ACT Score Policy

ACT Scores for Teacher Education Students - March 1998

Since Missouri State University's admission standards have been strengthened, the Professional Education Unit has determined that there is no longer need for ACT minimum standards in Teacher Education apart from University admissions standards. However, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) requires that when Missouri State recommends a graduate for initial certification, we must furnish an ACT score for students who enrolled in college within one year of high school graduation and who took the test within the last five years. This leads to several possible situations.

• First time freshman, graduated from high school and enrolled in college within one year of graduation;

The student needs an ACT score for admission to Missouri State and for DESE.

• Freshman with a GED, 22 years of age or older;

The student does not need an ACT for admission to the University but may need the ACT for DESE.

• First time freshman, graduated from high school more than one year before entering college;

The student needs an ACT for admission to Missouri State but we do not need to report the score to DESE.

• Transfer student, graduated from high school within one year of entering college;

The student does not need an ACT for admission to Missouri State, but DESE will require it if the test had been taken within the previous five years.

• Transfer student, graduated from high school more than one year before entering college;

The Student does not need an ACT score for either admission or DESE.

 

For questions regarding this information, please call the Professional Education Advisement Center at (417) 836-5429.