Bachelor of Science in Education with Social Studies - 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.

Psychology majors at Northwest learn the scientific study of a person’s thoughts and behaviors. Northwest faculty help students understand three core areas: scientific research methods that enhance critical thinking skills, evidence and claims knowledge; insight of an individual’s personal behavior, motives and thought processes; and the understanding of the biological and social factors that contribute to human development, cognitive skills, relationships and personality.

The first of its kind in Missouri and the region, Northwest’s Data Science major is an interdisciplinary program with four areas of emphasis: computer science, business, molecular biology and geographic information systems.

The business emphasis is designed for students interested in analyzing data and projecting the best option for a client. Faculty focus on ensuring students have tools to analyze big data and make proper business decisions.

Biology Education majors at Northwest study the curricular content as well as methods to apply it into a classroom. This major prepares students to teach all biology courses at the secondary education level (grades 9-12).

Students take courses in the biology curriculum that focus on botany, zoology, physiology, cell (molecular) biology or bio-chemistry, evolution and diversity, genetics and ecology. Faculty incorporate practical teaching knowledge where students learn to implement a curriculum in the classroom, create a positive classroom environment, methods of effective communication, and techniques of assessing learner’s progress in the classroom.

The first of its kind in Missouri and the region, Northwest’s Data Science major is an interdisciplinary program with four areas of emphasis: computer science, business, molecular biology and geographic information systems.

The geographic information systems (GIS) emphasis focuses on visualizing data through digital and physical maps, analyzing data for locational patterns and trends as well as presenting data in map-based and graphical formats to inform locational decisions in business, government, and the non-profit sector.

Economics majors at Northwest develop analytical, critical thinking and decision-making skills in preparation of evaluating the decisions made by businesses, consumers and government. The goal of this degree is to assess information and decisions in order understand the structure, operation and investigation of decisions.

In addition to small class sizes, Northwest students receive instruction from faculty who have received the Dean’s Award for Exemplary Teaching and the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Classes are small and upper-level courses have an average of fewer than 10 students.

Physics is the study of basic principles that govern the universe such as the underlying laws of matter, space, time, etc. Physics majors at Northwest get hands-on learning opportunities while using experimental equipment using the gamma ray spectroscopes to study nuclear physics and electrical circuits to study and understand the components and how they work.

Physics emphasis areas include:

• Biological Science
• Computer Science
• General
• Geological Science

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.

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.

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.