Bachelor of Arts in History

at Northwest Missouri State University USA

Earning a Political Science degree at Northwest prepares students for multiple employment opportunities in public service and private sectors including federal, state and local government, law, criminal justice system, municipal planning, city management, urban affairs, education, non-profit administration, campaigns and elections, public policy analysis and internal development and relations.

The major has three areas of emphasis: the american institutions (formerly criminal justice) emphasis provides an understanding of legislatures, police prosecutors, public offenders and courts and corrections; the public administration emphasis focuses on the decision making process and job opportunities in public organizations and local, state, federal and international agencies; and the global affairs emphasis studies the global trends and events, and enhances intercultural understanding.

Writing majors at Northwest learn skills and techniques in composing content that inspires, communicates, solves problems and seeks truth. Students in Northwest’s writing majors work across the spectrum of writing studies—from writing professional reports to writing poems. Northwest students are not canalized strictly into writing for news media like in a journalism program, to courses in fiction and poetry like in creative writing programs or to vocationally focused genres like technical writing programs. Rather, we’ve designed a major to help and challenge students to grow into flexible, effective, communicative writers.

When employers make hiring decisions, they seek smart people who write well. Northwest’s writing major is like cross-training for today’s job market. You will receive professional training without an expiration date—a liberal arts degree that prepares you for your first job after college and every job you decide to do after. We think studying writing is excellent preparation for life as an artist, scholar, citizen and professional—all the things that you should be when you finish a rigorous undergraduate education at a supportive university, and all the things you need to succeed in contemporary life.

Students may choose to earn a bachelor's degree in writing with an emphasis in professional writing or creative writing and publishing

Animal Science is the study of the production with livestock. Coursework focuses on three core areas: science, research and experiential learning. Science refers to students learning the anatomy, physiology, hormones and appropriate nutrition for livestock; research teaches students how to conduct research; and experiential learning provides student with opportunities for experience at the R.T. Wright Farm including annual procedures such as pregnancy tests on cows, castration and vaccination.

If students are interested in becoming a veterinarian, the Animal Science (Pre-Vet) program is an option. This is a rigorous program that emphasizes in anatomy, physiology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics and histology.

Northwest’s Master of Science in Applied Computer Science is a 16-month program that offers a hands-on, professional education in today's high demand areas including big data, web and cross-platform mobile development, security and design of user experience. Applied development courses coupled with data, projects as well as software and IT management enable students to distinguish themselves and graduate ready to contribute in a competitive, global market.

As a cybersecurity major, students learn skills and techniques that will prepare them for success in their careers or graduate studies. Cybersecurity is the protection of infrastructure, systems, devices, networks, information, and applications from attacks, damage, loss, or unauthorized access through appropriate technologies, practices, and techniques. The program will focus on general computer science skills, and the necessary skills to create, develop, and deploy secure computer-based systems.

The Bachelor of Science in Criminology is an interdisciplinary study of crime and the criminal justice system. It is the broad investigation of the roles that sociological and psychological factors play in determining how a society defines crime, contributes to or deters criminal behavior, and responds to victims and offenders. Criminologists have a wide variety of career paths from which to choose. Those interested in working within the criminal justice system may pursue a number of government jobs including, careers within law enforcement, courts, or corrections.

The Applied Health Science major at Northwest prepares students for careers in the health, fitness, and wellness industry and for graduate studies in areas such as athletic training, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. Students graduating from the program are prepared to develop and deliver comprehensive health and wellness programs that enhance physical, cognitive, and psychosocial well-being of individuals and the community as a whole.

Courses in the Applied Health Science program include content such as human anatomy, the positioning and function of bones, and muscles, and their relationships within the human body; human physiology, the study of the interrelationship between organs and organ systems; exercise science, how the body reacts and performs with physical activity; promoting health, teaching health-related and disease prevention concepts to the general public.

A major in Agricultural Media with an emphasis in production and broadcasting is designed for students with a strong interest in agriculture and radio or television. The major is designed to give students a foundation in communication practices which can be applied in the agriculture community. Students will gain hands-on learning experiences including techniques for pre- and post-production, recording methods, microphone and camera operation and script and story writing. Coursework includes classes in agricultural science, advertising, marketing, journalism and media.

Business Economics majors at Northwest develop analytical, critical thinking and decision-making skills in preparation of evaluating the decisions made by businesses, consumers and government while gaining the fundamental knowledge of business management, accounting, marketing and finance.

Comprehensive communication majors with an emphasis in interpersonal communication study how people create, send and receive messages, and analyze the ways in which messages affect the perception of the relationship. Students learn methods of identifying problems in communication, correcting problems, and training and developing communication abilities for members of various communities. At Northwest, faculty focus on communication theory and ensuring students are efficient in public speaking, writing, group behavior, persuasion and interpersonal communication.