History
Northwest Missouri State University began in 1905 as Missouri’s Fifth District Normal School to provide teachers for the schools of a 19-county region in northwest Missouri. The University still fulfills that function, but the institution has now grown into a comprehensive state university that offers more than 120 undergraduate programs, 37 master’s degrees, three specialist degrees, a cooperative doctoral program and five certificate programs.
Northwest’s history includes three name changes. In 1919, the Missouri General Assembly changed the name to Northwest Missouri State Teachers College and established the privilege of granting baccalaureate degrees. On July 21, 1949, the Board of Regents changed the name to Northwest Missouri State College. The final name change occurred August 14, 1972, when the Board of Regents, recognizing the evolution of the school into a comprehensive institution, changed the name to Northwest Missouri State University.
Northwest has evolved into a vibrant and diverse learning community with an enrollment of more than 6,300 students from 36 states and 31 countries. About 700 faculty and staff are employed by the University, which offers classes on its Maryville campus, at the Northwest-Kansas City facility, online, and through instructional television (ITV).
In 1987, Northwest unveiled its unique Electronic Campus program that was designed to accelerate student learning and enrich faculty teaching and research by placing a computer terminal in every student residence hall room and faculty office. The program was the first of its kind on a public college or university campus in the United States. Today, all full-time students are provided a fully-loaded laptop computer, enabling all students access to technology and the software they need to be successful.
With its emphasis on student success - every student, every day - the university is focused on providing an exceptional student experience that places high value on scholarship and life-long learning, intercultural competence, collaboration, respect and integrity, strategic thinking, and excellence.