Admission Procedures

If you want to apply for admission to the University of Missouri–Columbia and enroll as a degree-seeking student in the online bachelor of general studies degree completion program, follow these steps:

1. Make sure you meet the requirements for the online BGS completion program found here.
2. Complete the Application for Transfer Undergraduate Admission.* There are two ways to fill out the application: completely online, or a text-only version where you enter your information online, then print the form and mail it in. Online application**     Printable application form  * If you have previously attended MU (at any time in the past) you need to fill out the
   Request for Re–admission form. You do not need to fill out a new Application for Undergraduate Admission or submit an application fee. Note: On question 13 of the re–enrollment form or on question 19 of the application, where it asks for your "intended academic major" and the "academic major code," make sure you enter the following information: Your intended academic major for this program is "General Studies—Online" and the academic major code is "2656."  When filling out the online version of the application, you will only need to enter your intended academic major of General Studies—Online.
3. If you complete the Undergraduate Transfer Admission Application, a nonrefundable $45 application fee must accompany your application. If you complete the application online, you will be required to pay the application fee online with a valid MasterCard, VISA or Discover credit card. If you mail in your completed application, your $45 check (made payable to the University of Missouri) should be mailed with the application to: Office of Admissions, 230 Jesse Hall, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO  65211.
4. Arrange for official transcripts from previously attended colleges/universities to be sent directly to: MU Admissions Office, 230 Jesse Hall, Columbia, MO 65211. When requesting official transcripts from all previously attended colleges, you may want to request a student copy for yourself to be used for advising when you are first entering the degree program. Note: Transcripts that are marked “issued to student” or faxed transcripts are not considered official. Your previous school(s) must send your official transcripts directly to the Office of Admissions.
5. If you would like to discuss this degree program and whether it is right for you before you apply to the University and pay the application fee, please contact Ehren Oncken with the Center for Distance & Independent Study at 1-800-609-3727 or e-mail him at OnckenE@missouri.edu.

Note: All credentials submitted for admission will be retained by MU.

** The online application requires Internet Explorer 5.0 or a later version. If you have an earlier version of this browser or a browser other than Internet Explorer, or your computer is unable to support this software, the entire online application form may not appear on your screen. Try using the text-only version of the application instead.

BGS Admission Requirements and Procedures (PDF)

Procedures for non-degree enrollment

If you want to take individual, university-level courses for personal or career enrichment (and not be part of the bachelor of general studies degree program) you will be considered a non-degree student.

After sampling CDIS course offerings, you may want to apply for admission to the degree program. The courses you have taken with CDIS as a non-degree student may count toward the BGS degree; however, a minimum of 30 hours in MU courses must be completed after admission as a degree–seeking student. To find out what courses will count toward the BGS degree in the future, please consult Ehren Oncken with the Center for Distance & Independent Study at 1-800-609-3727 or e-mail him at OnckenE@missouri.edu.