Oct. 6, 2026
Contact: Shayne Martin, shayne.martin@missouri.edu
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Some Missouri high school students will begin their senior year already knowing they have a place at the University of Missouri.
Mizzou is launching a new Early College Direct Admission Pathway that guarantees admission to qualifying students in five Missouri school districts.
The inaugural partner districts are Columbia Public Schools, Farmington School District, Lee’s Summit R-7 School District, Liberty Public Schools and North Kansas City Schools.
Students in designated Early College programs within those districts will qualify for guaranteed admission to Mizzou if they earn a minimum core GPA of 3.0 and complete at least 12 college credit hours by the end of their junior year. They will not have to submit a traditional application or pay an application fee. Eligible students will be notified by no later than Aug. 1 prior to their senior year.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to creating clear, attainable pathways to higher education for Missouri students,” said Steve Robinson, vice provost for enrollment management. “We are proud to partner with these school districts to recognize that achievement and provide students with an early pathway to Mizzou. These are highly prepared students who before they even become seniors have the confidence of knowing they’re guaranteed admission to one of the best universities in the nation.”
Early College programs allow high school students to earn college credit while completing their high school diplomas. Many participants graduate with significant college credit, and some earn an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree before leaving high school.
Students must meet academic eligibility requirements established by both their school district program and the partnering college before entering an Early College program. Once enrolled, they complete college-level coursework alongside their high school requirements.
Mizzou’s new admission pathway recognizes students who have demonstrated college readiness by providing qualifying students with a direct path to admission.
"By providing this option for top-performing Missouri high school students, Mizzou reaffirms its commitment to its land-grant mission," said Matthew Martens, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs. "Working alongside school districts that prioritize college access, we help students and their families envision a clear path from high school to a Mizzou degree."
Students who complete an Associate of Arts degree before enrolling at Mizzou will have satisfied the university’s general education requirements, allowing them to move more quickly into coursework associated with their chosen major. Students earning other associate degrees or college credits will have their coursework evaluated toward applicable Mizzou degree requirements.
The five inaugural school district partners represent some of the largest districts that offer Early College programs across Missouri. Mizzou plans to expand the program through partnerships with other Missouri school districts whose established programs or academics meet the pathway’s requirements.
