Vice President for Academics

At Northwestern, we take great pride in the quality of education provided to students with a variety of interests and aspirations. At the heart of that education is a highly committed and qualified faculty who provide instruction on our main campus in Alva as well as at our Enid and Woodward locations, at the University Center in Ponca City, by ITV to students at additional and concurrent sites, and through online courses to students in a variety of locations.  Sixty-six percent of full-time faculty members hold the doctoral degree, and 70 percent hold a terminal degree. This level of expertise, coupled with a student-faculty ratio of 14 to 1, allows the faculty to provide students with the support and experiences that they need to be successful. 

We hope that you will be one of those Ranger success stories now or in the future! 

Dr. James Bell
Herod Hall, second floor
(580) 327-8406
JLBell@nwosu.edu

Dean of Faculty

At Northwestern Oklahoma State University, our academic departments and divisions offer a wealth of opportunity for our students.  Whether you are a concurrent student in high school, a graduating high school senior, a first-generation college student, a transfer student, or an adult learner returning to the classroom, Northwestern has the means to help you achieve your professional goals!  Evidence of this includes our numerous student support programs, extensive student scholarship offerings, a dedicated faculty, and a growing number of program collaborations diversifying available degree pathways.

The highly supportive environment we strive to maintain for our students is reflective of our efforts to nourish faculty aspirations as well. While Northwestern embraces teaching as the primary role as an institution, we also value and recognize the merits of professional activity of our faculty. Supporting the efforts of our faculty strengthens their professional and teaching repertoires, Northwestern as a whole, and ultimately benefits our students.

With genuine excitement, we sincerely hope you will consider Northwestern—Ride, Rangers, Ride!

Dr. Steven Maier
Ryerson Hall 211
Northwestern - Alva
(580) 327-8590
sjmaier@nwosu.edu

All degrees at Northwestern include general education requirements in the sciences, arts, humanities and a field of concentration (major).

Bachelor's Degrees

• Bachelor of Arts (BA)
• Bachelor of Science (BS)
• Bachelor of Arts Education (BAEd) 
• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
• Bachelor of Music (BM)
• Bachelor of Music Education (BMEd)
• Bachelor of Science Education (BSEd)
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
• Bachelor of  Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS)

Master’s Degrees

• Master of Arts in American Studies (MA)
• Master of Arts in Heritage Tourism & Conservation 
• Master of Counseling Psychology (MCP)
• Master of General Psychology (MS)
• Master of Education (MEd)

Doctoral Degree

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

List of Degrees

More information can be found at Undergraduate Catalog, Graduate Catalog and Graduate  Studies.

Northwestern’s academic year consists of two semesters, fall and spring, and a summer session. The fall and spring semesters are each 16 weeks in length. The fall semester begins in mid-August and ends in early-December. The spring semester begins in mid-January and ends in early-May. The summer session begins the first week of June and ends the last week of July. Interim courses also are offered in December, January and May.

Students pursuing undergraduate degree programs are classified by the number of semester hours of credit earned. Hours that are excluded include developmental courses taught below college level and courses in which "F" grades are received. Listed below are the criteria used in the classification process:

• Freshman: fewer than 31 hours
• Sophomore: 31-60 hours
• Junior: 61-90 hours
• Senior: 91 + hours

The General Education program at Northwestern provides a foundation for all degree programs and offers opportunities for students to develop competencies in critical thinking, leadership and literacy. You will want to concentrate on taking these requirements early in your college career.

General Education classes are required of all students for graduation. Some degree programs require specific general education courses. Students should consult the department sections in the Undergraduate Catalog for specific courses in General Education required for majors.

Bachelor’s degrees are available in more than 40 areas of study.

Most popular degree programs:

• Health and Sports Science Education
• Business Administration
• Nursing
• Agriculture
• Education
• Psychology
• Biology
• Accounting
• Computer Science
• Criminal Justice

The student-faculty ratio is 16 to 1. 

Total Campus Enrollment (Fall 2022): 1,849

48% of Fall 2021 Enrollment was made up of First-Generation Students

60% of the people enrolled in 2021 were female

More than two-thirds of college students change their majors at least once during their college careers.

Undecided? While completing your general education requirements, add a few electives. You might discover a path to your future.  

Additional facts about Northwestern may be found in the NWOSU Factbook.

Northwestern Oklahoma State University offers programs that lead to licensure or certification in nursing, education, social work, and counseling.  For students considering programs with a goal of certification or licensure in states other than Oklahoma, please contact your state’s appropriate licensing agency to obtain requirements.  Further disclosure information can be located on our program’s individual webpage.