Northwest Missouri State University’s Board of Regents, during its regular session Friday, approved a pair of curriculum proposals in addition to hearing updates regarding the University’s enrollment goals, cybersecurity, and financial outlook.
The two undergraduate programs approved by Regents are interdisciplinary programs that connect areas of study in the Melvin D. and Valorie G. Booth School of Business and the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences.
The first program, a Bachelor of Science in economics with a geographic information science (GIS) emphasis, will sharpen students’ analytical skills in spatial data, offering a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of economic activity. The program will equip students with knowledge to use GIS to analyze and visualize economic data, such as income, employment, and industry statistics to identify spatial patterns and trends of economic activity and make informed decisions about resource allocation.
The second program, a Bachelor of Science in marketing with a GIS emphasis, is designed to address how companies can efficiently allocate resources to promote products in an increasingly competitive marketplace. The program will equip students with skills to conduct market research, analyze spatial data, and make informed decisions about location selection, marketing strategy, and resource allocation. Students also will gain insights into consumer behavior, preferences, and market trends, enabling them to develop personalized and targeted marketing campaigns.
Both programs will launch in the fall of 2024 and be offered on the University’s Maryville campus and online.
Northwest Provost Dr. Jamie Hooyman said Northwest sought to offer the programs, which do not exist at other state institutions, as a response to market demand and growth in the disciplines. The programs, she said, will help Northwest students prepare for and thrive in business roles and public positions, such as economic development, where GIS expertise provides them an advantage
