catpaws nwmsu

Engaged In-Person and Online Education at NWMSU

Northwest Missouri State University appears in our ranking of the Top 50 Most Affordable MBA in Human Resources Online Programs.

Named the Midwest’s 86th best choice by the U.S. News & World Report, Northwest Missouri State University is a public, coed MIAA member in Maryville that grants 95 undergrad, 29 master’s, and three specialist degrees, including 14 fully online, at a 22:1 student-teacher ratio. For example, the Melvin & Valorie Booth School of Business has a 124-credit B.S. in Marketing headed by Dr. Tiebing Shi where online students can enter the New Venture Pitch Competition, intern with Exxon Mobil, and join AdInk for 95 percent job placement. Chaired by Dr. Mark Corson, the 124-credit B.S. in Biology offers on-campus opportunities to conduct Hubbard Innovation Center research, conserve the Mozingo Recreation Area, semester in Peru, intern at Nodaway Clinic, and take the Pre-Chiropractic Track.

Online on Canvas since Fall 2018, the School of Education led by Dr. Tim Wall has delivered a 30-credit, 12-month M.S.Ed. in Reading that fulfills Missouri’s Special Reading Teacher K-12 certification for $9,750 total with 10 accelerated seven-week courses like Literary Assessment. Directed by Dr. Patricia Drews, the M.S. in Geographic Information Science starts its 34-credit, thesis-optional sequence each August and January with applied 500-level online courses from Spatial Analysis to Cartographic Design to pursue GIS Certification Institute credentials.

Other Northwest degrees include the B.S. in Nursing, B.S. in Business Management, B.S. in Agronomy, B.A. in History, B.A. in Global Affairs, B.F.A. in Art, M.B.A. in Human Resources, M.S. in Recreation, and M.S. in Computer Science.

About Northwest Missouri State University

Northwest Missouri State University originated on June 13, 1906, when the General Assembly opened the Fifth District Normal School at the former 86-acre site of a Methodist seminary. In 1919, it became the Northwest Missouri State Teachers College with bachelor’s degrees. On July 21, 1949, its mission formally expanded as Northwest Missouri State College. Two decades later, it cemented its long-lasting rivalry with Missouri Western State University. In August 1972, the Board of Regents approved its first master’s program and university status. In 1979, its Thomas Gaunt House was added to the National Register of Historic Places. In 1987, President Dean L. Hubbard launched the nation’s first public Electronic Campus online here. In 1998, the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats won the first of six NCAA Division II football titles. In 2000, NWMSU debuted the Missouri Academy of Science, Mathematics and Computing.

Endowed for $35.2 million, Northwest Missouri State University now employs 292 faculty teaching 6,857 Bearcats from 44 states and 37 nations online, on the 370-acre Maryville campus, or at the Kansas City Center with 200+ clubs like the Pre-Law Society. In 2018, NWMSU accepted the Christa McAuliffe Excellence in Teacher Education Award. In 2019, Northwest Missouri State won a CASE District VI Educational Fundraising Award. NWMSU had the 2019 American Heart Association’s Mission Impact Award recipient too. The U.S. News & World Report featured Northwest among the top 284 online MBA and 299 online teaching programs. On Niche, NWMSU boasts America’s 141st best sports management, 256th best education, and 291st top communications degrees. Washington Monthly crowned Northwest Missouri State University the 293rd best master’s institution and 119th top regional value.

Northwest Missouri State University Accreditation Details

On January 18, 2019, the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA) issued a new Institutional Status Report for Northwest Missouri State University that renewed the Level IV accreditation through 2028-29 under the 10th president, Dr. John Jasinski, who received the Housing First Minnesota Leadership Award. Located 476 miles east via Interstate 80 in Chicago, this huge 19-state Heartland Region accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Education Department and Missouri Department of Higher Education (MDHE). The Academic Affairs Office also features the following accreditations:

  • Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
  • National Association of Schools of Music
  • Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
  • National Association for the Education of Young Children
  • Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Council for the Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions

Northwest Missouri State University Application Requirements

Getting into Northwest Missouri State University is classified “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s since just 4,788 of the 6,048 Fall 2018 applicants were triumphant for 79 percent acceptance. First-year Bearcats must finish their GED or graduate high school with a minimum 2.0 GPA. Admission index scores must be 100 or higher based on class rank and testing results. The Class of 2022 presented an average GPA of 3.39. The middle 50th percentile had SAT scores of 390-500 for reading and 490-610 for math. Mid-range ACT scores were 20-25. Undergrad transfers are admitted with 24-90 accredited credits graded at least C. Immigrants from non-English countries need a minimum 61 TOEFL, 5.5 IELTS, 44 PTE, or 162 CAE score. The Graduate School seeks GPAs above 2.5 during four years of bachelor’s preparation. Education Specialist degrees only consider GPAs of 3.25 and better. Online M.B.A. cohorts with lower grades need a 285 GRE or 440 GMAT score. The School of Education lists K-12 certification as prerequisite to all online M.S.Ed. programs.

Northwest Missouri State University has rolling admission to enter any seven- or 15-week session. Freshmen should abide an April 1st priority deadline. Undergrad test scores are due August 1st. International students must file by June 15th for Fall or November 1st for Spring starts. Housing contracts with $50 deposits are only refundable until June 1st. Accordingly, create a CatPaws account to complete the NWMSU Application online for $25 ($50 if graduate). Forward official transcripts to 800 University Drive in Maryville, MO 64468. Submit entrance exams via SAT/GRE code 6488 or ACT code 2338. Fulfill program checklist items, such as the 2-3 references, personal essay, resume or CV, portfolio, and ASSIST form. Contact (844) 890-9304 or [email protected] with questions.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2019-20, Northwest Missouri State University is charging in-state undergrads $4,902 by term or $9,804 annually. Non-resident bachelor’s tuition is $8,228 each semester or $16,457 each year. Health insurance premiums are $1,265. Room and board at the Maryville campus’ dorms like Perrin Hall adds $4,466 to $5,008 by semester. Commuter meal plans for Bearcat Commons are $160 to $390 each. NWMSU budgets $400 for books and $2,575 for miscellaneous. Traditional annual attendance equals $19,751 in-state or $25,073 out-of-state. Online bachelor’s courses are $366 to $588 per credit. The Graduate School typically bills full-time Missourians $7,219 and non-residents $11,770 yearly. Online master’s students pay $441 to $693 per credit. Master of Science in Education courses are discounted to $325 per credit.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Office of Financial Assistance in Administration Building Room 273 connects 98 percent of new full-time NWMSU Bearcats to median tuition aid of $7,964 each for $8.99 million combined. University funds include the Ada Royston Instrumental Music Scholarship, Anna Painter Graduate Scholarship, Calvin Widger Memorial Scholarship, Dr. Patricia VanDyke Trailblazer Scholarship, Frederick Parcher Technology Scholarship, Lloyd Summa Agricultural Scholarship, Monica Zirfas Scholarship, Ron DeYoung Business Scholarship, and Wirth Family Memorial Scholarship. The Northwest A+ Scholarship gifts $1,500 annually to Missouri high school graduates with minimum 2.5 GPAs. The $4,000 Distinguished Scholar Award assists freshmen with 27-36 ACT or equivalent SAT scores. Federal resources, such as the Teach Grant and Work-Study Program, require FAFSA forms coded 002496. Missourians could also pursue the Show-Me Scholars Scholarship, Access Grant, Bright Flight Scholarship, Horatio Alger Scholarship, American Dream Grant, and more.

Explore 11 accredited departments conferring 125+ first-rate, flexible degrees placed 266th overall by The Economist at the Northwest Missouri State University website.