Degree/Certificate Requirements for Graduation

Catalog Governing Graduation

Students may graduate fulfilling University and departmental major requirements in any single University of Montana-Missoula catalog under which the student has been enrolled during the six years prior to graduation. (For example, the 2013-2014 catalog can be used through summer 2020). The student MUST meet major requirements under the same catalog under which the student is meeting University requirements (general education requirements); minor requirements may be satisfied under a different catalog within the six year period. University or departmental requirements may change to comply with accreditation requirements, professional certification and licensing requirements, etc.

Students transferring to the University of Montana-Missoula may choose to graduate fulfilling requirements under the UM catalog in effect when they were enrolled at their original institution, provided the chosen catalog is not more than six years old at the time of graduation. Eligible students who choose an earlier catalog must notify the Admissions Office at the time of admission so their transfer work can be evaluated accordingly

Applying for Certificate and Degree Candidacy

To become a candidate for a degree, the student must file formal application at the Registration Counter in Griz Central the beginning of the semester preceding the semester in which he or she expects to graduate. Deadline dates are specified in the Class Schedule. In the Missoula College, candidates for certificates and degrees must file a formal application with the Registrar's Office in the College at the beginning of the semester in which they expect to graduate

Credits Required for a Certificate of Completion

See individual College or School catalog sections for certificate course and credit requirements. Course and credit requirements vary by program. 

Credits Required for a Degree

Associate of Applied Science

To receive an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree from the Missoula College, a student must fulfill the following criteria:

1. Complete a minimum of 60 credits, of which 51% must be from UM. Possess a minimum grade average of 2.00 in all work attempted at the University of Montana-Missoula and a minimum grade of C- in all classes that count toward program requirements.
2. Courses numbered below 100 do not count toward the 60 credit requirement, but do fulfill financial aid credit load requirements.
3. Complete the specialized program degree requirements including the following related subject ara of core collegiate-level courses: 
   1. Communication:  the ability to formulate and adapt messages to a variety of audiences through written, verbal, and nonverbal processes. 
   2. Computation:  the ability to complete basic algebraic manipulations and achieve mathematical literacy. 
   3. Human Relations: the ability to analyze social problems and structure, ethical norms of professions and society, human behavior, or human values systems. 
   4. Computer Literacy: the ability to utilize a modern computing system including web applications and an office productivity suite to research, develop and produce information in a 21st century society. 
   5. Professional Competency: To ensure all graduates the opportunity to apply specialized skills in a professional environment, it is recommended student complete a program-related internship, field experience, clinical experience, capstone project, or professional certification activity.

Associate of Arts

A total of 60 credits is required for graduation with an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree. The minimum grade average for graduation is 2.00 in courses taken on the traditional letter grade (A F) basis. To receive an Associate of Arts degree all students must complete successfully all the general education requirements for a baccalaureate degree.

Bachelor Degrees

A total of 120 credits is required for graduation with a bachelor degree; except a greater number is required in teacher education programs, pharmacy, physical therapy and the Bachelor of Applied Science. See the College of Health Professions and Biomedical Sciences section of this catalog.

Students may elect to earn two or more bachelor degrees. Those deciding to earn two or more degrees must complete all the requirements of the majors for each degree. In addition, students must earn for each degree a minimum of 30 credits beyond the number required for the first degree. The degrees may be earned concurrently or at different times.

Upper-Division Requirement

All students must complete a minimum of 39 credits in courses numbered 300 and above to meet graduation requirements for the first baccalaureate degree. Upper division credits transferred from other four year institutions will count toward the 39 credit requirement.

Residency Requirements for Degrees/Certificates

University of Montana credit is the credit earned in any course which has been approved to be listed in the University of Montana-Missoula catalog and which has been approved for offering by the department chair and dean of the school or college in which the course is taught. University of Montana-Missoula credit may be offered at any location.

Requirements for Missoula College Certificate of Completion and Associate of Applied Science Degree

A minimum of 51% of the required number of credits must be earned from the University of Montana-Missoula

Requirements for the Associate of Arts Degree

A minimum of 30 credits of the required number must be earned from the University of Montana-Missoula.

Requirements for the First Bachelor Degree

A first bachelor degree is defined as any bachelor degree earned by a student who has not previously earned a bachelor degree from the University of Montana-Missoula. Thus, the requirements below also apply to any student who previously earned a bachelor degree at another institution and now is seeking a bachelor degree from the University of Montana-Missoula.

a) A minimum of 30 credits of the required number must be earned from the University of Montana-Missoula. b) A minimum of 30 credits of the required number must be earned in study on the University of Montana-Missoula campus.

c) Of the last 45 credits required for the degree, at least 30 of these must be earned from the University of Montana- Missoula. Students attending elsewhere on a University approved exchange may be exempt from this requirement with the prior written approval of their major department chair or dean.

Requirements for the Second Bachelor Degree

In regard to residency requirements, a second bachelor degree is defined as any bachelor degree earned by a student who previously had earned a bachelor degree from the University of Montana-Missoula.

A minimum of 20 credits of the required 30 credits must be earned in study on the University of Montana-Missoula campus.

Credit Maximums

The amount of credit which may be counted toward the minimum credit requirements for the bachelor (B.A./B.S.), associate of science (A.S.), and associate of arts (A.A.) degrees is limited in certain areas follows:

Credits attempted in these areas which are beyond the maximum applicable will remain on the students' permanent record but cannot be used toward graduation.

Grade Average Requirement

A minimum grade average of 2.00 in all work attempted at the University of Montana-Missoula is required for graduation.

Graduation with Honors or High Honors

Students will be awarded their certificates, associate of applied science, and bachelor degrees with honors if they receive the recommendation of their major department or school and the faculty of the University of Montana-Missoula. At the time of graduation they must have a 3.40 or higher grade average in the following four areas:

1. All work attempted at the University of Montana- Missoula.
2. The combination of all work attempted at the University of Montana-Missoula and all other work, including failing grades, transferred to this University.
3. All work attempted in the major field at the University of Montana-Missoula.
4. The combination of all work attempted in the major field at the University of Montana-Missoula and all other work in the major field, including failing grades, transferred to this University.

Students will be awarded their certificates, associate of applied science, and bachelor degrees with high honors if they have the recommendations mentioned above and, at the time of graduation, have a 3.70 or higher grade average in the four areas listed.

In the School of Law, the grade average for honors is computed on law credits only.