Admission to Graduate Study
Northwest awards five master’s degrees. These are the Master of Arts in English or History; the Master of Business Administration (also MBAs with emphasis in Agricultural Economics and Information Technology Management); the Master of Music Education, the Master of Science in Agriculture, Biology, Geographic Information Science, Applied Computer Science, Applied Health and Sport Science, and Recreation; and a Master of Science in Education in Teaching: Agriculture, Early Childhood Education, English, Elementary Education, English Language Learners, History, Instructional Technology, Mathematics, Middle School, and Science Education; and Master of Science in Education in Secondary Teaching: individually designed program concentration. Also offered are Master of Science in Education in Elementary, Secondary or K-12 Educational Leadership, Guidance and Counseling, Health and Physical Education, Reading, Special Education and Teacher Leadership. Certificate programs are available in Geographic Information Science, Instructional Technology, Alternative Teaching Certificate, e-Teaching and English Language Learner/English as a Second Language Certificate (ELL/ESOL). Non-degree graduate study is offered in some areas.
Northwest also offers one post-master’s degree: the Specialist in Education, with programs for Superintendents, Elementary Principals and Secondary Principals.
To Apply:
Interested students should carefully complete the Application for Graduate Admission and forward official transcripts from each undergraduate institution attended, except Northwest, to the Northwest Graduate Office. Admission to graduate study is not the same as admission to a graduate program. Applications should be in the Graduate Office at least one month before the fall and spring trimesters or summer sessions. International applicants should allow approximately two months from the time of application until the completion of the admission process.
Graduate Requirements
Requirements are specifically stated in the Graduate Catalog.
Graduate Class Load
The maximum load is 16 hours in a trimester with no more than seven hours in a four-week summer session.
Graduate Fees
Courses taken for graduate credit are charged at the graduate rate. Courses taken for undergraduate credit are charged at the undergraduate rate.
Dual Enrollment of Northwest Seniors
Northwest seniors who have less than 30 semester hours to complete their baccalaureate degrees, and who need less than a full enrollment of required undergraduate courses in any term of their senior year, may petition to enroll for graduate level courses. Students must have at least a cumulative 2.50 GPA.
To enroll, complete the Petition for Dual Enrollment and submit to the Graduate Office at least one trimester prior to the anticipated dual enrollment. The maximum academic load for dually-enrolled students is 16 semester hours in a trimester with no more than seven semester hours in a four-week summer session. The student may not continue past 15 graduate hours unless he or she has met the requirements for admission and candidacy in the graduate program.
Northwest Outreach Centers
The mission of Northwest Outreach is to provide accredited, nationally recognized programs and professional development for place bound students. Faculty and adjunct instructors provide instruction for various programs, most of which may be completed at our Outreach Centers.
The Northwest Kansas City Center is located at 2601 NE Barry Road, Kansas City, MO. The University occupies multiple classrooms on the campus of Metropolitan Community College-Maple Woods. The Center has regular office hours Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Fridays are by appointment only. For more information, visit the Northwest Kansas City Center's website at www.nwmissouri.edu/kc.
The Northwest St. Joseph Center is located in the historic Green Acres Building, 3500 N. Village Dr., Suite 100 S, St. Joseph, MO. The Center has regular office hours Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Fridays are by appointment only. Classes and events may be held during alternate hours as requested. For more information contact the Northwest St. Joseph Center at (816) 364-5000 or visit www.nwmissouri.edu/stjoe.
Graduate Assistantships
Applications for graduate assistantships are available online at www.nwmissouri.edu/graduate/GAForm.htm and should be submitted by March 1 for the following school year.
Course Numbering
The 600-level courses are reserved for graduate students only, while 500-level courses are available for either graduate or undergraduate credit. The 700-level courses are reserved for students pursuing a Specialist in Education degree. The 800-level courses are reserved for those students pursuing the Ed.D. in Leadership.
For More Information
For further information on any aspect of the Northwest graduate program, consult the current Graduate Catalog, available online only at www.nwmissouri.edu/academics/catalog/pdf/cat1315_grad.pdf.