Northwestern Oklahoma State University Northwestern Oklahoma State University , also known as NWOSU , is a university in Alva , Oklahoma , with satellite campus es in Enid and Woodward . Northwestern is a state university that offers both bachelor ' s and master ' s degrees . Establishment . In 1897 , a normal school , or school for teachers , was established in Alva by an act of the Oklahoma Territorial Legislature . It was the second normal school in Oklahoma , charged with preparing teachers to serve the many one - room schoolhouses that covered the prairie . It was called the Northwestern Territorial Normal School . The new school ' s faculty consisted of the school ' s first president , James E . Ament , and two teachers . Classes were held in the Congregational Church until construction of the first building , the " Castle on the Hill , " was complete in 1899 . History . The school became a four - year teachers college in 1919 and changed its name to Northwestern Oklahoma Teachers College . The school expanded in 1939 to include degrees in liberal arts as well as education , and its name changed again , to Northwestern State College . The final name change occurred in 1974 when the school was given its present name . Northwestern ' s greatest tragedy happened on March 1 , 1935 , when the Castle on the Hill was destroyed by fire . In 1948 , a contest was organized to adopt a new school fight song and a new alma mater . The winning submissions were announced in March 1949 . Both were made by Floyd McClain , a 1940 graduate of Northwestern who was then attending the Boston Conservatory of Music . The new fight song was entitled " Ride , Rangers , Ride , " and the new alma mater was entitled " Oh Northwestern . " They are still the official fight song and alma mater , although band directors have altered the arrangements over the years . In 1957 , a contest was launched to select a motto for the university . The motto chosen was " Learn Today , Lead Tomorrow , " submitted by Kay Hutcheson , a junior student at Northwestern . More history on the university can be found at History of Northwestern . Expansion . In 1951 , the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education authorized Northwestern to offer courses , transferable to the University of Oklahoma or Oklahoma State University , applying toward a master ’ s degree in education . In 1954 , the board approved a program leading to a master of education degree at Northwestern . In the fall of 1978 Northwestern implemented a program leading to a master of behavioral science degree . A nursing degree program was established in the fall of 1981 to respond to the nursing shortage in northwest Oklahoma . The Oklahoma Legislature passed legislation that created two new branch campuses at Enid and Woodward . Northwestern became one of the first institutions to establish a bachelor of e - commerce degree in the fall of 2000 . More than 100 years have passed since Northwestern Oklahoma State University opened its doors . Since then , it has progressed from a normal school offering only teaching certificates to an institution offering degrees at the bachelor ' s and master ' s levels . The 1897 campus of 40 acres ( 0 . 16 km² ) without buildings in one town has now become more than 400 acres ( 1 . 6 km² ) and 36 buildings located in three communities . The three faculty members and 68 students have increased to more than 220 faculty and staff members and more than 2 , 300 students . Academics at Northwestern . Northwestern offers bachelor of arts degrees and bachelor of science degrees in more than 40 areas of study . The university ’ s academic programs are set up in two schools — the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Professional Studies . Degree programs . Bachelor ’ s Degree Programs • Accounting • Agri - Business • Agricultural Ecology • Biology • Business Administration • Business Information Systems • Chemistry • Computer Science • Conservation Law Enforcement • Criminal Justice • E - commerce • Education • English • General Studies • Health & Physical Education • History • Mass Communications • Mathematics • Music • Nursing • Political Science • Psychology • Social Work • Sociology • Spanish • Speech & Theatre • Technical Management • BA of Applied Arts & Science Pre - Professional Fields • Pre - Dentistry & Dental Hygiene • Pre - Engineering • Pre - Law • Pre - Medicine • Pre - Occupational Therapy • Pre - Optometry • Pre - Osteopathy • Pre - Pharmacy • Pre - Physical Therapy • Pre - Physician ’ s Assistant • Pre - Radiologic Therapy • Pre - Veterinary Medicine Teaching Fields • Business Education • Early Childhood Education • Elementary Education • English Education • Health & Physical Education • Mathematics Education • Music Education • Natural Science Education • Social Science Education • Special Education • Speech & Theatre Education Master ’ s Degree Programs • Master of Education • Adult Education Management & Administration • Clinical Teaching • Elementary Education • Guidance & Counseling — PK - 12 • Non - Certificate Option • Reading Specialist • Secondary Education • Master of Counseling Psychology • Licensed Professional Counselor U . S . News and World Report ranks Northwestern . U . S . News and World Report has listed Northwestern as Oklahoma ' s top - ranked public regional university for three straight years . Northwestern also was recognized as a national leader in lowest student debt . The national magazine also reports that Northwestern offers the nation ’ s most affordable room and board for students living on campus . Northwestern ’ s cost of $ 3 , 700 for room and board is the lowest in the country , and the magazine encourages students who are looking to cut college costs to consider choosing colleges with low room and board costs . The figure of $ 3 , 700 is based on a semi - private room with 19 meals per week . ( Since ranking , Northwestern ' s rate has increased to $ 3 , 760 / year ) . References . brian sochia nfl houston , miami , denver . 1pro bowl