Graduate Programs

Master of Science in Education
Teaching - Instructional Technology

Master of Science in Education
Teaching - Early Childhood Education

Admission To the Graduate School

Applications are available online from Northwest Missouri State University. Students must complete the following steps:

1. Submit an application for Graduate Admission.
2. Forward official copies of transcripts from all previously attended institutions to the Graduate Office.
3. GRE requirements must be completed before the end of the first trimester of enrollment.
4. Follow individual program admission requirements.


Tuition: (As of Fall 2006, Subject to Change Without Notice)
Graduate In-State: $244.25 per credit hour
Graduate Out-of-State: $429.75 per credit hour

An applicant for admission to graduate study must hold a baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher learning accredited by the appropriate regional or national accrediting agency. The applicant must complete the Application for Admission to Graduate School. All undergraduate work toward the baccalaureate degree and any previous graduate work must be verified by official transcripts showing both the credit and grade earned. Admission to graduate study is not the same as admission to candidacy for a master’s degree. Each graduate program has specific admission policies in addition to the policies for admission to graduate study.

There are two categories for admission:

1. Regular admission to graduate study requires a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale and official scores from the GRE test. This admission does not constitute admission to a specific program. A writing assessment is required during the first trimester of enrollment. Graduate students who earn below a 3.00 grade point average for two consecutive terms of enrollment will be suspended for one term. A student who has been re-admitted after a one-term suspension and who does not achieve a 3.00 grade point average for the term of re-admission will not be permitted to continue in that master’s degree program.

2. Conditional admission to graduate study is allowed if the student has a cumulative undergraduate GPA between 2.20 and 2.49. The student must achieve a 3.00 GPA in his or her first eight semester hours of graduate study or be subject to suspension for one calendar year. This conditional admission does not constitute admission to a specific program. A writing assessment is required during the first trimester of enrollment. Conditionally-admitted students, initially enrolled in eight or more hours, who withdraw from all graduate classes during their enrollment as a conditional student, will also be suspended from graduate study for one calendar year. Re-admission is possible after one year by application for re-admission to the program.

Transfer Credit

No more than nine semester hours of graduate credit consisting of no more than four courses may be transferred into a graduate program. Transfer credit must be from a regionally- or nationally-accredited institution. The acceptance of the full nine hours is conditional on the applicability to the student’s planned degree program. Only work evaluated “B” or above is acceptable for transfer credit and applicable to a specific master’s degree program. Coursework taken for ungraded credit cannot be used toward a degree. Official transcripts must show that the credit is at the graduate level. No transfer credit will be accepted for courses taken by correspondence. The Graduate School has the option of not accepting transfer credit from a regionally and nationally accredited institution for courses offered by that institution in a state outside of the state where the institution has its home campus.


Registration

Times for graduate registration will be announced each trimester. Courses at the 600 level are for graduate students only.

Steps Required During the First Trimester

1. Official final undergraduate transcripts must be submitted (if not previously provided).
2. Official final graduate transcripts must be submitted (if not previously provided).
3. Official GRE scores must be provided.
4. An Approved Program Form must be on file. Contact the advisor for help.
5. Submit a writing sample. Contact the advisor for help.

Steps to Candidacy

1. Submit graduate transcripts for transfer credit (if applicable).
2. Completion of at least 8 graduate hours required by the program.
3. For teacher education programs, supply a valid teaching certificate or official Praxis II results if required by the program. One or both of these must be opn file in the Graduate Office prior to taking the comprehensive exam.
4. Must maintain a 3.00 or better GPA in the joint degree program.
5. Admission to Candidacy occurs after the Approved Program Form (APF) is filed and above requirements for candidacy have been met. A degree seeking graduate student may not continue past 15 graduate hours if he or she has not met requirements for candidacy. The Graduate Office will notify the student after he/she has been admitted to candidacy.

Steps to Graduation

1. Complete the research component requirement. Contact the advisor.
2. File the application to take the Comprehensive Exam. This is required no later than the third week of the student’s final trimester (1st week during summer). The department will notify the student with specific date and time of the exam.
3. File the application for master’s degree. This is required no later than the third week of the student’s final trimester (1st week during summer). This form must be filed even if the student does not intend to participate in the commencement exercise.
4. During the last trimester of graduate study, check with the Graduate Office to make sure records are complete.
5. Prior to commencement, the Registrar’s Office will mail a commencement schedule, which will contain a form to order cap, gown, and hood.
6. A one-time fee graduation fee will be assessed and must be paid, even if the student does not participate in the commencement exercise.

Last Updated Sept. 7, 2006

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