Admissions

Admission to Undergraduate Study

Northwest is designated as a moderately selective university. The Admissions office therefore evaluates students for admission based on their unique academic ability that meets our moderately selective criteria. Northwest accepts students regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally-protected class. Prospective students and their caregivers (parents, family, and guardians) are encouraged to visit Northwest. To schedule a visit, call the Northwest Office of Admissions at (660) 562-1562.

To apply, complete the appropriate Northwest Application for Admission and submit official high school and/or college transcripts, ACT/SAT scores as appropriate and other documents that may be requested during the admission review process. All materials should be received by the Northwest Office of Admissions - Operations at least two weeks before the anticipated date of enrollment, if possible. Documents submitted during the application process will not be returned. When admitted students register, such documents become part of the student’s official academic record. At that time, students may review, but not remove, documents from their academic records.

Freshman Admissions

Freshman admission is based on a combination of academic and personal considerations within the moderately selective designation. Northwest takes an individual, holistic approach to the review of applications. All applicant’s academic accomplishments are a priority and are demonstrated by test scores, grades, class rank and exposure to a college prep curriculum. Admission to Northwest is not viewed as an entitlement based on grades and test scores. Our admission process combines an examination of academic ability with flexible assessment of an applicant’s experiences and potential.

New freshmen graduating from high school in the Spring of 2010 or after are required to have completed a 24-unit curriculum (16-unit core curriculum for 1996-2009 graduates). In addition, students must be from an accredited high school and meet the requirements in Category I or Category II below.

Category I

1. 21 ACT composite or higher (or the SAT (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing + Math) equivalent: SAT-1060 or higher) and
2. Minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA or above (on 4.00 scale)

Category II

1. Have a combined percentile index that equals or exceeds 100 points; and
2. Minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA or above (on 4.00 scale)

For those students not meeting these requirements, the University will consider each case on an individual basis and will use professional judgment in admitting students that demonstrate academic promise and potential for success. Additional information, such as letters of recommendation, a personal statement, or response to holistic admission questions may be requested. Conditions may be placed on the enrollment of such students, if accepted into the University.

Application Fee

An application fee may be required for new students applying to Northwest. A complete listing of application fees is available by phone at (660) 562-1562.

Combined Percentile Index

Figure the class rank percentile by dividing class rank by class size, then subtract that percentile from 100 percent.

Using the Test Score Percentile Chart given below, find the appropriate ACT/SAT composite test score percentile.

Add it to the class rank percentile to get the Combined Percentile Index.

For example:

Class Rank percentile = 80 percentile

Combined Percentile Index = 80 + 42 = 122

Combined Percentile Index of 122 exceeds the minimum combined percentile index of 100, so the student would be admissible to Northwest if core curriculum and GPA requirements were met.

Test Score Percentile Chart

(NOTE: Redesigned SAT effective beginning March 2016; SAT I Exam effective April 1995 - February 2016)

Redesigned SAT score is a combination of SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and SAT Math scores.

SAT I score is a combination of SAT Critical Reading and SAT Mathematics scores.

High School Core Curriculum - 2010 high school graduates and beyond

• 4 units of English
• 3 units of Mathematics
  
  (high school-level algebra or higher)
   
• 3 units of Science
  
  (must include at least one laboratory science)
   
• 3 units of Social Science
  
  (must include American history and at least one semester of government)
   
• 1 unit of Fine Arts
• Electives and additional coursework may also be considered

Note: 1 unit = 1 year

Test Score Requirements

The ACT is used for admission, scholarships, placement and advisement purposes; the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) may also be used. In addition, Northwest utilizes superscores when determining admission and automatic scholarships so students are encouraged to submit all test scores for consideration. A superscore is a composite of the best subscore in each subject area, regardless of the test date. Scores sent by the testing agency as well as from the high school are considered official. Scores submitted directly from the student may be used for admission purposes but must be verified by having official scores sent directly from the testing agency or high school. Residual test scores are not acceptable, unless taken at Northwest.

To Apply:

• Carefully and promptly complete the Application for Admission and submit it to the Northwest Office of Admissions - Operations.
  
  Online Professional Application Deadline: Students applying for Online Professional courses must follow deadlines as posted on the University website.
   
• Students should arrange to have a copy of their high school transcript of courses taken and the grades received, cumulative GPA, class rank if available and expected date of graduation sent to the Northwest Office of Admissions - Operations. Provisional acceptance will be considered upon receipt of a six-semester partial transcript. Students enrolled in college credit courses under the Dual Credit Program need to request an official college transcript be sent to the Office of Admissions - Operations upon completion of the coursework.
• Students should have a copy of their ACT scores sent to the Office of Admissions (SAT is acceptable). Scores provided by the student may be used for admission purposes but official scores from ACT or the high school for the highest composite score received are required to complete the admission record.

Home-schooled Students

Home-schooled students will be evaluated similar to those students who attended/are attending a public or private high school. Applicants must submit their ACT or SAT results and a transcript listing of high school courses and grades for each course.

In order to be accepted, homeschooled students must meet one of the following criteria:

1. A 21 or higher on the ACT (or SAT equivalent) OR
2. A GED score of at least 660 OR
3. A HiSET score of at least 75

Official ACT/SAT scores directly from ACT or College Board are also required for course placement and scholarship purposes unless the applicant is an Adult Student.

For those students not meeting these requirements, the University will consider each case on an individual basis and will use professional judgment in admitting students that demonstrate academic promise and potential for success. Additional information such as letters of recommendation and a personal statement may be requested. Conditions may be placed on the enrollment of such students if accepted into the University.

Former Missouri Academy Students

Former Missouri Academy students will be evaluated similar to those students who attended/are attending a public or private high school. ACT or SAT results provided to the Missouri Academy will still be on record at Northwest so do not need to be resubmitted.

Credit for External Examinations

Northwest utilizes College Board Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES), Missouri Seal of Biliteracy (SoBL) and General Education Certificate (GCE) Advanced Level Examinations to award credits toward graduation. The AP exam and IB are administered through the student’s high school, while the CLEP may be taken on campus through the Assessment Office or at any other institutional testing center. Students may not receive credit for any of these exams in subject areas already enrolled in at the college level or in which college credit has already been granted; students may not receive credit for CLEP exams retaken less than six months after the previous exam. In order to receive credit, students must supply the Office of Admissions-Operations with original, official score reports from the testing agency.

Northwest does not award credit for all AP, CLEP, IB, DANTES or GCE A-level examinations. Northwest will allow credit for scores on selected exams as follows:

Advanced Placement

* For a Course Score greater than 3, additional credit will be awarded. See table below.

CLEP Subject Examinations

CLEP General Examinations

CLEP General exams may be used to fulfill Northwest Core requirements and receive credits, but are not equated to specific Northwest courses.

International Baccalaureate Credit

International Baccalaureate credit is awarded for higher-level examinations only unless otherwise stated.

DANTES Credit

DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) may be used to fulfill some course requirements. The Northwest course numbers below that end with -920 indicate Lower Division Elective credit. Northwest course numbers below that end with -990 indicate Upper Division Elective credit.

Missouri Seal of Biliteracy

The Missouri Seal of Biliteracy (SoBL) is awarded to graduating high school students in districts with a DESE-approved program, who have demonstrated achievement in English, a Language Other Than English (LOTE) and sociocultural competence through the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL) testing. Equivalent scores on another measure of proficiency recognized by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for use with the Missouri Seal of Biliteracy may also be considered. All Missouri students studying any of the world’s languages are potential Seal candidates. The equivalencies listed below are for Spanish using the AAPPL assessment.

*14-990 represents upper-level language elective to bring the total credit to the level indicated.

General Education Certificate

General Education Certificate (GCE) Advanced Level Examinations may be used to fulfill some course requirements. Credit is only awarded for A (Advanced)-Level examinations, not for AS (Advanced Subsidiary)-Level. Exams must reflect a grade of C or higher on a US grading scale to earn credit. Only “pass credit” will be awarded by Northwest, not a grade.

*This exam can be taken separately or together; credit hours will be adjusted accordingly depending on whether Computers, Mathematics, or Computers & Mathematics exams were completed.

Dual Credit Courses (Transferred to Northwest)

Northwest will accept for credit, courses taken while enrolled in high school under the Dual Credit Program as long as the courses are not vocational in nature (unless taken as part of an Associate of Arts degree) or developmental and follow the CBHE Policy on Dual Credit Delivery issued June 2015. In order to receive credit, the Office of Admissions-Operations must receive an official college transcript from the college or university granting the credit.

Military Service

Students who have completed active military service may be granted credit as determined by the Northwest Office of Admissions-Operations. Credit may also be granted for specific military training and MOS designations as recommended by the American Council on Education.

Transfer Admissions

Transfer students are accepted for the fall, spring, and summer semesters.

Students who wish to transfer to Northwest are strongly encouraged to schedule a campus visit by calling the Northwest Office of Admissions at (660) 562-1562, in order to discuss transfer of credits with the transfer academic advisor or the academic department’s major advisor. Upon presentation of all required complete, official transcripts, a degree audit will be prepared which indicates what courses remain for a student to take to complete their degree at Northwest.

Transfer Requirements

To be considered for admission on transfer criteria rather than high school criteria, a student must have completed at least 24 hours of transferable, college-level coursework. (These hours must have been earned after high school graduation, not including the summer immediately following graduation.) Students who have less than 24 hours completed will be considered for admission on the basis of the freshman admission requirements in addition to college work that has been completed. (Students transferring from a college/university that doesn’t have institutional accreditation will also be considered as first-time freshmen. Credits cannot be transferred to Northwest from a non-institutionally accredited college/university unless the credit was applied to an Associate’s degree at a college/university that does have institutional accreditation, in which case the credit will be awarded from the institutionally-accredited college/university.)

Transfer students must submit an application for admission along with official transcripts from colleges/universities with institutional accreditation attended. Students currently enrolled at a college or university should have an official, partial transcript sent when submitting an application for admission. The official transcript should include the complete academic record from the issuing institution and may include in-progress coursework.  Students must have a 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) cumulative college grade point average in transfer in order to be accepted to Northwest. For students with a cumulative college grade point average in transfer below 2.00, consideration will be given based on professional judgment and acceptance may be granted on a probationary basis. If admitted, a transfer student who has less than 30 credit hours in transfer and a college cumulative GPA between 1.75 and 1.99 will be regularly admitted to the University, rather than on probation.

Application Fee

An application fee may be required for new students applying to Northwest. A complete listing of application fees is available at (660) 562-1562.

Transfer of Credits

Students transferring to Northwest from another college/university with institutional accreditation may be given transfer credit as their transcripts are evaluated by the Office of Admissions-Operations. Non-college parallel courses or technical credit can be transferred only for the Bachelor of Applied Science degree or if part of an Associate of Arts degree unless the Office of Admissions-Operations and the corresponding academic department determine that the courses are equivalent to a liberal arts level course.

Continuing students at Northwest who wish to take courses at another institution as a visiting student should contact the Office of Admissions-Operations prior to enrolling to ensure the viability of transferring those courses into Northwest.

Students have the option of meeting degree requirements as governed by the academic catalog in force at the time of the student’s initial enrollment in higher education (provided that the student has maintained continuous enrollment and has remained in the same major program) or by the academic catalog in force at the time of the student’s initial enrollment at Northwest.

Aside from possible waiver of Northwest Core requirements as detailed below, transfer credit will be evaluated on the same criteria established for native students as set forth in the academic policies section of this catalog. Students may challenge the interpretation of such criteria made by the Office of Admissions-Operations by petitioning Northwest’s Transfer & Articulation Officer located in the Student Success Center.

Transfer credits do not always have an equivalent course at Northwest but may satisfy the Core 42 or department requirements. The following 900-series course numbers are used to show if transfer courses meet Northwest Core requirements, even though the courses are not directly equivalent, or transfer as electives only:

A student has the right to appeal a denial of credit made by the Office of Admissions-Operations to the academic department concerned. If the student is not satisfied with the decision of the academic department, further appeal may be made to Northwest’s Transfer & Articulation Officer located in the Student Success Center.

Transfer Students Holding Associate of Arts or Associate of Science Degrees

Students who hold an associate of arts degree from a college/university with institutional accreditation will have satisfied the Core 42 requirements.

Students who have completed the Core 42-hour block at a Missouri college/university will have satisfied Northwest’s Core requirements.

Students who hold an associate of science degree from a college/university with institutional accreditation will have satisfied The Northwest Core requirements if the student has at least 42 semester hours of general education with the following distribution of courses:

• Communication skills in the English language-nine credit hours total, six credit hours in written communication and three credit hours in oral communication;
• Mathematical sciences-three credit hours minimum;
• Natural Sciences-seven credit hours minimum from at least two disciplines, including one course with a lab component;
• Humanities and Fine Arts-nine credit hours minimum from at least two disciplines;
• Social and Behavioral Sciences-nine credit hours minimum including one Civics course;
• Five additional credit hours in any of the sections above.

These 42 hours must be classified at a level designated for application towards a baccalaureate degree.

Students should note that additional courses in these areas may be required by specific academic programs that have professional licensure and in that case are not waived by the associate degree.

Transfer Guides

Northwest Missouri State University has a number of transfer guides with various community colleges. These guides express a shared commitment to increasing the opportunity for students to gain access to and succeed in higher education. By clarifying transfer policies and procedures which assure articulation between programs, the institutions involved seek to assist students in making a seamless transfer. A current listing of schools and guides may be found at https://www.nwmissouri.edu/admissions/transfer/equivalencies.htm.

Supersede Policy for Transfer Courses

When a student completes the same course two or more times before transferring to Northwest, credit will be awarded for only the highest grade when calculating the transfer grade point average. If a student completes the same course, once at Northwest and once at another institution, the procedures listed in Superseding Grades/Repeating Courses  will be followed like so:

• If the student receives a grade of “D” or “F” in transfer, that grade will be superseded when the class is completed with the same or higher grade at Northwest. A petition for superseding must be completed at the time of registration in the course and can be completed in CatPAWS. The transfer grade will be averaged with the Northwest grade if a lower grade is received at Northwest.
• If the student receives a grade of “A”, “B”, or “C” in transfer, that grade will always be averaged with the Northwest grade that is earned. The grade in the transfer course will never supersede the grade earned when the course is taken at Northwest, regardless of the grade received during the time it was taken at Northwest.

To Transfer:

• Carefully and promptly complete the Application for Admission and submit it to the Northwest Office of Admissions - Operations.
• Applicants must also submit current official transcripts from each college/university with institutional accreditation previously attended (a composite transcript will not be accepted). Students currently enrolled should have an official, partial transcript submitted at the time of application.
• Students who are transferring into Northwest’s School of Education should see The School of Education for additional requirements.

International Student Admissions

Before deciding to attend Northwest, an international applicant should examine his or her financial situation very carefully. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security - and its related departments of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Student and Exchange Visitor Program, and Citizenship and Immigration Services - requires Northwest to certify that international students have been accepted for full-time enrollment and have sufficient funds to meet all expenses: tuition, housing, transportation, etc. Northwest requires a Statement of Support and a bank statement 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, an I-20 Form cannot be issued. Additional requirements are following.

New International Students

To be fully admitted to Northwest, students must submit each of the following items to the Office of Admissions - Operations, Northwest Missouri State University, 800 University Drive, Maryville, Missouri, 64468-6001, USA. Forms are available by request from the Northwest Office of Admissions - Operations.

1. Application for admission (as appropriate).
2. Official academic transcripts from each secondary and post-secondary institution attended. If students are currently enrolled in a college or university, they should send partial transcripts. Transcripts in a language other than English must have official translations attached to the official transcripts. All transcripts become the property of Northwest and cannot be released. Syllabi (course descriptions) must be submitted for all courses taken at universities outside the United States. Transcripts will not be evaluated until syllabi have been received. Secondary school transcripts from Nepal must be certified by USEF-Nepal.
3. Application fee of $75.00 in U.S. currency. This is a non-refundable fee.
4. Students entering Northwest are required to have a reading, writing, and conversational knowledge of the English language. If the student’s native language is not English, he or she must submit a score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic). Undergraduates should have a minimum score of 61 on the Internet-based TOEFL, a 5.5 on the Academic IELTS or a 44 on the PTE Academic. English proficiency scores must be less than two years old at the time the student starts classes. Additional options used to verify English Proficiency include C1 Advanced, Duolingo, EIKEN, GTEC, iTEP, MET, SAKAE and TOEIC. The Northwest website may be referenced for score requirements.
5. Copy of passport.
6. If available, official ACT or SAT scores will be used to determine scholarship eligibility.

Following admission, the following items must be submitted to the International Involvement Center before preparation of the I-20.

1. Statement of support (form provided by Northwest) from family member or sponsor stating amount and years of support.
2. Bank statement verifying that the sponsor has the balance provided on the statement of support. Information may be submitted electronically and should contain the available funds, account holder’s name and number, date of issue, and bear a bank official signature.

Waiver of the English Proficiency Requirement

The following circumstances will waive the requirement of a score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) or other English proficiency tools:

1. If the applicant is a citizen of a country where the recognized language is English.
2. If the applicant has taken the ACT and received a composite score of 21 or the SAT (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing + Mathematics) with a score of 1060.
3. If the applicant graduates and receives a high school diploma from an accredited school in the United States. The transcript will be reviewed and if the student has low grades and/or a low ACT/SAT, additional proof of English proficiency may be required.
4. If the applicant received an undergraduate degree (bachelor’s or associate) or graduate degree from an accredited U.S. institution or a country where the native language is English.
5. If the applicant is transferring to Northwest from another college/university with institutional accreditation in the United States and has completed the equivalent of English Composition I (10-111) and English Composition II (10-112) with grades of C or better.
6. If the applicant has completed the English exam (first language) on International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) or O Levels with a grade of B or higher.
7. If the applicant has scored a 5 or higher on the International Baccalaureate (IB) English: Language & Literature HL exam.
8. If the applicant intends to be non-degree seeking at Northwest and/or is visiting from another college or university.

International Application Deadlines

For international students applying from their home country, the application and documentation noted above must be received by the Office of Admissions - Operations prior to the deadlines noted below. Applications not complete by the deadline will be considered for the next admission session. These deadlines allow for the evaluation of transcripts for admission and for transfer of credit, time to process, send and receive an I-20 and time for the student to obtain a visa.

For students transferring from a school within the U.S., the application and documentation must be received by the Office of Admissions - Operations prior to the deadline noted below. Applications not complete by the deadline will be considered for the next admissions session.

I-20 Form

A Statement of Support completed and signed by the student’s family, sponsor, or government and a bank statement are needed before an I-20 can be issued. Student visas should be obtained before entering the United States, as converting from a tourist visa to a student visa is not assured.

An I-20 Form will be prepared for the applicant after the application and all necessary information have been received and the Office of Admissions - Operations has taken favorable action on the application. The I-20 Form cannot be prepared before the application is officially reviewed and the applicant accepted.

Freshman International Student Admissions

Freshman admission for international students is evaluated on an individual basis. Admission is offered to those students who possess academic qualifications equivalent to those required for domestic first-time freshmen. Consideration is given to the courses taken and grades received in secondary school, as well as to results of school leaving examinations and certificates. The integrity of the student’s native educational system is respected in regard to the university entrance requirements in the native country; students not eligible for university admission in their native country will not likely be granted admission to Northwest.

For comparison purposes, admission requirements for domestic first-time freshmen must include the following:

1. A minimum high school grade point average of 2.00 or “C” average and;
2. A college-preparatory curriculum in secondary school, including courses in mathematics, science, language and social studies.

International Transfer Students

In addition to the items listed previously, undergraduate and graduate international students who are transferring to Northwest from another American university should also submit a Transfer Form to the International Involvement Center following their admission. To be admitted to Northwest as a transfer student, students must also meet all the standards and requirements of American transfer students (p. 22). Students who have less than 24 transfer hours completed will be considered for admission on the basis of freshman admission requirements as well as transfer admission requirements.

Special Admissions

Non-Degree-Seeking/Visiting Students

Individuals who do not wish to pursue a degree at Northwest may apply and be accepted as an undergraduate non-degree-seeking student. The student must be 18 years of age or older or have graduated from high school to be eligible for non-degree status. ACT or SAT scores are recommended for advisement purposes. Non-degree seeking students are limited to an enrollment of six hours per semester and can only receive 18 semester hours credit as a non-degree-seeking student. To continue taking coursework beyond the 18-hour limit, a student will have to reapply as a degree-seeking student and must meet regular admission requirements. Non-degree-seeking students are not eligible to receive federal student financial aid.

Re-Admission of Former Students

Undergraduate students who have been absent from Northwest for one semester or longer (not including summer) must re-apply for admission. Students who have attended other universities since attending Northwest must submit a complete and official transcript(s) of that college credit with their application for re-admission; coursework completed since attending Northwest must be at least “C” level work to qualify for re-admission. Students returning on probation or after being suspended must also provide an essay for re-admission. Contact the Northwest Office of Admissions - Operations for further information.

Adult Students

Anyone who is 24 years of age or older at the time of application will be considered an Adult Student. If they have not attended another college/university with institutional accreditation following completion of their high school career or equivalency, Adult Students will be considered freshmen and admission will be based on their high school GPA or GED/HiSET score, and a personal essay. If available, ACT/SAT scores will be used for scholarship purposes and for course placement. If the Adult Student applicant has completed some coursework at a college/university with institutional accreditation but has fewer than 24 transferable hours, admission will be based on their high school GPA or GED/HiSET score, a personal essay, and review of their college coursework.

GED/HiSET

Based on the 2014 GED score standards, a student may be considered for admission after receiving an equivalency certification meeting the following criteria: a total score of at least 660. Scores from the HiSET exam, the high school equivalency test adopted by Missouri in 2014, are also accepted with a score of 75 or better. Applicants who do not meet these requirements will be reviewed on an individual basis. ACT/SAT may be required unless applicant is an adult student.

Early Release

High school students who have satisfied all the credit requirements for a diploma at their high school before completing eight semesters at their high school may be considered for early release admission to Northwest. In order to satisfy high school attendance requirements, a letter of early release from the Board of Education governing the high school should be on file in the Northwest Office of Admissions - Operations. The University is not responsible for monitoring attendance or academic performance for high school purposes. Students are limited to enrolling in lower-level courses.

Dual Credit for High School Students in Northwest Courses

High school students who have not yet graduated from high school may be enrolled at Northwest in an on-campus course, online course, or a course taught at the local high school while still attending high school. Students must submit a Dual Credit application for admission, along with an official high school transcript. In addition, the student must submit a letter of recommendation and release (for an on-campus course) from his or her high school counselor or principal for each semester enrolled when enrolling in dual credit coursework.

To be eligible to enroll in an on-campus or off-campus course for college credit, juniors and seniors must have at least a 3.00 cumulative grade point average on a scale of 4.00 OR an ACT composite score of 21 or higher and have at least a 2.50 cumulative grade point average on a scale of 4.00 OR a Combined Percentile Index of 100 or higher and have at least a 2.50 cumulative grade point average on a scale of 4.00. Sophomores must have at least a 3.00 cumulative grade point average on a scale of 4.00 OR an ACT composite score of 21 or higher and have at least a 3.00 cumulative grade point average on a scale of 4.00 OR a Combined Percentile Index of 100 or higher and have at least a 3.00 cumulative grade point average on a scale of 4.00. Freshmen must score at the 90th percentile or above on the ACT to be eligible to enroll and have at least a 3.00 cumulative grade point average on a scale of 4.00. In addition, placement exams and specific ACT sub-scores are required for select courses. ACT/SAT Superscores will be accepted. Additional scores such as SAT, ASPIRE, Pre-ACT and PSAT may also be considered. Home-schooled students and those attending unaccredited high schools must submit test scores for dual credit admission. If dual credit is in a music activity, the student is also required to obtain the approval of the appropriate high school and University instructor.

Northwest Students at Conception Seminary College

In order to extend the range of course options, Northwest seniors and juniors have the opportunity to enroll for credit in certain courses at nearby Conception Seminary College in Conception, Missouri. The agreement is reciprocal: Conception Seminary College students are able to cross-register for Northwest courses. Students are eligible if they are in good standing at Northwest. The first nine semester hours earned at Conception Seminary College will be considered residence credit at Northwest.

Graduate Study

Northwest offers graduate programs for master’s degrees, graduate certificates and specialist in education. Requirements are specifically stated in the Graduate Catalog.

Dual Enrollment of Northwest Seniors

Northwest seniors who have less than 30 semester hours to complete their baccalaureate degrees, and who need less than a full enrollment of required undergraduate courses in any term of their senior year, may petition to enroll for graduate level courses. Students must have at least a cumulative 2.50 GPA.

To enroll, complete the Petition for Dual Enrollment and submit to the Graduate Office at least one semester prior to the anticipated dual enrollment. The maximum academic load for dually-enrolled students is 16 semester hours in a semester with no more than seven semester hours in a four-week summer session. The student may not continue past 15 graduate hours unless he or she has met the requirements for admission and candidacy in the graduate program.

Course Numbering

The 600-level courses are reserved for graduate students only, while 500-level courses are available for either graduate or undergraduate credit. The 700-level courses are reserved for students pursuing a Specialist in Education degree. The 800-level courses are reserved for those students pursuing the Ed.D. in Leadership.

For More Information

For further information on any aspect of the Northwest graduate program, consult the current Graduate Catalog, available online only at http://www.nwmissouri.edu/academics/catalog/index.htm.