Undergraduate Nondegree Status

An applicant who wishes to pursue studies for his or her personal growth and who does not wish to work toward a formal degree at The University of Montana-Missoula may apply as an undergraduate nondegree student. Each applicant should understand that acceptance to this category does not constitute acceptance into a degree granting program. Applicants admitted as undergraduate nondegree students usually are not eligible for financial aid.

Academic Eligibility

Each applicant must certify on the application form that he or she has graduated from a high school that is fully accredited by its state department of education, or has passed the General Educational Development test with a standard score of 35 or above on each test and an average standard score of 45 or above on all five tests.

Except in the College of Technology, a maximum of 30 semester credits earned as a nondegree student will be applied to an undergraduate degree at The University of Montana-Missoula if the applicant applies and is accepted to a degree program. Whether credits taken in the College of Technology as a nondegree student may apply to a particular degree program is dependent on the courses taken and the degree program to which the student may be admitted. This category is not open to students currently on academic suspension from The University of Montana-Missoula. Freshman (non-transfer) applicants may not enter in this status unless they are accepted for College of Technology courses only.

If a person is admitted as an undergraduate nondegree student and later wishes to change to a degree program, he or she will be required to file an application for readmission available from Admissions & New Student Services, the College of Technology, or the Registrar's Office, furnish the required supporting credentials and meet the regular admissions requirements for the intended program.

How to Apply

Receipt of the following credentials in Admissions & New Student Services or the College of Technology constitutes a complete application for admission to the undergraduate nondegree status:

  1. Application form. The application form may be obtained from the Office of New Student Services, The University of Montana-Missoula, Missoula, Montana 59812 (406) 243-6266 or the College of Technology (406) 243-7882. It should be completed, signed, and returned.
  2. $30.00 application fee. This non-refundable fee is payable once at the undergraduate level provided payment is followed by enrollment. In all other cases, record of payment will remain on file for one year. An application cannot be considered prior to payment of this fee. The University of Montana-Missoula waives the application fee for students who have attended an affiliate campus: Montana Tech and the Division of Technology, Helena College of Technology, and Western Montana College.
  3. Medical History Record. All applicants are required to submit a completed Medical History Record to the Student Health Service prior to registration. This form will be sent to students upon receipt of their application for admission. It is especially important that the immunization record be complete and accurate and validated by a health official.

When to Apply

March 1 is the application priority deadline for autumn semester. The application priority deadline for spring semester is November 15. Applications and application fee must be postmarked by these dates. Applications postmarked or completed after these deadline dates will be processed on a space available basis. In the College of Technology, all nondegree applications are processed on a space available basis.

Graduate Nondegree Status

Applicants having a baccalaureate degree who do not desire a graduate degree or who have not yet been accepted by the Graduate School into a graduate degree program may enroll as graduate nondegree students. (Students wishing to be admitted to a graduate degree program must apply for admission through the Graduate School, furnish the required supporting credentials and meet all regular admission requirements of the Graduate School.)

Graduate nondegree students may take courses for either graduate or undergraduate credit, as defined in the catalog. Graduate credit will be assigned automatically unless a request for undergraduate credit is submitted to the Graduate School by the fifth week of the semester. Graduate credits earned will not necessarily be applied toward graduate degree requirements if and when an individual is admitted to a graduate degree program.

There is a limit of nine graduate credits (or the credits earned during a single semester, whichever is more) for courses taken while in the graduate nondegree status which might later be applied toward an advanced degree at the University. These credits must be requested by petition to the graduate dean and require the approval of the program chair to which the individual is seeking graduate degree admission.

Graduate nondegree students are urged to seek advice from the Graduate School if they have any intention of pursuing a graduate degree program. Applicants admitted as graduate nondegree students will not be eligible for financial aid. Graduate nondegre students are assessed the graduate level surcharge of all credits taken.

Academic Eligibility

Applicants must have earned a baccalaureate degree (or higher degree) from a regionally accredited college or university prior to enrollment in the graduate nondegree status at UM.

How to Apply

Receipt of the following credentials in Admissions & New Student Services constitutes a complete application to the graduate nondegree status:

  1. Application form. A completed application form may be obtained by contacting Admissions & New Student Services, The University of Montana-Missoula, Missoula, Montana 59812 (406) 243-6266. It should be completed, signed and returned.
  2. $30.00 application fee. This non-refundable fee is payable once at the graduate level provided payment is followed by enrollment. In all other cases, record of payment will remain on file for one year. An application cannot be considered prior to payment of this fee. The University of Montana-Missoula waives the application fee for students who have attended an affiliate campus: Montana Tech and the Division of Technology, Helena College of Technology, and Western Montana College.
  3. Medical History Record. All applicants are required to submit a completed Medical History Record to the Student Health Service prior to registration. It is especially important that the immunization record be complete and accurate and validated by a health official.

When to Apply

March 1 is the application priority deadline for autumn semester. The application priority deadline for spring semester is November 15. Graduate nondegree applications and required credentials must be postmarked by these dates. Applications postmarked or completed after these deadline dates will be processed on a space available basis.

Former University of Montana-Missoula Students - Readmission

Students wishing to reenroll at the College of Technology must apply for readmission if they have interrupted their attendance by a semester or more (except summer). Other students previously enrolled at The University of Montana-Missoula who have interrupted their enrollment for one year or more must submit an application for readmission. Applications for readmission may be obtained from the Registrar's Office. Former students applying for a change in their admission status (undergraduate degree, undergraduate nondegree, graduate nondegree) via the readmission process are subject to the admission requirements described above. Former undergraduate degree students who do not plan to change their status and who have attended another college/university since attending The University of Montana-Missoula, even if their absence from UM has been less than one year in duration, also must apply for readmission. Former students who have not been enrolled for more than twelve months preceding their return to the University must submit a new Medical History Report to the Student Health Service. This form will be sent to former students upon receipt of their application.

There is a $30.00 non-refundable application fee. Former students are not required to submit this fee unless they are changing from an undergraduate status to a graduate status or vice versa. This fee is payable once at the graduate level and once at the undergraduate level provided payment is followed by enrollment.

General Information

Achievement Tests (ACT/SAT)

The results of the American College Test (ACT) or the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) must be requested directly from the testing company. They are used for admission and academic advising, for helping to select students with high academic potential who may be seeking scholarships and for placement into classes. All new undergraduate degree students, both freshmen and transfers, who have attempted or earned fewer than 12 college level credits must take the ACT or the SAT unless entering the College of Technology. Arrangements should be made to take the test in October or December of the year preceding entrance to the University. Complete information and registration forms are sent to all high school counselors well in advance of each test date. Information may also be obtained from the American College Testing Program, P.O. Box 168, Iowa City, Iowa 52240 or the College Board ATP, Box 592, Princeton, New Jersey 08540.

The examination must be completed no later than December of the year before entrance if the student wishes to be considered for scholarships. Students must have taken the test in order to be considered for admission. Students who have a handicap which would hamper them in taking the ACT or SAT test will need to make special arrangements to take the test.

If the high school graduation date is more than three years prior to the term in which the student intends to enroll, an ACT or SAT score is not required but is strongly encouraged.

Advanced Placement (AP) Program/ College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

College credit may be granted based on achievement in college-level high school courses, provided the University has received satisfactory scores from the College Entrance Examination Board on the Advanced Placement Examinations. Credit for specific examinations is granted subject to approval of the academic department which offers similar courses at the University. Therefore, it should not be assumed that credit granted by other colleges/universities will be allowed by UM. Specific questions regarding the Advanced Placement Program should be directed to Admissions & New Student Services. (See University policy following.)

The University of Montana-Missoula recognizes there are great individual differences in the academic preparation and background of students because of the variety of learning opportunities afforded by books, television, travel and work experience. In an effort to give credit for learning that takes place outside of the university classroom The University of Montana-Missoula grants credit for some of the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests. The purpose of this program is to allow students to take examinations to test their achievement and determine if their proficiency is equivalent to a college-level course in various academic fields. Credit for specific examinations is granted subject to approval of the appropriate academic department at the University. Therefore, it should not be assumed that credit granted by other colleges/universities will be allowed byUM. Details about CLEP can be obtained from the Clinical Psychology Center.

University policy for awarding credit on the basis of AP/CLEP is as follows:

  1. Students must be enrolled in or applying to the undergraduate degree status.
  2. Grades of Pass will be recorded for all credits granted.
  3. There is no limit to the number of credits that may be awarded.
  4. Credits may be used toward general education requirements. Appropriate designations will be made by Admissions & New Student Services.
  5. The applicability of credits granted toward major requirements will be determined by the student's academic department.

Credit for Military Service and Schooling

The University may grant elective credit for courses completed in military service schools and training provided such credit is baccalaureate level as recommended by the American Council on Education in "A Guide to Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services". Credit may be granted toward College of Technology programs if appropriate to the program requirements. Specific questions regarding credit for military service schools should be directed to Admissions & New Student Services. Refer to the credit maximums section of this catalog.

Credit for Training Programs

The University may grant elective credit for courses completed in training programs, provided such credit is baccalaureate level as recommended by the American Council on Education in "The National Guide to Educational Credits for Training Programs". Credit may be granted toward College of Technology programs if appropriate to the program requirements. Specific questions regarding credit for training programs should be directed to Admissions & New Student Services. Refer to the credit maximums sections of this catalog.

Foreign Language Placement

See the Academic Policies and Procedures section of this catalog for information on placement testing for foreign languages. Transfer credit is not granted for high school foreign languages.

General Education Requirement

Accepted transfer courses apply toward The University of Montana-Missoula General Education requirements as assigned by Admissions & New Student Services.

Transfer students who submit all credentials on time and who are admitted to an undergraduate degree program will receive an evaluation of their work showing the distribution of courses toward he general education requirements; this evaluation will be sent with the acceptance letter. It is important that a student monitor his/her program with the help of an academic advisor. Refer to the General Education Requirements section of this catalog for details.

Students who have earned a baccalaureate or higher degree are considered to have met the general education requirement.

A related studies requirement is included in College of Technology programs.

GED Admissions

A person who is not a graduate from an accredited high school may be eligible for admission by earning passing scores on the General Educational Development (GED) tests. Passing scores are a minimum score of 35 on each test and an average score of 45. These minimums are under review. For additional information and test center locations in Montana, contact the Office of Public Instruction, Helena, MT 59601.

Except in the College of Technology, students whose high school graduation would have been within three years of application will be admitted as "Conditional Freshmen". Conditional freshmen must complete a prescribed program of study during the first term of enrollment. Conditional freshmen who complete the prescribed courses without being placed on probation are to be removed from conditional status the subsequent term.

Health and Immunization Requirements

Health Record: Each student admitted to the University is required to submit a completed Medical History Record. This self-reported medical history is designed to help the Student Health Services provide the best possible care to students. The form should be completed as soon as possible and must be received prior to registration.

Immunization Requirements: Montana state law requires all post secondary students provide proof of immunization which must be validated (signed) by a health care provider or a copy of an official immunization record. The requirements are explained and need to be recorded on the Medical History Record.

Registration cannot be completed without this documentation. This form is sent with the admission acceptance letter.

High School Pilot Program

High school students can enroll in University classes under this program. High school students earn college credit, receive an early introduction to University opportunities and are able to develop skills and knowledge beyond the high school level. For more information, contact the Coordinator of the High School Pilot Program, Admissions & New Student Services Office, Lodge 222, The University of Montana-Missoula, Missoula, MT 59812 or phone (406)-243-4255. For opportunities in the College of Technology, phone (406) 542-6882. International Student Exchange Program (ISEP)

For information on the International Student Exchange Program, contact the International Programs Office, University Hall 022, The University of Montana-Missoula, Missoula, MT 59812 or phone (406) 243-2288.

National Student Exchange (NSE)

The University of Montana-Missoula participates in the National Student Exchange (NSE) program with 80 other state colleges and universities. This program offers students the opportunity to become better acquainted with different social and educational patterns in other areas of the Unied States. NSE encourages students to experience new life and learning styles, appreciate differing cultural perspectives, learn more about themselves and others and broaden their educational backgrounds through specialized courses or unique programs which may not be available on the home campus. The qualified sophomore or junior year student may travel to another state and participate in the exchange program for up to one academic year while continuing to pay in-state (resident) fees. For more information, contact the Coordinator of the National Student Exchange Program, Admissions & New Student Services, Lodge 101, The University of Montana-Missoula, Missoula, MT 59812 or phone (406) 243-6266.

Special Admission Committee

A special admission committee reviews applications from students who do not meet the regular admission standards.

Enrollment Limitation

The University of Montana-Missoula may deny or condition admission, readmission, or continuing enrollment of any individual who, in the judgment of the University, presents an unreasonable risk to the safety and welfare of the campus and persons thereon. In making such judgment, the University may, among other things, take into account the individual's history and experience relative to (a) violence and destructive tendencies, (b) behavior on other college campuses, and (c) any rehabilitative therapy the individual may have undergone.

Transfer Credentials

The kinds of credentials evaluated by Admissions & New Student Services for possible transfer credits fall into two categories, required and optional.

Required Credentials_UM requires that these credentials be submitted for evaluation at the time of application to associate of arts or bachelor programs. They consist of official transcripts from regionally accredited colleges and universities, from colleges and universities that are candidates for regional accreditation, and foreign colleges and universities. Coursework from other schools is not evaluated unless an individual exception is requested by a student and approved by a committee composed of the Academic Vice President, Admissions & New Student Services Director and Registrar.

Optional Credentials-Although students are not required to submit these records, Admissions & New Student Services or the College of Technology will evaluate them any time during enrollment in the undergraduate degree status. They consist of official records from nontraditional sources including the Advance Placement Program, the College Level Examination Program, military service records and records from certain training programs (see below). In the College of Technology, credentials from regionally accredited colleges and universities or colleges and universities that are candidates for regional accreditation are optional.

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