Northwest Missouri State University
800 University Dr, Maryville, MO 64468, United States

Northwest Missouri State University is a public university in Maryville, Missouri. It has an enrollment of about 8,505 students. Founded in 1905 as a teachers college, its campus is based on the design for Forest Park at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair and is the official Missouri State Arboretum.

Master of Science in Biology

The Master of Science in Biology is a two-year, 32-credit hour program to strengthen students’ content knowledge, problem-solving skills and research capabilities. Students will gain an increased specialization in a biological discipline, an enhanced ability to perform independent research, and be trained in scientific study design and concept application pertinent to their discipline of focus.

*Enrollment Open to Students on F-1 Visas

Why Study Biology at Northwest

Through tailoring coursework to meet students’ interests, specially-selected faculty mentors ensure students can demonstrate their ability to interpret and report data in written and oral formats. Graduates are prepared for employment in their focus area of biology and to be successful in subsequent professional or doctoral studies.

In addition to the two different areas of concentration, this program also offers three options for completion.

  • Option 1 (Thesis)
  • Option 2 (Non-Thesis, Scholarly Paper)
  • Option 3 (Non-Thesis, Professional Development Experience)

Biomedical / Molecular

Students in this area of concentration will study molecular biology, immunology and readings in molecular biology and more.

Environmental/ Organismal Biology

Students in this area of concentration will study plant physiology, herpetology and aquatic and soil environmental chemistry, just to name a few courses.

https://www.nwmissouri.edu/academics/graduate/masters/biology.htm 

A baccalaureate-level degree from either an accredited American university or one recognized by the Ministry of Education (international institution).

A cumulative undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.50 on a 4.00 scale. (GPA requirements may be higher, please see catalog for specific program requirements)

A score report from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) as required by program. See specific graduate admissions requirements online.

Application fee of $75 in U.S. currency

This is a nonrefundable processing fee required of every applicant. It must accompany your application in order for your request for admission to be considered. Fees are payable online via credit card or fees can be paid in U.S. dollars via check made payable to Northwest Missouri State University.

Official academic transcripts from each secondary and post-secondary institution attended.

Students currently enrolled in a high school, college or university should send official transcripts with any certificates of graduation, if applicable. Transcripts must be certified and placed in a sealed envelope by the issuing institution and sent to Northwest via post. All transcripts become the property of Northwest and cannot be released. In addition to transcripts in the native language, certified translations must be attached to the official transcripts.

  • Graduate admission:
    • Applicants should consult the Graduate Catalog for GPA requirements. 
    • Please note that individual mark sheets for college coursework are required for evaluation.

Bank statement (submit after acceptance)

A bank document verifying that your sponsor has a balance of at least $31,817 USD for undergraduate students and $16,967 USD for graduate students should be submitted after acceptance. Information may be submitted electronically and should contain the available funds, account holder’s name and number, date of issue, and bear a bank officer signature.

English proficiency exam score report

Students entering Northwest are required to have reading, writing and conversational knowledge of the English language.

If a student is not a citizen of a country where the native language is English, then he or she is required to meet minimum score requirements on one of the tests listed below:

  • DUOLINGO - 105
  • IELTS - 6.0
  • TOEFL- 71
  • PTE - 53

Visit Language Requirements for additional conditions that fulfill the English proficiency requirement. 

Acceptance

The items below are for after you receive your acceptance email from Northwest.

Copy of passport

A photocopy of the personal data page of your passport.

Northwest statement of support form (submit after acceptance)

This form should be filled out by sponsor, stating amount and years of support and submitted after acceptance. A separate Affidavit of Support is not necessary. (If student is supporting his or her self, this form is not necessary.)

Other options

Below are items specific to international transfer students or international graduate students.

Transfer recommendation form

This is required only if applying as a transfer student from another United States university.

https://www.nwmissouri.edu/admissions/international/apply.htm 

For students applying from their home country, the application and documentation must be received by the Office of Admissions prior to the deadline noted. Applications not complete by the deadline will be considered for the next admission session. These deadlines allow for the evaluation of transcripts for admission and for transfer of credit, review of graduate applications by the respective departments, time to process, send and receive an I-20 and time for the student to obtain a visa.

Which semester are you enrolling?      Application Deadline        Document Deadline
Fall (August) Semester                                 June 15                             July 1
Spring (January) Semester                          November 1                      November 15

https://www.nwmissouri.edu/admissions/international/timeline.htm