams: American College Test (ACT), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), correspondence exams, Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES), General Education Development Test (GED), Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), Graduate Record Examination (GRE), ScoreItNow! (Analytical Writing Test), Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI), High School Equivalency Test (HiSET), Law School Admission Test (LSAT), Miller Analogies Test (MAT), Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE), Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC), Texas Examination of Educator Standards (TExES), and TSI Assessment.

Individuals can access the Testing Center web page at https://msutexas.edu/testing. Students interested in any phase of testing services are invited to contact the MSU Testing Center at (940) 397-4676.

Distance Education

The Center for Distance Education coordinates MSU’s online courses and programs offering students an opportunity to earn college credit by participating in hyflex and fully online courses.

MSU offers more than 900 courses on the Internet either as supplements to traditional classroom format or as full web-based courses. Both undergraduate and graduate courses are offered via the Internet.