Bachelor of Science in General Studies

at Northwest Missouri State University USA

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

Biology/Psychology majors at Northwest study the brain and how it functions and controls human behavior. Faculty focus on three areas: genetics, evolution and neuroscience or the study of the brain. Genetics courses concentrate on the inherited factors that influence behavior such as mental illness and behavioral traits; evolution courses emphasize the significance and benefits of the size of the brain; and courses about the brain focus on the functions, malfunctions and brain disease.

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.

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.

A degree in History prepares students for careers in government, public service, business industry, archives, museums and historical preservation as well as writing and research.

As a history major at Northwest, students become familiar with the human experience and determine how history fits into the context of the world. Students will study the evolution of the earliest man to the present day, as well as events and values as well as causes and effects that determine how the world has been shaped. At Northwest, students are taught to become critical thinkers who study evidence in order to obtain a conclusion and communicate that information in clear, concise methods.  

Professors offer relatively small classes and close interaction with students. Additionally, all upper-level courses are taught by University instructors rather than graduate assistants.

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.

Recreation majors at Northwest is the study of play and leisure in an individual’s life and methods to improve quality of life. Student can emphasize in:

• Recreation and Park Management which prepares students for program leadership and development, and budget and facility management;
• Corporation Recreation/Wellness which involve programs related to a person’s physical well-being;
• Therapeutic Recreation which prepares students with the skills to assess and evaluate the needs for individuals with special needs; and
• Sport Management prepares students for leadership roles in professional, collegiate and community sports organizations.

The curriculum is designed to provide the additional education necessary for students with vocational or technical non-transferable certificate/degrees to earn a bachelor's degree.

Art majors with an emphasis in printmaking gain skills and techniques in many areas of printmaking such as monoprinting, intaglio, relief and digital processes. Faculty ensure students have experience with all methods of printmaking and the ability to print editions in each medium.

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.