Bachelor of Arts in Political Science - Global Affairs

at Northwest Missouri State University USA

The biomedical science major emphasizing the chiropractic track is designed for students who want to enter the chiropractic field.

With more chiropractic schools requiring a bachelor’s degree, Northwest offers a unique program that provides students with foundational knowledge in biomedical sciences for three years. During the fourth year, students attend a chiropractic school, gain hands-on experiences, and return to Northwest to finish their bachelor’s degree. Northwest has articulation agreements with Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, and Logan University in Chesterfield, Mo.

Northwest faculty focus on teaching students human anatomy, the positioning and function of bones and muscles, and their relationships within the human body; human physiology, interrelationship between organs and organ systems, and the fundamentals of physical and life sciences.

Spanish majors study the experience of language, life and culture through the lens of the Spanish language. Faculty focus on literary research and cultural studies ensuring students are proficient in speaking and writing in Spanish. Students gain specialty knowledge in film studies, language education and teaching, pluralism and multiculturalism, international relations and politics and language policy.

Geography is a holistic discipline that studies the relationship between humans, the unique cultures of construct and the environments in which they live. This major prepares students for a wide range of careers in varied areas of geography and culture. This major offers three different areas of focus:

• Culture and Society
• Environmental Geography
• Geographic Information Science

Each emphasis allows students to specialize in one of these fields and tailor classes within that emphasis to fit their interest beyond the core courses within the program.

As a student majoring in geography at Northwest, you learn the importance and impacts of space, the uniqueness of places and regions, and how humans and environment interact.

The major focuses on culture and regional geography with a wide range of tropical and regional courses available. Students will develop physical geography expertise in areas like geomorphology, atmospheric processes and sustainability. The major also teaches skills in analyzing, planning and critical thinking to prepare you for success in your career.

Students in the mathematics major will recognize, represent, and use patterns to creatively address problems in a wide variety of settings. At Northwest, students will see and explore the beauty and utility of mathematics from a diverse faculty of highly qualified and nationally recognized mathematicians.  Upon graduation, students will be able to compete successfully for jobs in business, industry, and government or continue in graduate studies.

Marketing is the process of understanding and satisfying customer needs. Advertising, personal selling, determining customer groups to target, making products available in stores, and maintaining inventories are just a few activities that help organizations sell their products and services. A major in marketing at Northwest is an interdisciplinary program that provides students an opportunity to interact with surrounding businesses, complete projects that can be utilized in a portfolio, and prepare students for future interviews.

Radiologic science is the study of obtaining and interpreting medical images for medical diagnosis, assessment and treatment of disease. At Northwest, faculty focus on teaching students basic principles of anatomy, the positioning and function of bones and muscles and their relationships within the human body; physiology, the study of interrelationship between organs and organ systems; basic pharmacology and clinical and patient techniques.

With radiologic technologist positions requiring a degree, Northwest offers a unique two-year program that provides students with the foundation knowledge in requirements for the admission to radiologic schools. Students then attend a radiology school for an additional two years to complete a bachelor’s degree.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Music (comprehensive) is for students who desire a broad approach to their Music education, including applied study, ensemble experiences, music composition, history and theory.

The B.A. in Music can also be paired with an emphasis area, which can include Audio Production, Business or Wellness. The B.A. in Music with Emphasis is intended to provide students with the same broad experience in Music that, when paired with the emphasis area, can lead to careers in Music Production, Arts Management/Administration, Entrepreneurship, Counseling, Studio Teaching and other Music-enhanced careers.

The elementary education program focuses on ensuring that teacher candidates are proficient in the use of instructional strategies, teaching methodologies and classroom management techniques that engage all children in a variety of settings. The program emphasizes diverse field experiences and teaching opportunities beginning in the first semester of classes. The School of Education is dedicated to ensuring students are career-ready and prepared for a successful career as an educator.

Graduates of the elementary education program are certified to teach first through sixth grades and have completed a 21-hour concentration in a content area of their choice. Concentrations can be completed in language arts, social studies, science, mathematics, physical education, special education, technology or other content areas of choice.

Comprehensive communication majors emphasizing in public relations learn methods to understanding targeted audiences, and explaining products, services and missions to a specific audience. Faculty focus on oral, written and verbal communication skills as well as problem-solving skills to effectively meet the needs of management and the targeted audience.

All faculty members teaching public relations classes have professional experience, providing practical knowledge as well as professional contacts in the field.

Geology majors at Northwest study the solid portion of the Earth. Faculty focus on three core areas: rocks and minerals, the surface process that shapes the Earth, and tectonic forces that have occurred in the scale of geologic time.

By studying rocks and minerals composing the solid Earth, students learn where and how they are used daily. The surface process that shapes the Earth focuses on how rivers and glaciers sculpt the land, ultimately influencing soils, farming and national parks. Through the study of tectonic forces, students learn the history of Earth, its internal processes and gain an understanding of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.