Opening day enrollment numbers at Missouri State University are up from last fall.

Following increased enrollment numbers for the spring and summer semesters, Missouri State University’s Springfield Campus will open the fall semester with 18,826 students, a 0.5 percent increase. Enrollment on opening day at Missouri State-West Plains is 1,894, up 1 percent from last year, when 1,875 students were enrolled for classes on opening day.

Official census is taken on the 20^th day of classes. Official enrollment reports will be available Sept. 20. Official system enrollment has increased 14 of 16 years from 1995 to 2011.

“We are very pleased with the first-day enrollment numbers,” said Missouri State Interim President Clifton M. Smart III.  “Increasing enrollment was a priority this year and our faculty and staff worked very hard to make this a reality. I am pleased that their hard work has produced results.

“I am especially pleased that we are making progress on some specific goals, including increasing our graduate enrollment and increasing our diversity. The increases in those areas are impressive. Given the decline in high school graduates, we held our own with new freshmen, too.”

The number of graduate students increased by 123, from 3,082 to 3,205, a 4 percent increase over last year. The number of historically underrepresented students is up 12.5 percent, from 1,802 to 2,027. In addition, health-related courses like nursing, cell and molecular biology, athletic training and psychology showed strong enrollment numbers.

“The College of Health and Human Services implemented two new programs this fall, a Master of Science in athletic training and a dietetic internship graduate certificate. We also increased the capacity of several programs including nursing, physical therapy and physician assistant studies to help meet the need for health professionals, both locally and nationally,” said Dr. Helen Reid, College of Health and Human Service dean.

Another area that had a substantial enrollment increase is the Darr School of Agriculture. “We are elated with the increases that we have been experiencing and particularly in of our freshmen class this fall,” said Dr. Anson Elliott, head of the Darr School of Agriculture. “These increases are very welcome as there are increased demands for our graduates in the many careers available in the food industry.”

Late registration will continue on the Springfield campus through Aug. 24, and registration in high school dual credit courses and other special courses will continue through early September.

Missouri State remains the second largest university in the state. Many improvements await students this fall including the Foster Family Recreation Center.

Don Simpson, associate vice president for enrollment management, encourages high school seniors who are interested in Missouri State to apply early in their senior year. For information on admission and registration at the Springfield campus, call (417) 836-5517 or (800) 492-7900 or visit Missouri State on the web at www.missouristate.edu.

For information on the Missouri State-West Plains campus, call (417) 255-7955 or visit www.wp.missouristate.edu.

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