Northwest plans to welcome its students back to campus for in-person classes in the fall. (Northwest Missouri State University photo)

Northwest Missouri State University intends to offer courses on its campus during the fall of 2020, the University has announced. The fall semester is scheduled to begin Wednesday, Aug. 19.

“We know you’re anxious to return to campus and the places you enjoy gathering,” Northwest President Dr. John Jasinski said in a video message for students. “Bearcats, our intent is to be open on campus, in-person, for fall 2020. There are, of course, caveats to that, and it will not look the way it did even three months ago. We don’t yet know all of the realities we may need to confront, but our teams are working diligently to protect student success and our people as we navigate this new normal.”

Northwest also has announced its plans to celebrate spring graduates with rescheduled commencement ceremonies at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8, in Bearcat Arena.

Northwest’s summer courses are being offered online-only as a result of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. Spring courses at the University that were not already online-only resumed March 23 in an online-only format and have remained that way for the duration of the spring semester, which ends May 8.  

The University also continues to provide academic services and resources virtually. Offices providing online resources include the Student Success Center, Wellness Services, B.D. Owens Library and Career Services.

To help minimize the spread of COVID-19, Northwest currently is operating in a restricted mode, and all campus facilities are closed to the public.

About Northwest Missouri State University

With an enrollment of about 7,100 students, Northwest is a coeducational, primarily residential four-year university that offers a broad range of undergraduate and selected graduate programs on its Maryville campus as well as its Northwest-Kansas City location at the Northland Innovation Center and through Northwest Online.

Founded in 1905, Northwest is home to the Missouri Arboretum and has been named one of the “50 Most Amazing University Botanical Gardens and Arboretums in the U.S.” The campus also has been named the safest in Missouri.

Northwest’s graduation rate is in the 90th percentile among its peers with 71 percent of students graduating with a college degree. In addition, 97 percent of Northwest bachelor’s degree earners and 99 percent of master’s degree earners secure employment or continue their education within six months of graduation, according to the most recent data. Zippia, a career website, names Northwest the best college in Missouri for getting a job.

Northwest places a high emphasis on profession-based learning to help graduates get a jumpstart on their careers. Students have opportunities to build their résumés with experiences on campus in nearly every area of study, including the Horace Mann Laboratory School, National Public Radio affiliate KXCV, the R.T. Wright Farm, Mozingo Outdoor Education Recreation Area or Knacktive, a student-driven integrated digital marketing communications agency.

Furthermore, its vibrant and diverse learning community offers more than 150 student organizations, and textbooks and a laptop are included in tuition, which is among the lowest in the nation, saving students an estimated $7,400 over four years. Northwest also offers 1,200 student employment positions, allowing students to build professional skills through its internationally benchmarked student employment program. 

For more information about Northwest and its performance, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/aboutus/facts/.