Online Application available at https://www1.applyyourself.com/aylogin.cfm?ID=nmsu-ma&Package=A

Printable Application available at http://www.nwmissouri.edu/MASMC/MASMC_Ap.pdf

• 23 ACT composite, 24 on math OR 1100 SAT I with 600 on math
• Completed Geometry and Algebra II prior to enrolling
• Evidence of distinction in math and science
• Demonstrate maturity and the ability to benefit from the Academy experience.

• High school records
• 4 recommendations (English, Science, Math, and student choice)
• ACT or SAT scores
• 1-page parent essay
• 2 personal essays and other written statements

Qualified candidates are invited for an interview, at one of several sites around the state on specified days. Exceptionally strong candidates may be exempted from the interview process.

The Missouri Academy of Science, Mathematics and Computing (MASMC) is a new high school replacement program at NWMSU and based off of the TAMS model. As the name suggests it is designed for technically interested students. Participants in this program receive a 2-year college education in place of their junior and senior years of high school and successful completion earns them both a high school diploma and an associate of science degree.

In an effort to generate more technically skilled students in the state of Missouri, MASMC is subsidized as an advanced high school program and provided at low cost to all qualified residents from within the state. While not excluded, residents of other states would have to pay for all NWMSU costs equivalent to out-of-state students, and are not eligible for any support from MASMC.

All students live in Cooper Hall on campus, and as the program expands, they also plan to expand into adjoining Douglas Hall. “Residential Counselors” and other full-time staff are available around the clock to assist student needs. In addition to typical university policies, students are subject to curfew, sign-in/sign-out, restricted areas, study hall, prohibited from bringing cars and other program specific policies. In particular, students are expected to document where they are going, with whom, and how on evenings and weekends. For security reasons, students are required to be accompanied by one or more other persons when leaving campus or travelling on campus after dark.

Each room is provided with one computer and high-speed network access, and students are permitted to bring their own PC. Additionally students are provided local phone service and may subscribe to long distance service, but they must provide their own touch-tone phone. Phone and network access is turned off between the hours of midnight and 6:30 AM in order to help guarantee appropriate amounts of sleep. All students subscribe to the same meal plan that may be used at the numerous on campus eateries and is also accepted by two local pizza delivery stores. Additionally the residence hall provides the following facillities:

• Low cost laundry machines
• A number of TVs and VCRs in public areas (students are not allowed to bring their own TV)
• Snack and Beverage machines
• Designated areas for practicing with musical instruments
• Microwave ovens and other cooking facillities (no microwaves or other heating appliances allowed in student rooms)
• Recycling Bins (County law requires active recycling efforts)

MASMC observes all breaks and holidays under the NWMSU calendar. During the various breaks and for a number of “closed weekends” during the school year, students are required to go home. The residence hall is closed and they will not be allowed to stay on campus. For most other weekends during the year, they may go home or stay as they wish. During a few weekends, students must be on campus for manditory MASMC activities.

To graduate from MASMC a student must complete the following coursework with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50:

• General Biology and one other approved biology course
• Chemistry through General Chemistry II
• Physics through fundamentals of Classical Physics II
• Mathematics through Calculus II
• One computer programming course
• 2 Trimesters of English Composition
• 2 Trimesters of English Literature
• America - A Historical Survey
• An approved History/Humanities course
• Introduction to American Politics and Government
• Each Trimester’s Academy Seminar

The exact courses and the order in which they are taken is tailored to individual student ability and needs. Typically biology and chemistry are taken in the first year and physics in the second year, whereas English and Mathematics are taken continuously over the two years. Other requirements are met as time allows. Students who have above a 3.0 cumulative GPA (B average) may take one or more electives after their first trimester, as time allows in their schedule. These electives may be chosen from any NWMSU course for which the student has the necessary prerequisites. During MASMC, students will take classes that are predominantly composed of Academy students as well as those which are predominantly regular university students.

In addition to the above courses, in May (following the end of the second trimester) there are intensive, specialized 3 credit seminars that MASMC students participate in. These are described as follows:

“During the month of May, specialized four-week long courses are developed based on mutual interests of Academy students and Northwest faculty. Community service projects enable students to contribute to their local and global communities in direct and meaningful ways.” - Academics, MASMC Website

The MASMC curriculum typically results in 73 - 82 semester credits for successful students.

Free math and science tutors are provided for students. In addition, all students are required to participate in 3 hours of required study 5 nights a week. Students who demonstrate high levels of academic achievement and appropriate behavior may earn the privilege of being released from some or all nights of required study.

As previously noted, MASMC is a new organization and is thus still in the process of establishing its own set of traditions and clubs. With the approval of the Assistant Dean of the Academy, “[s]tudents are permitted to form and join groups of common purposes, which are consistent with the philosophy, rules and regulations of the Academy and that are open to all members of the Academy Student Body.” Each such club is required to have a faculty/staff advisor. The two most important student organizations are the Student Government Association and the Student Activities Committee, both of which represent the student body as a whole to the MASMC administration.

In addition to MASMC clubs, students may participate in NWMSU organizations; however, a student must be given permission each time he wants to join a university club. Academy students may not join fraternities or sororities or participate in any of their functions. Pursuant to NCAA rules, students are ineligible for intercollegiate atheletics, but they may participate in a wide variety of “intermurals and wellness activities” deemed safe for younger students by the Director of the University Intermural Program. In order to participate in such sports and make use of the on-campus Rec Center, students are required to have a signed permission statement from their parents filed with MASMC.

“All students are expected to participate in scheduled service projects.” (MASMC Handbook, p. 28) Additionally there is other programming put together by MASMC in which students are expected to participate.

Colleges and universities are typically grouped based on the highest degree that they regularly award, which in the case of Northwest Missouri State University is the Master’s degree.

NWMSU publishes facts and information about their university at: http://www.nwmissouri.edu/aboutus/profile.htm

Online form for requesting more information about NWMSU: http://applyyourself.com/prospect/aycontact.cfm?id=NMSU-U

For detailed comparison information and college rankings, we recommend America's Best Colleges published by US News & World Reports and available online at a cost of $10.

The above data may be as much as five years old. Number of majors may include 4-year pre-professional programs.

Maryville is located in the northwest corner of Missouri and has a population of approximately 10,000. This location is approximately 90 miles north of Kansas City, and 40 miles north of the city of St. Joseph, MO which is the nearest significant city (pop. 71,000).

“Northwest Missouri State University is a moderately selective, learner-centered regional university offering a focused range of undergraduate and graduate programs. Historically, the University serves 19 northwest Missouri counties, emphasizing programs relating to agriculture, business, and education.

In its undergraduate programs, Northwest is committed to providing students with a strong general education core preparing them for a world of constant change. The University is a national leader in applying information technology to improve learning processes and in promoting continuous quality improvement to enhance performance in all of its activities. As a leader and initiator of cooperative efforts within its region, Northwest seeks to expand and improve access to learning and to promote applied research designed to address regional and state issues.” - NWMSU Undergraduate Academic Catalog 2000-2002