Bachelor of Science in Digital Media - Visual Imaging

at Northwest Missouri State University USA

Northwest’s Master of Science in Applied Computer Science is a 16-month program that offers a hands-on, professional education in today's high demand areas including big data, web and cross-platform mobile development, security and design of user experience. Applied development courses coupled with data, projects as well as software and IT management enable students to distinguish themselves and graduate ready to contribute in a competitive, global market.

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.

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.

Art majors with an emphasis in painting learn techniques in acrylic and oil paint, mixed media and develop skills in color manipulation and harmonization. Classes are divided between painting in the studio, formal analysis of art work and discussion of painting concepts. Faculty guide students to develop as visual artists and prepare them for a successful.

The comprehensive major in strategic advertising focuses on the business side of advertising. Students learn about creating and selling advertisements, as well as study marketing, management, consumer behavior and business-focused topics. Faculty ensure students are skilled in the areas of writing, designing, communicating and understanding the impact of the location of a message.

When students graduate, they will be capable of working in marketing or advertising departments of large brand and media companies. They’ll have well-rounded business skills focused on marketing, with the specific skill-sets related to planning, buying and creating advertisements.

The early childhood education program prepares students to successfully complete the licensure requirements of the program and earn their teaching license with an endorsement in early childhood education. This license enables students to teach children birth through the third grade in multiple settings including public and non-public schools, homes and other community settings.

This program offers a strengths-based approach in working with all children including those with special needs and rights. Along with coursework that is focused on child-centered and culturally sensitive practices, students participate in embedded field experiences in the Phyllis and Richard Leet Center and Horace Mann Laboratory School and partnering community settings. Combined, these learning experiences provide the basis from which theories about development, learning and curriculum come to life for our students.

Individually and as a cohort of learners, students learn an integrated approach to teaching and learning through constructivist curriculum practices and strategies that offer meaningful learning within diverse systems and settings. Opportunities to learn together as critical colleagues who further each other’s reflective thinking skills prepares students for professional collaboration in their future careers.

Across the country, the importance of early childhood education continues to grow as studies indicate the long-term benefits educational opportunities in the early years have on shaping future learning outcomes. Faculty focus on preparing childhood teachers, decision makers and intellectual and ethical leaders to create opportunities for learning that ensures the well-being of children and families in their communities and beyond.

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.

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 Bachelor of Art in Theater major combines the knowledge from both theatre performance and technical theater as well as design majors. Faculty focus ensuring students have access to participate in the four mainstage productions as well as four to six student-directed productions per year. Additionally, students have access to professional-level control councils, intelligent lighting fixtures and cutting-edge LED and color changing equipment. Students also learn the fundamentals of modern acting techniques, a range of historical and physical styles to include Greek, Elizabethan, restoration and 20th century “isms”, and writing skills for the stage through scene structure, dramatic tension, theme, action and dialogue.

Speech and theatre education majors become certified to teach grades nine through 12 as well as serve as a play directors and forensics or debate coaches. Faculty focus on ensuring students have the skills and techniques to effectively teach as well as a comprehensive understanding of theatre and all communication areas.

Students majoring in speech and theatre education have access to hands-on experiences beginning their freshman years and direct at least one production prior to graduation. To prepare students for a successful college experience and career, faculty provide a mentoring program that matches new students with upperclassman to help balance school and extracurricular activities.