/Institutions/Northwest-Missouri-State-University/json/2015-2017/Graduate-Catalog-local.json

/Institutions/Northwest-Missouri-State-University/json/2015-2017/Graduate-Catalog.json

2015-2017 Graduate Catalog > College of Education and Human Services > Department of Health and Human Services

Department of Health and Human Services

Chairperson: Matthew Symonds

Graduate Faculty: Loren Butler, Jeffrey Ferguson, Alice Foose, Terry Long, Sue Myllykangas, Janet Reusser, Matthew Symonds, Tyler Tapps, Rheba Vetter

Department Phone: (660) 562-1297

The Department of Health and Human Services, offers a Master of Science in Education in Health and Physical Education, a Master of Science in Recreation, and a Master of Science in Applied Health and Sport Sciences.

Students seeking a Master of Science in Education with a major in Health and Physical Education must either hold teacher certification upon entry into the program or complete Missouri teacher certification requirements as part of their M.S.Ed. degree completion requirements.

Those seeking a Master of Science in Education may choose to complete coursework in one or both of the following two interest areas: Health Education or Physical Education. Those seeking a Master of Science in Recreation may choose to complete coursework in one or both of the following two interest areas: Recreation Resources Management or Therapeutic Recreation. Students choosing to seek a Master of Science in Applied Health and Sport Sciences may choose to complete coursework in one or both of the following two interest areas: Wellness or Sport Management and Administration. Masters courses are also available through Northwest Outreach Programs at the Kansas City Center, St. Joseph Center and via Northwest Online.

Program Admission Requirements

Students wishing to pursue a graduate degree in the Department of Health and Human Services must meet the admission requirements of the University and department as stated in this catalog:

1. Make application to the Graduate School.
2. A minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 on the undergraduate transcript is required. A student who has an undergraduate GPA of 2.20 to 2.74 may be considered for admission after he/she has completed eight hours of required graduate coursework at Northwest with a GPA of 3.25.
3. A minimum combined score of 280 on the verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The student may retake the test if the score is below 280. Official scores must be filed with the Graduate Office to complete the admission packet before being admitted to the program.  Students who can demonstrate two or more years of full-time (30 hours per week) work experience can apply this work experience as an alternative to the GRE admission requirement. In such cases, the student must provide the following information to the graduate faculty of the HHS department for approval by majority vote:
   1. Documentation of at least 2 years of full-time experience in the areas of physical education, recreation, or applied health sciences.
   2. Two letters of recommendation, with one being from a current or former employer.
   3. A writing sample.
   4. Students foregoing the GRE will be required to complete REC 45633 Research Report Writing. This requirement must be met before being admitted to candidacy and prior to completion of 15 hours.
4. Minimum score of 3.5 on the GRE Writing Assessment or the student must take REC 45633 Research Report Writing. This requirement must be met before the student is admitted to candidacy and prior to completion of 15 hours.
5. Complete departmental admissions packet and receive written acceptance from the HHS department via the graduate coordinator or their designee. Deadlines for submission of graduate admissions packets are as follows:

   Fall Admission – August 1

   Spring Admission – December 1

   Summer Admission – April 1

Admission Appeal

Students not meeting the departmental GPA admission standards as stated may appeal to the department. Appeals should be made in writing to the HHS graduate studies coordinator by the deadlines for submission of graduate admissions packets as stated above in Program Admission Requirements.

If after a second attempt on the GRE the student is unable to attain the minimum admission score, he or she may appeal to the department. Appeals should be made in writing to the HHS graduate studies coordinator.

Appeals will be heard and voted upon by the department graduate faculty. Approval requires a majority vote.

The student is to:

1. Submit a portfolio including:
   1. Transcripts of all credits.
   2. A written request for alternative admission (minimum 250 words not to exceed three double-spaced word-processed pages).
   3. Two employer/supervisor recommendations.
2. Make an oral presentation to the committee including:
   1. Statement of personal and professional reasons for appeal.
   2. Factors or motivation for seeking a graduate degree.
   3. Projected plans for degree completion.

Thesis or Research Paper

Once a Northwest HHS graduate student has enrolled in the Thesis or Research Paper class, the student must continue to register for at least one hour of the Thesis or Research Paper class each trimester until the work is completed, whether the student is in residence or away from the campus. Failure to maintain continuous enrollment in thesis or research paper may require enrollment in three additional hours of thesis or research paper before the degree is granted.

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistantships are available on a competitive basis for qualified students. Students must be fully accepted into a graduate program, have a 2.75 cumulative GPA, and be enrolled as a HHS master’s student in order to obtain a graduate assistantship in the HHS department.