Bachelor of Science in Education- Early Childhood Education

at Northwest Missouri State University USA

The business education major provides hands-on, cutting-edge courses in the areas of business, technology, marketing, accounting and economics while providing the core principles of effective education. This major is designed to prepare students to teach at the secondary level (grades 9-12). The business education major is recognized nationally and by the state as an outstanding business education program, and Northwest is the only public institution in Missouri north of I-70 that offers a business education program.

At the high school level, teachers are trained to educate students on more specialized content such as the theories of business, marketing, accounting and technology. At the middle school level, teachers focus on the basics of keyboarding, computer applications, introduction to business and money management.

Students majoring in mass media with an emphasis in broadcasting and production gain critical thinking and communication skills that aid in learning processes and techniques for pre- and post-production, recording techniques, microphone and camera operation, script writing and legal and regulations of public radio and television. Students have opportunities to participate on the staffs of Northwest’s award-winning radio and television stations as soon as the first semester of their freshman year.

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.

Northwest’s technical theatre and design major provides multiple hands-on opportunities to students, beginning with the first semester of their freshman year. Students perform four mainstage productions as well as four to six student-directed productions each year. Additionally, students have access to professional-level control councils, intelligent lighting fixtures and cutting-edge LED and color-changing equipment.

Northwest professors focus on producing employable graduates and preparing students for advanced education. In addition to hands-on opportunities available to technical theatre and design majors, faculty help prepare resumes, cover letters and portfolio monologues for each performance.

Spanish majors study the experience of language, life and culture through the lens of the Spanish language. Faculty focus on literary research and cultural studies ensuring students are proficient in speaking and writing in Spanish. Students gain specialty knowledge in film studies, language education and teaching, pluralism and multiculturalism, international relations and politics and language policy.

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.

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.

A Foods and Nutrition major at Northwest is the study the science of nutrition and how nutrition impacts the human body. Faculty focus on teaching students skills to modify and assess individualized nutrition such as meal plans; nutrition counseling as it relates to human behavior; food science; food preparation; and food service management.

The program is a three-step process. First, students complete Northwest’s accredited didactic foods and nutrition program requirements; second, students apply to and complete an accredited dietetics internship after graduation; and third, students take the national registered dietitian exam.

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.