Southwest Missouri State University
Graduate College
Southwest Missouri State University is committed to graduate education, currently offering 41 graduate degrees in a variety of areas such as administration, health care, teacher education, liberal art, public affairs, physical science, and fine art. Additionally, a specialist in Educational Administration is available. A graduate education is one of the best investments you can make for a better future, both professionally and financially. Data from the US Census Bureau shows individuals in the workforce with a master's degree earn on average significantly more than individuals with a bachelor's degree. A growing number of professions require a graduate degree for employment within the field or for certification, especially in the areas of health care and education. Currently one in six students attending SMSU is a graduate student. Graduate education at SMSU is a stimulating and challenging environment whereby graduates can achieve a competitive edge.
The Community
The main Southwest Missouri State University Campus is located on 225 acres in a residential area in central Springfield. The relatively close proximity of most classroom and laboratory facilities on campus provides for easy walking distance between classes, an efficient shuttle system facilitates student's transportation to more distant sites.
Springfield is the third largest population center in Missouri with a metropolitan service region of 250,000. The community is supported by an industrial, manufacturing base and an expanding service industry in tourism. The city serves as a regional center for health and medical services for southwest Missouri, northwest Arkansas, southeast Kansas, and northeast Oklahoma. Springfield is part of the Ozarks, a region that has a unique cultural heritage, significant agricultural economy, and rapidly expanding tourism and recreational industries.
Programs of study and degree requirements
Southwest Missouri State University offers forty-one graduate programs leading to the Master of Accountancy (MAcc), Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.), Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Master of Health Administration (M.H.A.), Master in International Affairs and Administration (M.I.A.A.) Master of Instructional Media Technology, Master of Music (M.M.), Master of Natural and Applied Science (M.N.A.S.), Master of Physical Therapy (M.P.T.), Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) Master of Public Health (M.P.H.), Master of Science (M.S.), Master of Science in Administrative Studies (M.S.A.S), Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.), Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.), Master of Social Work (M.S.W.), and Specialist in Education (Ed.S.) degrees. Programs of study are available in accounting, administrative studies, biology, business administration cell and molecular biology, chemistry, communication sciences and disorders, communications, computer information systems, defense and strategic studies, educational administration, elementary education, English, guidance and counseling, health administration, health promotion and wellness management, history, international affairs and administration, materials science, mathematics, music, natural and applied science, nurse anesthesia, nursing, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, plant science, psychology, public administration, reading, religious studies, resource planning, secondary education, social work, special education, theater and writing. All programs are accredited by the North Central Association of College and Secondary Schools and many programs are professionally accredited.
Facilities & Resources
Recent additions to the campus include an outstanding performing arts center, three residence halls, a classroom building which provides state-of-the-art teaching and research space for the College of Business Administration, a 1,240 space Park-N-Ride facility, and a $20.25 million Public Affairs Classroom Building. The University also owns and operates a 125-acre agriculture research and demonstration center in southwest Springfield, a Research Campus specializing in fruit experimentation near Mountain Grove, and the Baker Observatory near Marshfield. Financial support for research activities comes form institutional funds as well as gifts, grants, and contracts from private and public sponsors.
Research activities of the Center for Archeological Research, the Center for Resource Planning and Management, and the Center for Ozark Studies are particularly relevant to the University's mission to preserve and advance knowledge of the cultural heritage and environment of the Ozarks region. Outcomes of research in horticulture science and agronomy at the State Fruit Experiment Station, the Midwest Center for Viticulture and Enology, and the Agricultural Research and Demonstration Center are significant to the region's agricultural economy as they relate to fruit production and field crops. Activities in the Centers of Business and Economic Development and Economic Research serve the needs of local, regional, and state industry and business. The Southwest Missouri Area Health Education Center performs education, service, and research projects throughout Southwest Missouri.
Expenses and Aid
Costs 2006-2007
Currently for the 2006-2007 academic year graduate course (600 and 700 level) fees are $227 per credit hour for in-state of residents (fees are updated yearly*) and $354.00 per credit for out-of-state residents. Additional fees may apply such as student services fees and supplemental course fees.
Housing
Living and average cost per year for room and board in resident halls is $3,700. Exact rates depend on housing costs, room style, and meal plan. Furnished apartments are available for graduate/married/nontraditional students for $306-$408 per month. University and privately owned apartments are within a reasonable distance from campus.
Financial Aid
SMSU offers several forms of financial assistance to qualified applicants, including federal loan programs, selected scholarships, and graduate assistantships. Graduate assistantships are available in many areas to assist students with expenses and to enhance learning while studying for advanced degrees at SMSU. Graduate assistantships are offered in both administrative and academic areas and involve administrative, research and/or teaching responsibilities. Whenever feasible, the assistantship assignment is closely related to the student's program of study. Graduate Assistantships offer both a fee-waiver and a stipend.
How to Apply
There are several classifications of graduate study at SMSU which are: Degree Seeking, several categories of Non-Degree Seeking, and Senior Permission. Submission of your application does not guarantee your acceptance as a graduate student or admission into a graduate program. A $25.00 non-refundable fee is required of all first-time graduate applicants.
Admission to the Graduate College requires either a 2.75 cumulative undergraduate GPA or a 2.75 on your last 60 hours or satisfactory GRE (Graduate Record Exam) general test scores. Some graduate programs have additional admission requirements and higher standards, please consult the Graduate Catalog or call us at 417-836-5335 for information about specific programs.
Standardized Graduate Examinations are not required of all graduate programs at SMSU, please consult the Graduate Catalog to find out the examination requirements of your program. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT), and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) are administered as both paper-based and computer-based tests.
To obtain a copy of the SMSU Graduate Catalog please contact the Graduate College at 417-836-5335 or e-mail us at graduatecollege@smsu.edu
Who to contact
For more information, contact:
Southwest Missouri State University
Graduate College
901 S. National Avenue
Springfield, MO 65804
(417) 836-5335
graduatecollege@smsu.edu
The Faculty
Program Directors
GRADUATE COLLEGE
836-5335
Frank Einhellig, Dean
Chalene Berquist, Associate Dean.
Administrative Studies (M.S.), 836-5335
John Bourhis (jsb806f@smsu.edu), Program Director.
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND LETTERS
836-5247
David O Belcher
(dob458f@smsu.edu), Dean.
Communications, (M.A.)
836-5218
Carey Adams (caa074f@smsu.edu), Department Head.
Rndy Dillon (rad986f@smsu.edu), Graduate Coordinator
English, (M.A. and M.S.Ed./Secondary) and Writing (M.A.)
836-5107
W.D. Blackmon (wdb898f@smsu.edu), Dept. Head.
Janes Hoogestraat (jah905f@smsu.edu), Graduate Director.
Music, (M.M.)
836-5648
Dept. of Music, John Prescott (jsp304f@smsu.edu), Dept. Head.
Robert Quebbeman (rcq416f@smsu.edu), Graduate Advisor. Program accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.
Theatre, (M.A. and M.S.Ed./Secondary)
836-5268
Dept. of Theatre and Dance, Robert Bradley (rhb072f@smsu.edu), Dept. Head. Program accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theater.
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
836-4408
Ronald Bottin (rrb639f@smsu.edu), Dean. (MAcc and MBA accredited by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business)
Accounting, (Macc)
836-5414
School of Accountancy, Phillip Harsha (pdh480f@smsu.edu), Director; John R. Willims (jrw783f@smsu.edu), Gradute Program Advisor
Business Administration, (MBA)
836-5646
D. Michael Fields (dmf603f@smsu.edu), Associate Dean and Graduate Program Director.
Concentrations in Economics (John Hoftyzer, Dept. Head, 836-5516), Computer Information Systems (Jerry Chin, Dept. Head, 836-4131);
Finance and General Business (George Swales, Dept. Head, 836-5504), Management (Barry Wisdom, Head, 836-5415),
Marketing, and Quantitative Analysis (Robert Luke, Dept. Head, 836-5413).
Computer Information Systems, (M.S.)
836-4131
Jerry Chin (jmc808f@smsu.edu), Dept. Head.
David Meinert (mscis@smsu.edu), Graduate Advisor. This program is available on the internet.
Health Administration, (M.H.A.)
836-5415
Management, Barry Wisdom (blw355f@smsu.edu), Dept. Head.
Robert Lunn (rol561f@smsu.edu), Program Director
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
836-5254
David Hough (dah315f@smsu.edu), Dean (Programs accredited by the Missouri State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education).
Educational Administration, (Specialist in Education, Ed. Administration; and M.S.Ed. Ed. Administration)
836-5392
William Agnew (wja656f@smsu.edu) Department Head), Secondary, Special Education, Vocational Education, and Superintendent. SMSU collaborates in a cooperative program with the University of Missouri-Columbia (UMC) leading to an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership. The degree is conferred by UMC.
Elementary Education, (M.S.Ed., Elementary.)
836-5796
School of Teacher Education, Suzanne Byrde (smb825f@smsu.edu), Director; Cindy Wilson (ckw081f@smsu.edu), Graduate Program Director.
Guidance and Counseling, (M.S.)
836-5449
Charles Barke' (crb024f@smsu.edu), Dept. Head.
Instructional Media Technology (M.S.Ed., Inst. Media Tech.)
836-4386
School of Teacher Education, Suzanne Byrde (smb825f@smsu.edu), Director; Roger Tipling (rnt853f@smsu.edu), Graduate Program Director.
Reading, (M.S.Ed., Reading)
836-6769
School of Teacher Education, Suzanne Byrde (smb825f@smsu.edu), Director; Deanne Camp (jdc628f@smsu.edu), Graduate Program Director.
Special Education, (M.S. Ed., Special Education)
836-6769
School of Teacher Education, Suzanne Byrde (smb825f@smsu.edu), Director; Linda Grrison-Kane (lgh216f@smsu.edu), Graduate Program Director.
Secondary Education, (M.S. Ed., Secondary Education)
836-6721
Areas of emphasis include agriculture, art, biology, business, chemistry, earth science, English, geography, history, industrial education, instructional media technology, mathematics, modern and classical languages, music, natural science, physical education, physics, political science, social science, speech and theatre, vocational family and consumer studies.
Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)
836-6769
School of Teacher Education, Suzanne Byrde (smb825f@smsu.edu), Director; Christopher Craig (cjc886f@smsu.edu), Associte Dean nd Gradute Program Director.
COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
836-4176
Cynthia Pemberton (clp473f@smsu.edu), Dean.
Communication Sciences and Disorders, (M.S.)
836-5368
Neil DeSarno (nd579f@mail.smsu.edu), Dept. Head. Program options in audiology, education of the hearing impaired, and speech-language pathology. Programs accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Assoc. and Council of Education of the Deaf.
Health Promotion and Wellness Management, (M.S.)
836-5370
Thomas Burnett (thb427f@smsu.edu), Dept. Head; Dalen Duitman (dmd271f@mail.smsu.edu), Director of Graduate Studies.
Nursing, (M.S.N.)
836-5310
Kathryn Hope (klh895f@smsu.edu), Dept. Head.
Nurse Anesthesia, (M.S.)
836-5603
Dept. of Biomedical Sciences; Harold Falls (hbf931f@smsu.edu), Dept. Head; Albert Gordon (rg372f@smsu.edu), Graduate Advisor.
Psychology, (M.S.)
836-5797
Fred Maxwell (frm650f@smsu.edu), Dept. Head. Industrial/Organizational, Clinical, and General Psychology options.
Physical Therapy, (M.P.T.)
836-6179
Mark Horacek (mjh421f@smsu.edu), Director.
Physician Assistant Studies, (M.S.)
836-6151
Patricia Ragan (pdr692f@smsu.edu), Director.
Public Health, (M.P.H.)
836-5550
Dalen Duitman (dmd271f@smsu.edu), Director of Graduate Studies.
School of Social Work, (M.S.W.)
836-6953
Anne Summers (abs901f@smsu.edu), Acting Director; Mary Ann Jennings (maj398f@smsu.edu), Graduate Director. Program is accredited by the Council on Social work Education.
COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
836-5529
Lorene Stone (lhs301f@smsu.edu), Dean.
Defense and Strategic Studies, (M.S.)
836-4137
William Van Cleave (vam979f@smsu.edu), Dept. Head.
History, (M.A. and M.S.Ed./Secondary)
836-5511
Marc Cooper (mac556f@smsu.edu), Dept. Head; William Piston (wgp936f@smsu.edu), Graduate Advisor.
International Affairs and Administration, (M.I.A.A.)
836-5630
Dept. Of Political Science, Beat Kernen (brk265f@smsu.edu), Department Head; Dennis Hickey (dvh804f@smsu.edu), Graduate Advisor.
Public Administration, (MPA)
836-5630
Dept. of Political Science, Beat Kernen (brk265f@smsu.edu), Department Head; Patrick Scott (pgs074f@smsu.edu), MPA Program Director. Accredited by the National Association of Schools for Public Affairs and Administration.
Religious Studies, (M.A.)
836-5514
James C. Moyer (jcm625f@smsu.edu), Dept. Head; Stanley Burgess (smb209f@smsu.edu), Graduate Advisor.
COLLEGE OF NATURAL AND APPLIED SCIENCES
836-5249
Lawrence Banks (leb793f@smsu.edu)., Dean.
Biology (M.S. and M.S.Ed./Secondary)
836-5126
Steven Jensen (slj205f@smsu.edu), Dept. Head; Tom Tomasi (tet962f@smsu.edu), Graduate Advisor.
Cell and Molecular Biology (M.S)
836-5603
Albert Gordan (arg372f@smsu.edu), Graduate Director.
Chemistry (M.S. and M.S.Ed./Secondary)
836-5506
Tamara Jahnke (tsj118f@smsu.edu), Dept. Head; Vernon Thielmann (vjt822f@smsu.edu), Graduate Advisor.
Materials Science, (M.S.)
836-5131
Ryan Giedd (reg796f@smsu.edu), Dept. Head; James Broerman (jgb223f@smsu.edu), Graduate Advisor.
Natural and Applied Science, (M.N.A.S.)
836-6887
William Cheek (whc256f@smsu.edu), Associate Dean and Graduate Program Director. An interdisciplinary program where students select concentrations in at least two of the following emphasis areas: agriculture, biology, chemistry, geography, geology and planning, mathematics, physics and astronomy, and technology.
Plant Science, (M.S.)
836-6887
Dept. Of Fruit Science, James Moore (jfm594f@smsu.edu), Dept. Head; William Cheek (whc256f@smsu.edu), Associate Dean and Graduate Program Director.
Resource Planning, (M.S.)
836-5800
Dept. of Geography, Geology, and Planning, James Skinner (jls519f@smsu.edu), Department Head; Robert Pavlowsky (rtp138f@smsu.edu), Graduate Director.
Mathematics, (M.S. and M.S.Ed./Secondary)
836-5112
Yunchen Cheng (yuc471f@smsu.edu), Dept. Head.