History
In 1953, Northwest Missouri State University began a feasibility study for a graduate program leading to the Master of Science in Education degree. This degree was designed specifically for elementary teachers, elementary supervisors and principals, and secondary teachers in the areas of Business, English, Health and Physical Education, and the Social Sciences.
Graduate work leading to a master’s degree was offered for the first time in the summer session of 1955, and the first degree was granted in 1957. The graduate program was accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education following a visit by representatives in the summer session of 1958.
The University has been continuously involved in offering graduate work since 1955. In 1961, a cooperative graduate program was developed for the Master of Education degree which was awarded by the University of Missouri. Northwest Missouri State University phased out its own program over a period of two years and continued the cooperative arrangement until 1967. The last graduate in the M.Ed. cooperative program received his degree in 1969. A cooperative program for the Specialist in Education degree in Educational Administration with the University of Missouri was begun in the 1970 summer session under the auspices of the University of Missouri. Although this program was phased out in 1982, NCA approved the Specialist in Education degree in Educational Administration as offered by Northwest since 1981.
Graduate courses have been offered off site beginning in 1978 when programs were first offered in the St. Joseph area. In 2006, the Kansas City Center was created which firmly established program offerings in the Northland Kansas City area. Since 1997, Northwest and the University of Missouri-Columbia offer a cooperative doctoral degree in leadership. This degree is awarded by the University of Missouri and requires two summers of coursework on the University of Missouri campus with the remainder of the coursework offered on the Northwest campus. Program cohorts have also been established in numerous locations throughout the state to bring educational opportunities at distance locations.