Montana State University is located in Bozeman, Montana. It was founded in 1893 as a land-grant institution and received university status in 1965. It is a unit of the Montana University system and has Carnegie classification as a Doctoral/Research University-Intensive. The University now awards bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. It is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Montana State University defines its mission as, among other areas, “to provide a challenging and richly diverse learning environment in which the entire university community is fully engaged in supporting student success.”
The Agricultural College of the State of Montana was founded in 1893, and was later renamed the Montana College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. The institution slowly developed a deeper commitment to the sciences and humanities, so in 1965 it was officially deemed Montana State University.
Montana State University
Academics
The University is composed of a number of different schools and colleges including the College of Agriculture, the College of Arts & Architecture, the College of Business, the College of Graduate Studies, the College of Letters & Science, the College of Education, Health & Human Development, the College of Engineering, and the School of Nursing. Students may earn either bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees as well as professional certificates and continuing education credit. Montana State offers majors in a plethora of subjects but many students choose to participate in their many agriculture and science-related courses.
Bachelor’s degrees are awarded in numerous disciplines, including the standard topics as agriculture, fine arts, music, business, education and engineering. There are different concentrations available within many of these majors so that students may specialize in areas of interest. There are also some less common areas of study including equine studies, farm and ranch management and biotechnology. An interdisciplinary bachelor of liberal studies degree is also offered so that students may create a degree specific to their areas of interest. Students may enroll in an honors program, work within a university studies program, and take part in an undergraduate scholars program.
Master’s degrees are awarded in agriculture, fine arts, accountancy, education, engineering, English, various sciences and nursing among many others. Many of Montana State’s graduate programs are extremely hands-on and involve working with professionals in the field to problem solve and research so that when students graduate, they have both a theoretical education and practical experience.
The school awards numerous doctoral degrees in fields such as agriculture, education, and the sciences. The University also offers a post master’s certificate option for family nurse practitioners, and an educational specialist (Ed.S.) degree. There are also several Ph.D. options in areas that include math, environmental ecology, history and american studies. The school has a wide array of options available to students at all levels.
Most Popular Fields of Study
The top 5 fields of study completed at Montana State University.
The Honors Program is concerned with establishing an academic environment, within which students can explore, debate, and learn with one another in the spirit of academic inquiry. Special seminars and some of the most qualified faculty are available to students who enter the Honors Program. Honors students are also encouraged to undertake independent research and study projects.
Montana State University also offers an extensive study abroad program so that students may gain their education while studying in a global environment. Students may choose from such wonderful places as Africa, Europe, Oceania, North America, Central America and Africa and may study for a term, a semester, or a year. Financial aid often covers many of the expenses associated with travel abroad so the program is affordable to many people.
Montana State University
Admissions
Applications to the undergraduate programs are accepted for entrance to either the summer, fall or spring terms. Students are encouraged to apply early in order to allow plenty of time for transition. In addition to the application form and fee, students must provide high school transcripts, official ACT or SAT scores or proof of high class rank and a student self-report form. Regardless of class rank, students are still required to submit the writing sections of their standardized tests. Students who do not meet the minimum scores on the writing section are required to pass a writing course within their first three semesters at Montana State. Applications can be submitted on-line. Students accepted to the honors program must have a minimum cumulative grade point average, and must also maintain a minimum university grade point average in order to graduate with an honors degree.
The university requires minimum ACT or SAT scores in order to be considered for acceptance, as well as minimum coursework in high school. This includes completion of college preparatory coursework including four years of English, three years of mathematics, three years of social studies, two years of laboratory science, and two years of either a foreign language, computer science, visual and performing arts, or vocational education. Students must also meet particular combinations of requirements of test scores or coursework in mathematics. The ACT or SAT score requirement may be deferred if the student ranks highly among the graduating class.
Graduate students must provide the following for admissions to the graduate school: application and fee and documents as required by the program to which they are applying. Many programs will require a preliminary application, which should be completed prior to submitting the University application. The graduate application must be accompanied by the application fee. Each graduate program may have separate requirements, so students should contact the school of choice to determine exactly what is required.
Financial Aid
The University of Montana offers financial aid in the form of need-based and merit-based scholarships, waivers, grants, work-study programs and federally subsidized loans. The first step in applying for any form of financial aid is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that is available online starting in January. The application requires financial information for both the student and family so applicants should have this information readily available prior to completing the form. Students should complete the FAFSA as soon as possible in order to be eligible for all programs.
Student Financial Aid Details
How many students use Financial Aid, and how much do they use?
Montana State University 3149th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best Montana scholarships and financial aid
In addition to the numerous classroom, dormitory, and administration buildings, Montana State University is home to the Museum of the Rockies, which has a variety of exhibits related to Rocky Mountain life, and a planetarium.
The Montana State University Library offers electronic catalogs and on-line databases, in additional to physical volumes stored on site. There is a special creative arts library, and there is also a special collection on trout and salmonids.
Montana State University is home to more than 12,000 students, with the percentages of males and females almost equal, 50/50. The average undergraduate is 22 years-old, and the majority are residents on the MSU campus.
Student Enrollment Demographics
How many students are enrolled at Montana State University?
Montana State University is a member of the NCAA Division I Big Sky Conference. The football team competes in Division I-AA. Men’s sports include football, basketball, indoor and outdoor track and field, alpine and nordic skiing, cross country, and tennis. Women’s sports include basketball, volleyball, indoor and outdoor track, cross country, tennis, alpine and nordic skiing, and golf. The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association is active within the Big Sky Conference and provides the competition for MSU’s men’s and women’s rodeo programs.
The school colors are blue and gold, and the MSU nickname is “The Bobcats.” Sports facilities include a field house, a gym, a stadium, a tennis center and a track and field complex. Games can be seen through the Internet, and a network of radio stations throughout Montana broadcasts Bobcat games.
Local Community
The campus consists of 1170 acres in the Gallatin Valley of the Rocky Mountains. Bozeman is near several ski resorts and also has a symphony and a cultural arts center. Bozeman’s motto is “The Most Livable Place.” Snuggled between beautiful mountains and among some of the most scenic views in the country, Bozeman is a paradise for lovers of small town living. The people are quiet and friendly and the downtown area is well kept and inviting. The nightlife is as simple as sitting on a porch enjoying a cup of coffee or as exciting as catching a rodeo or having a few cocktails with friends at local clubs. Bozeman is the epitome of Western living.
Bibliography
Montana State University. Montana State University. 2011. Web. 20 June 2011.
*City of Bozeman: The Most Livable Place. City of Bozeman. 2011. Web. 20 June 2011.
Campus Crime Statistics
Ranks 2nd in Montana and
292nd overall
on StateUniversity.com‘s Safe School Index
Feel free to add comments or additional information regarding Montana State University, or discuss this school in the University Discussion Forum
over 1 year agoKeith
Q: When was the last time MSU won their division in football?
about 4 years agoEdward Mooney, Jr. Flags ((at)) EdwardMooney dot com
I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Montana State University and went on to a large university in California to earn a Master's degree. I discovered my academic preparation from MSU was exceptional; I was exposed to information that exceeded the materials in the first year of my master's work. I rate Montana State University at 5 STARS.
about 5 years agoSandra Ng Akram ng-s ((at)) sbcglobal dot net
My son will be attending in the fall first semester. Kevin Ng. Please send me info on housing and how to drive there from the airport.
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Q: When was the last time MSU won their division in football?