I spent three eye-opening days in Missoula, Montana at the University of Montana.  UM is home to 11,000 undergrads and sits in a picturesque valley.  Rising up behind the campus is Mount Sentinal, where a large M has been placed on the hill.  I hiked up the steep switchbacks and was treated to a phenomenal view of Missoula.  Campus is bordered on one side by the Clark Fork River.  The day I arrived it was over 100 degrees and the river was filled with folks in inner tubes enjoying the weather and the scenery.  Glacier national park is just a three hour drive away.

I learned that Montana only has 9,600 graduating seniors and only 55% of them go on to 4 year college, therefore the universities have plenty of capacity for out of state students.  The incoming freshmen class for 2012 is 1,990.  Minimum gpa for admission is 2.5 and 22 on the ACT.  Admissions are rolling. Opportunities for WUE scholarships are limited to students above a 3.77 gpa with a 27 on their ACT. Departmental and leadership scholarships are also available.  The honors college requires a separate application and offers additional scholarship opportunities.

We were treated to a brief presentation by the Dean of each college.  Each shared with us a unique program or offering in their college:

Arts & Sciences -The largest college on campus offers a program in Irish Studies, Environmental Studies and Native American Studies.  International travel, service learning and research are all encouraged.

Business -Offers a strong Entrepreneurship program where students have the opportunity to compete for $10,000 and present their ideas to potential investors.  A newer program is the certificate in Entertainment Management, where classes are taught by well known people in the entertainment industry.

Technology (soon to be Missoula College, Uof M) - This is actually a two year college with its campus a few miles away.  Students attending this program are invited to live on campus at UM and participate in all of the activities. This is a community college experience with smaller class size and lower tuition.  Two year programs are offered in Energy Technology, Culinary Arts, Health Professions, Industrial Technology and more.

Health Professions & Biomedical - Offers pre-medical advising and upper level programs in Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Public Health and Social Work.  The school offers a certificate in Public Health and a Bachelors in Social Work.

Visual & Performing Art -Programs in Theater, Dance, Art, Media Arts and Music.  Study abroad program in Vienna where 50 students and 10 professors go to Vienna for 6 weeks.  Media Arts program offers digital film making, integrated digital arts, sonic arts (for recording engineers).  Multiple scholarships are available.

Education & Affinity Science -Education at all levels, including Educational Leadership for those interested in becoming a Principal.  Students are hands on from day one.  Counselor education and clinical and school psychology.  Health and Human Performance are also housed in this school with an opportunity to study Athletics, Health Enhancement and Health Promotion.  Speech majors have the opportunity to work at the Wright Core Clinic.

Journalism -Home to one of the oldest Journalism schools in the country.  Offers a BA in Journalism and Radio, concentration in Broadcast Journalism.  All programs require an internship.  There is a loyal alumni base to help with internships and jobs.

College of Forestry and Conservation -Offers 5 majors including Wildlife Biology.  Programs with a land animal or fisheries & aquatics focus.  Opportunities to take your experience and work in the parks or in the private sector.  Students can participate in a Wilderness Medicine Semester which consists of time in Montana and Costa Rica.

University of Montana provides incredible opportunities for out of state students who enjoy being outdoors while engaging in an academic environment.

Back