Northwest Missouri State University has announced it plans to close its St. Joseph location later this year.

The university said the closing is due to the movement of programming to other locations and students’ desires for access to the experience and services its Maryville campus. Also, the school said it is trying to focus on creating financial efficiencies. Northwest expects to save between $450,000 and $500,000 in FY18 by closing Northwest-St. Joseph. The closure will result in the elimination of one staff position.

“Students enrolled in our information systems master’s program have regularly provided feedback to faculty and leadership in the School of Computer Science and Information Systems about their desire to study in Maryville,” Northwest Provost Dr. Timothy Mottet said. “We also believe Northwest can continue to serve St. Joseph through the quality programing we offer at our Maryville campus as well as Northwest-Kansas City.”

Mottet said there will be no disruption in program delivery by closing Northwest-St. Joseph. Northwest’s master’s program in information systems will begin instruction on the Maryville campus by fall 2017 for new students, and current students will transition by December 2017.

Northwest-St. Joseph moved into its current location, the Historic Green Acres building at 3500 North Village Drive, near the city’s Belt Highway and Interstate 29, in 2012. It had maintained a presence on Felix Street in downtown St. Joseph from 2007 to 2012. Prior to that, the University had offered post-baccalaureate courses in St. Joseph for more than 40 years, but always in classrooms provided by other schools.