Statement of Non-Discrimination
Applicants for admission and employment, students, and employees of Northwest Missouri State University are hereby notified that this institution does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, or handicap in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities. Any person having inquiries concerning Northwest Missouri State University’s compliance with the regulations implementing Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines is directed to contact the President’s Office, Northwest Missouri State University, 800 University Drive, Maryville, MO 64468-6001, (660) 562-1110. Any person may also contact the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, regarding the institution’s compliance with the regulations implementing EEOC and ADA guidelines.
This catalog does not constitute a contract but is for information only.
Mission
Northwest Missouri State University focuses on student success – every student, every day.
Vision
We will be THE university of choice for a comprehensive, exceptional student experience.
Values
We value:
- Student success
- Scholarship and life-long learning
- Intercultural competence
- Collaboration
- Respect and integrity
- Strategic thinking
- Excellence
History
In 1953, Northwest Missouri State University began a feasibility study for a graduate program leading to the Master of Science in Education degree. This degree was designed specifically for elementary teachers, elementary supervisors and principals, and secondary teachers in the areas of Business, English, Health and Physical Education, and the Social Sciences.
Graduate work leading to a master’s degree was offered for the first time in the summer session of 1955, and the first degree was granted in 1957. The graduate program was accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education following a visit by representatives in the summer session of 1958.
The University has been continuously involved in offering graduate work since 1955. In 1961, a cooperative graduate program was developed for the Master of Education degree which was awarded by the University of Missouri. Northwest Missouri State University phased out its own program over a period of two years and continued the cooperative arrangement until 1967. The last graduate in the M.Ed. cooperative program received his degree in 1969. A cooperative program for the Specialist in Education degree in Educational Administration with the University of Missouri was begun in the 1970 summer session under the auspices of the University of Missouri. Although this program was phased out in 1982, NCA approved the Specialist in Education degree in Educational Administration as offered by Northwest since 1981.
Graduate courses have been offered off site beginning in 1978 when programs were first offered in the St. Joseph area. In 2006, the Kansas City Center was created which firmly established program offerings in the Northland Kansas City area. Since 1997, Northwest and the University of Missouri-Columbia offer a cooperative doctoral degree in leadership. This degree is awarded by the University of Missouri and requires two summers of coursework on the University of Missouri campus with the remainder of the coursework offered on the Northwest campus. Program cohorts have also been established in numerous locations throughout the state to bring educational opportunities at distance locations.