I. General Information
Montana State University Billings
Montana State University-Billings is a comprehensive, regional public University affiliated administratively with Montana State University in Bozeman. Montana State University Billings offers undergraduate programs in the arts and sciences, teacher education, business and economics, counseling, human services, rehabilitation and related services, health promotion, health administration and other professional areas. Graduate programs through the master’s level are offered in teacher education, special education, school counseling, psychology, public relations, rehabilitation counseling, sport/recreation/fitness management, early childhood education, reading and related areas.
Institutional History
Montana State University-Billings was established in 1927 as Eastern Montana State Normal School. At that time all the institutions of higher education were located in western Montana, so the University was designed to serve the needs of eastern Montana, especially with respect to preparing teachers for elementary schools. In 1966, the institution’s name was changed to Eastern Montana College and in 1994, with the merger of the Billings Vocational Technical Center, it became Montana State University-Billings. The University has grown with the city of Billings to become the major higher education center in south-central and eastern Montana.
Today the University is the third largest of the six four-year-plus units of the Montana University System. The University consists of six academic colleges: the College of Allied Health Professions, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the College of Education, the College of Professional Studies and Lifelong Learning, and the College of Technology.
Location and Campus
The Yellowstone Region and the City of Billings: America’s “last, best place” is undoubtedly an appropriate way to describe the region of the Yellowstone. Stretching from Yellowstone Park to where it joins the Missouri River, the Yellowstone River is the longest un-dammed river in the United States. Montana State University Billings shares the history, traditions, and quality of life that characterize the Yellowstone Region.
Montana State University-Billings is located in the expanding city of Billings in the valley of the Yellowstone between rugged mountains and sweeping plains, with the population base of approximately 100,000. The city, the largest in Montana, offers all the conveniences of modern urban life, but has retained its cultural and historical Western tradition of friendliness.
Billings, the “Magic City,” serves as a center for agriculture, finance, trade, medical care, education, tourism and energy-related industries for the people of eastern Montana and northern Wyoming. It is the largest health care and business hub in a four-state region. A downtown business district, well-planned shopping centers and malls, and a variety of smaller specialty stores provide ample opportunity for browsing and shopping.
MetraPark, Billings’ major indoor complex, provides a number of entertainment opportunities such as major concert productions, trade shows and sporting events.
Historical sites, fishing streams, mountain trails, and downhill ski runs are within easy driving distance from Billings. World-famous Yellowstone National Park is nearby.
Billings has a number of churches, radio and television stations, movie theaters, a symphony society and a community theater. Parks, tennis courts and golf courses offer recreational opportunities. The city is served by excellent transportation facilities. Among other assets are excellent hotels, motels, restaurants and delightful residential districts.
Accreditation
Montana State University-Billings is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). In addition, the University is accredited by the following specialized accrediting agencies: the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) for preparing elementary and secondary teachers and school counselors through the Master of Education degree and the Master of Science in Special Education degree, the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), and the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE).
Faculty
MSU Billings faculty has expertise in many areas and over 90 percent hold the highest degrees in their fields. They contribute a number of articles each year to academic and professional journals in their fields and participate with their peers nationwide at conferences and seminars. Each year they receive grants ranging from Fulbrights for study abroad to those for the investigation of human and scientific information. Because the faculty is involved in research, students may also become involved in research, including the presentation of findings at conferences and the publication of papers in journals. Also, because the faculty work with their colleagues around the country, they are able to expose MSU Billings students to the latest information in each degree.
Graduate Faculty
Members of the graduate faculty are appointed by the Chancellor after individual applications are recommended by the respective chairperson, dean and MSU Billings Graduate Committee. The graduate faculty, through a shared governance process, has the responsibility for reviewing and recommending graduate programs and changes thereto, and for assisting and maintaining the standards of the graduate program.
Campus Visits
McMullen 114, 657-2888 or
1-800-565-MSUB (ext. 2888)
To schedule an individualized campus visit, call (406) 657-2888 or 1-800-565-6782 ext.2888, email admissions@msubillings.edu, or write to the Office of New Student Services, Montana State University Billings, 1500 University Drive, Billings, MT 59101-0298.
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