Bachelor of Science in Recreation - Recreation and Park Management

at Northwest Missouri State University USA

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.

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.

Theatre performance majors engage in a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to performance. Students learn through improvisation and script analysis; acting techniques that include knowledge through a variety of historical and physical styles including Greek, Elizabethan, restoration and 20th century “isms”; as well as techniques to increase vocal and physical awareness of the actor. Students gain hands-on experiences through classroom work, work-shopping, internships and on-stage productions from seasoned professionals in performance theatre.

Mathematics with an emphasis in data sciences is the study of mathematical tools to analyze data for the purposes of modeling and prediction. Students learn to

• Extract and clean data
• Manipulate data
• Visualize data
• Identify patterns in data
• Use the model for prediction and forecasting
• Use models to summarize and describe values

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.

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.

Agronomy majors at Northwest gain fundamental training in the study of crop and soil management. Faculty focus on three core areas to ensure student success: fundamental principles of producing healthy, bountiful and sustainable crops; science of soil as a natural resource and component of agro ecosystems; and methods of determining and implementing solutions to crop and soil management systems.

This major offers three different areas of focus:

• Crop Science
• Horticulture
• Soil Science

The School of Health Science and Wellness at Northwest Missouri State University offers a Master of Science in Applied Health and Sports Science dedicated to the development of future leaders in a variety of health, wellness, and physical activity and sport settings.

Through this program, students will gain knowledge in key areas of health and sport science, including the physical, psychological, and environmental aspects of human performance. Courses and requirements in the program will allow students the opportunity to expand their knowledge, skills and competencies.

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.

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.