Awards

Recognition of Academic Excellence
Montana State University Billings formally recognizes academic excellence among its graduate students in the following ways:

Chancellor’s Outstanding Graduate Research Award
The Graduate Student Association annually recognizes outstanding research (generally a thesis or professional paper) or creative products completed for credit by graduate students.  The graduate faculty and other members of the Montana State University-Billings campus are invited to nominate candidates for the award by submitting a letter to the Director of Graduate Studies by February 15th.  A Screening Committee of faculty members and community professionals is appointed to review the nominated work(s).  The following criteria will be used as a basis for recommending an award:

1. Originality of the product.
2. Clarity with which the project was planned, executed, and completed.
3. Internal consistency and rigor of project.
4. The timeliness or significance of the project to the discipline.

The Screening Committee may recommend that no award, one award, or more than one award be granted in a given year.  The award will consist of a letter and certificate of achievement, a cash award by the Graduate Student Association (upon their annual approval) and/or other sponsoring entity, and a plaque listing the award winner(s) displayed in the College of Education.  Consult with the Director of Graduate Studies for further information concerning this award.

Montana Teacher of the Year Tuition Waiver Award

1. The annual winner of the Montana Teacher of the Year Award qualifies for a tuition waiver for graduate study at Montana State University-Billings as follows:
   1. The tuition waiver qualifies the recipient for a maximum of 24 credits to be applied toward a graduate degree in education.
   2. The tuition waiver is available to the recipient for a maximum time of three consecutive years, including summer enrollments.
   3. The tuition waiver may be used for non-degree graduate courses, but no more than nine graduate credit hours earned in non-degree status may be applied toward a graduate degree.
   4. Recipients holding a master’s degree may apply the 24 graduate credits toward a second master’s degree or non-degree graduate course.
   5. All requirements for admission to a graduate program must be met by the applicant.
2. Recipients of the Montana Teacher of the Year Award should contact the Deputy Commissioner for Academic and Student Affairs of the Montana University System for information about the tuition waiver award and processing of the tuition waiver.
3. All other fees and expenses are the responsibility of the Montana Teacher of the Year Award winner.
4. It is expected that while in residence, the Montana Teacher of the Year recipient will serve the program in some fashion at the request of the Department (e.g., speak in undergraduate education classes, work with faculty members in course revision or preparation).

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