Graduate Studies Overview

Graduate Studies

If you are interested in furthering your higher education at Northwestern, we offer master’s degree programs in Education, Counseling Psychology, General Psychology, American Studies, and Heritage Tourism and Conservation– and one doctorate program in Nursing Practice (BSN to DNP online).

STEPS FOR APPLYING TO GRADUATE SCHOOL

  1. Apply or reapply for admission to the NWOSU​

    1. Application for Admission https://www.nwosu.edu/apply-online
    2. Application for Readmission /forms/application-for-readmission
      1. Send in official transcripts

        1. All official E-Transcripts must be submitted by the issuing institution to Sheri Lahr at sklahr@nwosu.edu or  Teri Warren at tlwarren@nwosu.edu to be considered official or

        2. Mail to NWOSU-Registrar 709 Oklahoma Blvd. Alva, OK 73717

      2. Complete the Immunization form /forms/immunization-form
      3. Be accepted by the university

  2. Complete the Application for Specific Program of Study

Required documents needed for the application process will include the following:​

  • Unofficial transcripts
  • Any current teaching certificate or letter from the Department of Education you may hold (for Master of Education students only, exempt Adult Ed students)
  • Statement of aspiration and self-evaluation (Master of General Psychology and Master of Counseling Psychology students only)
  • Sample of scholarly written work (Master of General Psychology and Master of Counseling Psychology students only)
  • Three letters of recommendation (Master of General Psychology and Master of Counseling Psychology students only)
    • ​Recommendation form  for Master of Psychology applicants
      • ​NOTE: Submission of three (3) letters of recommendation attesting to academic ability, professional competency, and personal character is required.  Individuals providing a recommendation must complete the online Reference Form wherein they will upload your letter of recommendation.  It is your responsibility to ensure that your recommenders receive the Reference Form link and submit the Reference Form by the application deadline.  The Reference Form is here: www.nwosu.edu/forms/masters-of-psychology-reference-form.

 

Information Request Form

Graduate Catalog

Graduate Program Costs

ALCA

EDUC 5010 Graduate Seminar

GRADUATE STUDIES CONTACTS

Dr. Shawn HollidayShawn Holliday, Ph.D.
Associate Dean of Graduate Studies
Ryerson Hall, Office 212 
(580) 327-8589
spholliday@nwosu.edu​ 

 

 

Melissa Brown, M.Ed
Coordinator of Graduate Studies
Ryerson Hall, Office 212
(580) 327-8410
mbrown@nwosu.edu

Please contact Mrs. Brown with questions concerning applying to graduate school, enrolling in courses, etc.

Affirmative Action Compliance Statement

This institution, in compliance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, and other applicable federal laws and regulations, and to the extent required by law, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes, but is not limited to, admissions, employment, financial aid, and educational services. Inquiries concerning the application of these programs should be made to Calleb Mosburg, Dean of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, 709 Oklahoma Boulevard, Alva, OK 73717, (580) 327-8415.

 

Graduate Studies Highlights

  • Graduate Studies infoMaster of Arts in Heritage Tourism and Conservation degree option for students interested in the conservation/tourism industry
  • Master of Arts in American Studies degree option geared toward social sciences and humanities
  • Master of Counseling Psychology can lead to Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC)
  • Master of Education degree offers several certificate options within the program
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice program is nationally accredited, one of four DNP programs available in Oklahoma
  • Non-Oklahoma residents are eligible to receive the GO OK! tuition waiver for a portion of out-of-state costs

Comprehensive Exam Info

COMPREHENSIVE EXAM 

Each master's degree student must pass a comprehensive examination at the conclusion of his or her graduate program in order to receive the appropriate master's degree.

Master of Arts in American Studies Candidates are required to pass a multi-question essay exam about the core and elective courses that each candidate has taken. Specific questions will be composed by members of the candidate's graduate advisory committee in consultation with the candidate. The exams will then be graded by committee members with a consensus vote of pass/fail. Approximately one month after the exam, candidates will orally defend their answers at a mutually-agreed-upon date and time with their graduate advisory committees.

Master of Counseling Psychology Candidates are required to pass a multi-question essay exam. The exam is pass/fail, graded with a consensus vote of the advisory committee and/or the psychology department faculty. Candidates must also orally defend their exam answers at a later scheduled date after the exam was taken.

Master of Education candidates must develop and defend an Action Research Project according to guidelines developed by the Division of Education and approved for the graduate program by the Graduate Committee.

Details about the M.A. in American Studies exam, the M.C.P. exam, and the M.Ed. Action Research Project defense can be found in Section 2, pages 9-10 in the 2016-2017 Graduate Catalog.

Oral Follow-Up Form to the Final Comprehensive Exam

General Forms

NOTE: Forms in PDF format require Adobe's Acrobat Reader, available free from Adobe.com. The University website, plus fillable PDFs work best using Google Chrome.

PLEASE NOTE that ORIGINAL SIGNATURES of the student and the members of the advisory committee are required prior to submitting the plan of study to the Graduate Office.

No hand-written forms will be accepted by the Office of Graduate Studies.

If you have questions, please contact the Graduate Office at (580) 327-8410 or send an email request to gradstudies@nwosu.edu.

SUMMARY OF PROCEDURES FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS

General Forms

Disposition Form (due concurrently with Milestone 1, 2, and 3 portfolio assessments)

Starting in the Fall 2013 semester, all disposition forms should be filled out by students and faculty in ALCA.

The first Disposition Assessment is a self-evaluation due in the semester of the 10th hour of graduate work. The first Disposition Assessment coincides with Milestone 1.

The second Disposition Assessment is completed by a faculty member or adjunct who has taught the candidate. After completing the disposition assessment in ALCA, the faculty member or adjunct faculty will discuss it with the graduate teacher candidate. The second Disposition Assessment will be part of Milestone 2.

The third Disposition Assessment is completed by a faculty member or adjunct who has taught the candidate. After completing the disposition assessment in ALCA, the faculty member will discuss it with the graduate teacher candidate. The third Disposition Assessment will be part of Milestone 3.

The fourth Disposition Assessment is another self-assessment that the student fills out at the end of his/her program.

Additional Disposition Assessments may occur at any time during a teacher candidate's education program.

Data is collected and recorded for each graduate teacher candidate including the semester and year, and the score for each of the eight dispositions on the Disposition Assessment form.

 

Plans of Study Forms

  • NOTE: Only ONE copy is required, but it must have original signatures of advisory committee members.

  • The forms are fillable PDFs and require Adobe's Acrobat Reader, available free from Adobe.com. The University website, plus fillable PDFs work best using Google Chrome.

  • No hand-written Plan of Study forms will be accepted by the Office of Graduate Studies.

  • If you have questions, please contact the Graduate Office at (580) 327-8410 or send an email request to gradstudies@nwosu.edu.

  • You need to SAVE the fillable PDF before filling it out. PRINT, SIGN, and DATE a copy and gather the signatures of the advisory committee, then forward the completed form to the Office of Graduate Studies.

  • How to Download and Use an Editable PDF File for Graduate Studies (PDF)

Master of Arts

Master of Psychology

Master of Education

Alternative Pathway Certification

Graduate Advisory Committee Membership Grid

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Northwestern Oklahoma State University

709 Oklahoma Blvd., Alva, OK 73717
Phone: (580) 327-1700

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Northwestern Oklahoma State University provides quality educational and cultural opportunities to learners with diverse needs by cultivating ethical leadership and service, critical thinking and fiscal responsibility.

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