An applicant for admission to graduate study must hold a baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher learning accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency. The applicant must complete the Application for Admission to Graduate School. This form may be obtained online under "Apply Now". All undergraduate work toward the baccalaureate degree and any previous graduate work must be verified by official transcripts showing both the credit and grade earned. Admission to graduate study is not the same as admission to candidacy for a master’s degree. Each graduate program has specific admission policies in addition to the policies for admission to graduate study. Students needing special accommodations should contact the Graduate Office no less than 48 hours prior to attending Northwest Missouri State University. (See appropriate program in this catalog.)
Admission to the Ed.S. program requires completion of an Application for Admission to Graduate School. Students must also submit official copies of undergraduate and graduate transcript(s) showing evidence of a completed master’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution of higher education. A valid teaching certificate must also be filed. For regular admission, the minimum grade point average must be 3.25. Conditional admission is allowed if the student’s cumulative graduate GPA is between 3.00 and 3.24. The student must achieve a 3.25 GPA in his or her first eight or more semester hours of graduate study or be subject to suspension for one year. Re-admission is possible after one year by petition to be approved by the Ed.S. faculty, the dean of the College of Education and Human Services, and the Dean of the Graduate School. See the “College of Education and Human Services” section of this catalog in regard to letters of recommendation, screening procedures and other requirements.
See specific program requirements in this catalog.
Only students who are in good standing as graduate students at a regionally-accredited institution are eligible to apply as graduate transfer students.
No more than nine semester hours of graduate credit consisting of no more than four courses may be transferred for a graduate program. Transfer credit must be from a regionally-accredited institution. The acceptance of the full nine hours is conditional on the applicability to the student’s planned degree program. The student must be working on a specific master’s degree at Northwest and have completed the Degree Audit Agreement in order to receive consideration for eligible transfer credit. The student’s advisor must request, in writing, consideration of potential transfer credit from the Dean of the Graduate School. Transfer credit is not processed for non-degree or certification graduate students. Transfer credit applied toward a degree may not be older than eight years.
Only work evaluated “B” or above is acceptable for transfer credit and applicable to a specific master’s degree program. Coursework taken for ungraded credit cannot be used toward a degree. Official transcripts must show that the credit is at the graduate level. No transfer credit will be accepted for courses taken by correspondence.
A student working toward the Ed.S. degree may transfer up to eight semester hours of credit from a regionally-accredited institution offering the specialist degree, if the courses are appropriate and are approved by the student’s committee, if the student has grades of “B” or better, and if the credit fits into the time limit for completion of the Ed.S. degree.
Courses will be prescribed in lieu of specific requirements for those who have already completed these requirements at another institution.
Credit completed at any institution as part of an advanced degree from that institution is not acceptable for transfer toward a graduate degree at Northwest.
Northwest has the option of not accepting transfer credit from a regionally- or nationally- accredited institution for courses offered by that institution in a state outside of the state where the institution has its home campus.
International Student Admission
Before deciding to attend Northwest, the international student should examine his or her financial situation very carefully. The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service requires Northwest to certify that international students have been fully accepted in a graduate master’s program for full-time enrollment (degree-seeking) and have sufficient funds to meet all expenses for one academic year: tuition, housing, transportation, etc. Northwest requires a Statement of Support from the student’s family, sponsor, or government. The statement certifies that tuition, room and board, and personal funds are available, and that the student is permitted to export and exchange those funds into the United States. Without this certification, no I-20 form can be issued.
Students entering Northwest are required to have a reading, writing, and conversational knowledge of the English language. If the student’s secondary education was obtained from a non-English speaking school or a school in which the medium of instruction is not English, and that student was hired as a teaching graduate assistant, then he or she is required to meet an English language requirement. Northwest accepts the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Pearson Test of English (PTE).
Minimum score requirements are:
TOEFL: 550 paper and pencil
213 computer based
79-80 Internet based
IELTS: 6.5 overall band score, with no individual band score below 6.0
PTE: 53
International students are required to have an approved health insurance plan. The student is charged for Northwest’s approved plan. If the international student has a health insurance plan before entering the University, they must contact the International and Intercultural Center within the first two weeks of classes for approval of that policy. If approval is given, then the charge for Northwest’s policy is removed from their bill.
New International Students
To be fully admitted to Northwest, students must submit the following items to the Northwest Office of Admissions, Northwest Missouri State University, 800 University Drive, Maryville, Missouri, 64468-6001, USA. Forms are available by request from the Northwest Office of Admissions or the Graduate Office.
- Complete International Application including supplemental and financial information (requires sponsor signature and notary seal). Application deadlines for programs with the exception of programs in the Department of Behavioral Sciences or the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences are: Fall – July 1, Spring – November 15, Summer – April 1; Guidance and Counseling accepts new students into the program only in Summer. Applications for this program are due March 1. Geographic Information Science and Applied Computer Science accept new students into the program in Fall and Spring only. See department information for application deadline.
- Official academic transcripts from each secondary and post-secondary institution attended. If students are currently enrolled in a college or university, they should send official partial transcripts. All transcripts become the property of Northwest and cannot be released.
- GMAT (for M.B.A. only) or GRE general test scores when required by program. See specific program for requirements.
- Application fee in U.S. currency. (See “Fees and Costs.”)
- Score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Pearson Test of English (PTE). English proficiency scores can be no older than two years when students enroll. Minimum score requirements are:
TOEFL: 550 paper and pencil,
213 computer based,
79-80 Internet based
IELTS: 6.5 overall band score, with no individual band score below 6.0
PTE: 53
- Financial statement from a banking institution to certify that tuition, room and board, and personal funds for one academic year are available. Without this certification, no I-20 form can be issued.
- Copy of passport.
Upon receipt of all these items, international students will be notified of acceptance or denial. The accepted student will receive a completed I-20 form which they must then present to a U.S. Consulate when applying for their student (F-1) visa. Student visas should be obtained before entering the United States, as converting from a tourist visa to a student visa is by no means assured.
International Transfer Students
In addition to the items listed under the "International Student Admission" section, graduate international students who are transferring to Northwest Missouri State University from another American university should also submit a Transfer Form to the Northwest Office of Admissions. This form can be found in the International Student Application or contact the Office of Admissions. Graduate international students must also meet the guidelines set by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service; check with your current institution.
The maximum graduate credit accepted for transfer is nine semester hours in no more than four courses. In order for graduate transfer credits to be evaluated, the prospective graduate student must also file a Degree Audit Form with the Northwest Graduate Office. To be considered for transfer credit, courses must have a grade of “B” or higher and may not be older than eight years at the time of degree completion.
Admission to Graduate Study
International students must meet all admission requirements as described in “Admission to Graduate Study.” Students must also meet any conditions described by a specific department.
Whether the undergraduate degree is from a foreign university or from an American university, graduate students should also submit the items listed in "International Student Admission." The prerequisites for admission to graduate school are:
- A baccalaureate-level degree from either an accredited American university or a foreign institution. If the degree is from a foreign institution, the student may have to continue undergraduate studies to fulfill Northwest requirements.
- A cumulative undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.50 on a 4.00 scale, or as required by program. Students who have a cumulative GPA between 2.20 and 2.49 may be admitted on a conditional basis. For admission to a specific program see the program requirements.
- A score report from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test (if required by the program) must be submitted prior to consideration for acceptance if pursuing a Master of Arts, a Master of Science, a Master of Science in Education, or a Specialist in Education degree. M.S.Ed. Guidance and Counseling students must submit GRE general test scores before entry according to departmental requirements. If students are pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree, a score report from the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT), Graduate Record Examination (GRE), or major field achievement test must be submitted prior to consideration for acceptance.
The international student should allow approximately two months from the time all application documents are reviewed for notification of acceptance. Admission to graduate study does not constitute admission to a specific graduate program nor to candidacy for a degree.
An international student with an education degree from a foreign university may work toward an M.S.Ed. degree based on his or her undergraduate major, with the understanding that Northwest will not recommend him or her for certification anywhere in the United States unless he or she meets all certification requirements for educational programs as outlined in Northwest's current undergraduate academic catalog.
The student is eligible to study for the M.A., M.B.A., M.S., or Ed.S. degrees if he or she meets admission and candidacy requirements as previously specified.
Registration
Times for graduate registration will be announced each trimester. Courses numbered at the 500 level are available for upper division undergraduate as well as graduate students. (Students enrolling in 500-level courses for graduate credit will meet additional requirements as stated in the course syllabus.) Courses at the 600 level are for graduate students only. Courses at the 700 level are available only to Specialist in Education students. Courses at the 800 level are available only to doctoral students. No course numbered below 500 is available for graduate credit. A minimum of 16 credits of 600-level courses are required for all master’s degrees. The remaining credits must be graduate level courses.
Graduate students may register by mail for regularly-scheduled courses. Graduate Mail-In forms are available from the Graduate Office and should be completed and returned two weeks before classes begin. Online courses must be registered two weeks before classes begin.
Undergraduate students who have met the requirements for dual enrollment may preregister as usual. Undergraduate students are not permitted to enroll in 600-level graduate credit courses unless approved for dual enrollment. (See “Academic Policies.” ) Students may not dual enroll in 600-level courses by computer. Enrollment in 600-level courses must be completed in the Registrar’s Office.
Each graduate student should consult the listing of department advisors and meet with his or her advisor before registration concerning the applicability of any course to his or her program as well as for any other concern.
Students must make arrangements to have a Bearcat ID Card made at the time of registration if entering the University for the first time. Students must furnish their Social Security number. Students who wish to park on campus during the day must register their cars and purchase a parking permit at the Student Services Center.
Late Registration
These statements are designed to provide guidelines in determining whether the late registration fee should be assessed. The late registration fee is assessed by the Registrar’s Office, and any questions should be directed to the Registrar’s Office or to the Dean of the Graduate School.
A fee of $15 will be assessed a student who fails to complete registration, including payment of fees, within the dates as specified in the published procedure for registration for any trimester. Students who are inadvertently charged the late registration fee (LRF) must initiate its refund.
On-Campus Registration (Northwest Campus)
Day Registration. Students registering after the general registration period will be assessed the LRF. Students registering only for night classes will follow procedures for night registration.
Night Registration. Students registering at the first meeting of a night class will not be assessed the LRF. Students registering at night for classes that have already met during the day or for a night class that met earlier in the week will be assessed the LRF.
Special Registration. Students registering in special workshops or short courses on the first class meeting will not be assessed the LRF. Students registering after the first class meeting will be assessed the LRF.
Off-Campus Registration (Includes the Kansas City Center and the St. Joseph Center) Regular Registration. Students registering at the first class meeting will not be assessed the LRF. Students registering at the second meeting date of classes will be charged the LRF. Graduate students should confer with the Dean of Northwest’s Graduate School if there is any question concerning late registration.
Admission to Candidacy
Admission to graduate study is not the equivalent of admission to candidacy for a master’s degree.
The decision on a student’s admission to candidacy for a master’s degree will be made after the student has completed a minimum of eight semester hours of graduate credit in residence (18 hours for Guidance and Counseling), has a “B” or better average in his or her major field, and at least a “B” average in all work attempted. Decisions on candidacy will be guided by scholarship at the graduate level, evidences of professional competence, results of the GRE General Test or GMAT, as appropriate, results of other achievement tests if administered, the student’s Degree Audit, other conditions specified by the department, and recommendations from the student’s advisor and/or instructors.
The student may not continue past 15 graduate hours unless he or she has met the requirements for candidacy in the program and has agreed to the Degree Audit as determined with their graduate program advisor.
In addition to approval of a plan of study, admission to candidacy for the M.S.Ed. requires documentation of having met all certification requirements and approval for the appropriate level and teaching area(s) from any state. The documentation will remain on file with the Dean of the Graduate School. Students who are earning the teaching certificate as part of their graduate studies may be admitted to candidacy if the Teaching Certificate specifies all courses required to earn a Missouri Teaching Certificate. Applicants whose objectives are in non-public education may be approved by the individual program, if appropriate, without meeting certification requirements. See individual programs for exceptions.
For the M.S.Ed., M.B.A., M.A., or M.S. degrees, undergraduate courses specified by the department or college in which the applicant plans to do his or her major study may also be required. Any additional requirements specified by the department or college must also be met.
Students who are conditionally admitted or who do not qualify for conditional admission may not be admitted to candidacy until after they have completed eight semester hours of graduate study with a “B” or better grade point average and have met all other candidacy requirements.
The admission to candidacy procedures for the Ed.S. degree are described in the “College of Education and Human Services” section.
Graduate Research Requirement
All graduate students must complete a research component as part of their requirements for graduation. The requirement may be met through one of three options as prescribed for the individual’s approved program. These options are:
- Research Paper:
A research paper, at a minimum, is a paper that surveys the literature on a particular topic. In such papers, students should demonstrate that they understand various arguments, hypotheses or theories put forward in the literature, can compare and contrast such, and draw appropriate conclusions therefrom. Term papers meeting these specifications can qualify as research papers. Research papers can be written either individually or as a team as directed by the academic program. The student’s advisor must approve the research paper and file the Research Component Form with the Graduate Office.
- Scholarly Paper:
A scholarly paper is a monograph of research conducted by the student that may or may not be experimental in nature. The report includes a statement of purpose, a report of investigation, analysis, and conclusions. The scholarly paper requires approval of the supervising graduate research faculty member and the Dean of the Graduate School. An oral defense of the paper is not required. The scholarly paper will be submitted electronically to the Dean of the Graduate School in a Portable Document File (PDF) delivered on one CD.
- Thesis:
A thesis is an in-depth scholarly examination of a particular topic which makes a contribution to the student’s academic field. The specific format of the thesis may vary by academic department. However, in general, a thesis is based on the examination of a hypothesis or research objective and includes the following components: an abstract, a review of literature, methods and procedures, data summary or findings from primary sources, and a discussion of the findings. The thesis requires approval of the supervising graduate research faculty member, the thesis committee and the Dean of the Graduate School. An oral defense of the thesis before the thesis committee is required. The thesis will be submitted electronically to the Dean of the Graduate School for approval by a prearranged date.
- Guidelines for Research Paper, Scholarly Paper, and Thesis:
The scholarly paper/thesis will be submitted electronically according to the style adopted by the department, to the Dean of the Graduate School for approval by the pre-arranged date.
In submitting the scholarly paper/thesis electronically, the following conditions must be met: (1) The general graduate guidelines must be followed for general format (a copy of the approved guidelines for general format is available online or from the Graduate Office); (2) A specific manual prescribed by the department must be followed exactly for the internal format of the paper; (3) Careful attention must be given to all composition skills involved; (4) An errorless original document must be submitted electronically to the Graduate Office for final approval and; (5) Consistent typing with a uniform font must be evident for the entire scholarly paper/thesis, except that photography or reduced tables may be allowed.
If approved, the electronic scholarly paper/thesis will be forwarded to the B.D. Owens Library. Binding of the scholarly paper/thesis will be the responsibility of the student. Each graduate program within the department should keep files of significant research completed by each master’s degree recipient.
For students not required to complete a scholarly paper/thesis for submission to the library, each graduate degree area will arrange for a permanent department file of the results of its research component. The name of the student, the title of the research, the graduate degree, date earned, and degree area are to be sent to the Graduate Office for filing in the student’s permanent files. (See “College of Education and Human Services” requirements for Ed.S. research requirements.)
Northwest Missouri State University subscribes to the policy that all research involving human subjects which is conducted by faculty, students, and staff must be reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board prior to the initiation of the research.
Northwest Missouri State University subscribes to the policy that all research involving animals which is conducted by faculty, students, and staff must be reviewed and approved by the Animal Welfare Committee prior to the initiation of the research. The Animal Welfare Committee meets once a trimester or when needed.
Second Degree
A second master’s degree may be earned by completing all degree requirements for the second degree for a total of 32 graduate credit hours. If required courses for the second degree have been completed in the first degree, appropriate course substitutions will be approved by the advisor to complete the 32 graduate credit hours required for the second degree.
Graduation
The student must complete all applicable general requirements as well as those outlined for degree programs and pass the comprehensive assessment requirement.
The student must have been admitted to candidacy, and he or she must have been recommended for graduation in the prescribed manner. Recommendations for award of the graduate degrees originate with the Graduate Council, and are acted upon by the President and the Board of Regents.
At the beginning of the last trimester of enrollment, the degree candidate must complete a Final Application for Comprehensive Assessment and Graduate Degree (available online). The graduation fee (see “Fees and Costs”) is assessed whether or not the student plans to participate in commencement exercises.
Information regarding commencement exercises and ordering of cap, gown, and hood will be sent from the Registrar’s Office.
Courses not required for the master’s or specialist degree that show an in-progress (IP) grade at the time of the degree conferral will not hinder the degree conferral. However, when completed and graded, those courses will be reflected within the time frame of the degree, causing the hours to count as part of the degree.
Participation in the Commencement Ceremony
Students typically participate in the commencement ceremony during the trimester in which the degree is earned. A student may participate in the commencement ceremony one trimester before earning the degree if the student has 6 or fewer credit hours remaining to earn the degree in the following trimester. A student who participates in commencement in the trimester prior to earning the degree does not have to have completed the comprehensive exam or the research component in order to participate in the commencement ceremony. Students who have earned the degree and who did not participate in commencement may participate in a later commencement ceremony. Students who want to participate in a commencement ceremony in a trimester before or after the degree is earned must contact the Graduate Office six weeks prior to commencement.