Spring 2025 Hours of Operation
January 21 – May 9
Closed January 20 (MLK Day), March 15-23 (Spring Break)
In-Person Appointments
Monday – Thursday– 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday – 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Online Appointments
Appointments available daily 6 a.m. – midnight
Based on tutor availability
For in-person or online content tutoring and online math and
writing tutoring, schedule appointments via TracCloud
Director’s Welcome
Welcome to the Center for Academic Support! The CAS staff of professionals and peer tutors is dedicated to helping Missouri Western students succeed by providing a wide range of free tutoring services. Our services include one-on-one and small group tutoring in math, writing, and discipline-specific course content. We also offer Supplemental Instruction for designated courses each semester. The CAS clientele ranges from first-year students to graduate-level students, from students who are struggling academically to students who have 4.0 GPAs and want to keep them. Our ultimate goal is to provide a helpful environment where students can work to become independent learners and thinkers. –Susan Garrison, CAS Director
CAS Overview
The Center for Academic Support (CAS) provides one-on-one and small group tutoring for most courses on campus. Located on the northeast corner of the library building, the Center consists of group study spaces and a large open area for students to receive tutoring or work independently.
The CAS offers free tutoring in math, writing, and specific courses. In addition to these services, students have access to Supplemental Instruction (SI) and workshops sponsored by the Center. Flashcards and handouts are also available.
Our Mission
The Center for Academic Support provides Missouri Western State University students with quality, academic assistance and educational resources to prepare them to become successful, efficient, and independent learners.
Our Vision
The Center for Academic Support aims to provide comprehensive assistance to all students throughout any point of their academic journey at Missouri Western State University.
Writing
The CAS provides trained peer tutors who assist with writing in all academic disciplines at Missouri Western. However, writing tutorials are not for coursework exclusively; students can also come to the Center for help with resumes, cover letters, and applications for scholarships. Our tutors work with students one-on-one for half-hour sessions, focusing on any aspect of the writing process. In addition, students can submit papers online via TracCloud and have a tutor review their assignment and provide feedback within 2 business days. Handouts covering a variety of writing topics are available for student use are also available in print or digitally.
Math
Math tutoring is available for math courses from Contemporary Problem Solving (MAT 110) through Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (MAT 167). Assistance is also available for math concepts in other general studies courses. Tutors are hired only after being recommended by faculty, and all are trained in tutoring techniques. So that students will receive the attention they deserve, we schedule a math tutor with no more than three students at one time. Tutors assist students by explaining concepts and working sample problems. The Center also provides handouts which cover specific math topics which have proven difficult for students in the past.
Content
Content tutoring is a term used to describe tutoring for subject areas other than general studies mathematics or writing. This type of tutoring is scheduled online via TracCloud and can be for virtually any course in any catalog. Students can search for and schedule tutoring appointments based on their current enrollments; all tutoring takes place in the Center or online via Zoom.
Supplemental Instruction
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a series of weekly review sessions for students taking historically challenging courses. SI sessions are provided for students who want to improve their understanding of course material and improve their grades. SI leaders partner with faculty to better serve the student as a whole.
Center for Academic Support Services
Writing
The CAS provides trained peer tutors who assist with writing in all academic disciplines at Missouri Western. However, writing tutorials are not for coursework exclusively; students can also come to the Center for help with resumes, cover letters, and applications for scholarships. Our tutors work with students one-on-one for half-hour sessions, focusing on any aspect of the writing process. In addition, students can submit papers online via TracCloud and have a tutor review their assignment and provide feedback within 2 business days. Handouts covering a variety of writing topics are available for student use are also available in print or digitally.
Math
Math tutoring is available for math courses from Contemporary Problem Solving (MAT 110) through Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (MAT 167). Assistance is also available for math concepts in other general studies courses. Tutors are hired only after being recommended by faculty, and all are trained in tutoring techniques. So that students will receive the attention they deserve, we schedule a math tutor with no more than three students at one time. Tutors assist students by explaining concepts and working sample problems. The Center also provides handouts which cover specific math topics which have proven difficult for students in the past.
Content
Content tutoring is a term used to describe tutoring for subject areas other than general studies mathematics or writing. This type of tutoring is scheduled online via TracCloud and can be for virtually any course in any catalog. Students can search for and schedule tutoring appointments based on their current enrollments; all tutoring takes place in the Center or online via Zoom.
Supplemental Instruction
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a series of weekly review sessions for students taking historically challenging courses. SI sessions are provided for students who want to improve their understanding of course material and improve their grades. SI leaders partner with faculty to better serve the student as a whole.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Any Missouri Western State University student can receive tutoring for courses they are currently taking.
All of the services the CAS provides are FREE for MWSU students!
Appointments are strongly suggested for math and writing, but we do take walk-ins if slots are available. Appointments are required for all content and online tutoring. Appointments can be scheduled via TracCloud.
When you come to the CAS for an appointment, you should bring your MWSU ID and any materials that will be useful for your tutoring session: textbook, class notes, assignment sheet, calculator, etc.
If you are unable to make your content appointment or online math or writing appointment please let us know by cancelling on TracCloud. If your appointment is scheduled to begin in less than 12 hours, please also email the tutor directly.
If you are unable to make your in-person math or writing appointment, please call the CAS at (816) 271-4524 to let us know.
Making an appointment with a math tutor is the first step. In-person appointments with math tutors for MAT110E-MAT167 can be scheduled by calling (816) 271-4524 or stopping by the CAS. Online appointments can be scheduled via TracCloud. We also take walk-ins if slots are available. Appointments for math courses above MAT167 can be made with a content tutor.
Math tutors will assist with concepts presented in class, calculator questions, and will work additional example problems with the student. The tutors rotate among students offering assistance in these areas and then give students time to process and practice the concepts on their own. Tutors will then return to check again with students for understanding. The goal is to help students become independent learners.
To make an in-person appointment for writing, you can call (816) 271-4524 or stop by the CAS. We also take walk-ins if slots are available. Online writing appointments can be scheduled via TracCloud.
Writing tutors will assist you with any phase of the writing process, including help with correctness. What happens during a 30-minute appointment will depend on where you are in the writing process. Tutors could assist with any of the following:
- Topic choice
- Pre-writing strategies
- Organization
- Supporting detail
- Adherence to assignment guidelines
- Editing techniques
At the end of the session, tutors will encourage clients to make the appropriate revisions and then come back for a follow-up appointment. A Writing Tutorial Summary describing what occurred in the session will be sent to the student’s instructor after each appointment, unless the student wishes for the appointment to remain confidential.
Writing tutors also assist clients with non-class-related writing such as resumes, cover letters, applications for scholarships, or personal statements for admission into graduate school.
Absolutely! Content tutors are available for potentially any other course that would not be covered by math and writing. You can view the list of current content tutors by navigating to the “Content” page of the CAS Website. All content appointments can be scheduled via TracCloud.
If the class you need help with is not listed, call or stop by the CAS to request a tutor for that class or fill out a Content Tutor Request form. It can take up to two weeks to find, hire, and train a tutor, so if you think you will need a tutor, request one early!
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a series of weekly review sessions for students taking historically challenging courses. SI is provided for students who want to improve their understanding of course material and improve their grades. SI Leaders will provide times and updates for sessions in class or on Canvas. You will not be able to find meeting times on TracCloud.
Attendance is voluntary. The SI leader does not teach the session but acts as a guide and resource for learning. SI is a chance for you to get together with other people in the class to compare notes, discuss important concepts, develop strategies for studying the subject, and to test yourself before your professor does, so that when he/she does, you’ll be ready. View a current list of our SI meeting times.
Study groups do meet in the CAS. They are often, although not always, led by a content tutor. If you are interested in using our facilities for a regular study group meeting, please contact us at (816) 271-4524.
When clients come for writing assistance, we complete a Writing Tutorial Summary, documenting what was covered in the session. A copy of the summary is emailed to the instructor, unless students prefer their instructors not know about the visit.
If students want their professors to know they have come in for other tutoring, we can provide that information as requested.
Some professors do ask us whether or not students have used the CAS. For example, some math professors want to know which of their students have come for math tutoring. We send those professors weekly usage reports.
No. All in-person tutoring takes place at the CAS during our normal operating hours. If you sign up for online sessions on TracCloud, those will take place on Zoom.