Last Updated: Sep 16, 2024 at 9:45pm
University of Montana Western
710 S Atlantic St
Dillon, MT 59725
United States
Institution Overview
Experience One engages students and faculty in actively exploring the knowledge, purposes, and practices in every field of study.Experiential learning opportunities make up the heart of Experience One, or X1 for short.
Here's how it works. You take a single course at a time, three hours each day for 18 days before moving on to the next. Taking four courses or ""blocks"" during the semester, you'll earn the same amount of credit as under traditional multiple class systems.
The bottom-line is you truly experience your education through concentrated, active learning. That means you'll have an advantage as you enter the workforce or continue on with graduate studies because your portfolio will already contain real-world educational experiences and projects. These projects often help the community at the same time by providing key services and contributing to ongoing research studies.
Basic Stats
Type: In-State College / University
Enrollment: 1295
Student-Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Affiliations:
Montana University System
Montana University System
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Official school colors:
Red, Black, White
Red, Black, White
Costs
In-State Tuition By Credit: $210
Out-Of-State Cost By Credit: $768
In-State Tuition Cost Per Year: $5040
Out-Of-State Cost Per Year: $18421
Books & Supplies Per Year: $1200
Room & Board Per Year: $10046
Application Fee: $30
Ask us about our featured departments
Mathematics
Montana Western Mathematic students have gone on to conduct research at NASA, formulate policy for the National Academy of Sciences, and become award-winning educators. Our students have utilized mathematics to model the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak, predict Whirling Disease outbreaks in Montana grayling populations, understand the population dynamics of sockeye salmon in Alaska, model the recessions of glaciers in Glacier National Park and determine how factors interact to produce colony collapse disorder in honeybees.
Fine Arts
Fine Arts students have pursued careers as practicing studio artists and employees of art galleries, museums, and community arts centers. They are also prepared to continue their education in graduate study in the visual arts. Montana Western is one of the only four-year universities in the country to offer a degree with a scientific glass specialization.
Health & Human Performance
Our students are prepared to pursue graduate studies or employment in personal/corporate fitness, wellness programming, public health, exercise science, and exercise prescription. We have a 100% placement rate of employment for Physical Education and Health graduates and 100% placement in Physical Therapy programs at their schools of choice.
Equine Studies
The Natural Horsemanship program has one of the highest retention rates at the University of Montana Western. UMW is the only university in the country that provides a Bachelor's degree in Natural Horsemanship. Montana Western students in the Equine Studies Department have gone on to complete international internships in France, Germany, and Australia.
Environmental Science
Within the Environmental Science Department, over 90% of our graduates have jobs in their field within two years of graduation. With Southwest Montana as our classroom and students contributing to field-based projects, our program is recognized as one of the nation's top-ranked environmental science programs.
History, Philosophy, & Social Sciences
Montana Western psychology students have pursued degrees in counseling, social work, art therapy, occupational therapy, law school, and MBA and PhD programs. Montana Western history students can engage in their own research and present at the UMW Research Symposium and regional conferences.
English
Montana Western English majors graduate prepared for careers in editing, journalism, public relations, communications, and other related fields. A major in English positions students to succeed in graduate school in journalism, creative writing, English, education, and law.
Business and Technology
Our department is now offering a Bachelor's degree in Farm and Ranch Management an partners with Speridian Technologies, a global IT solutions and consulting company, to offer project management classes and internship opportunities. Our students have recently completed internships within the following industries: agriculture, equine, restaurant, hospitality, retail, landscaping, sport and leisure, real estate, automobile, construction and technology.
Education
The Education program at Montana Western is the oldest in the state. Montana Western has been ranked the Best College for Education in Montana by niche.com.
Biology
Our students receive the necessary courses to be accepted into medical school, veterinary school, and other biomedical career paths. Our Ecology program is aligned with the national standards of certification through the American Fisheries Society and the Wildlife Society. Faculty utilize our undergraduate students to assist with active research projects within the department.
Social Media Highlights
UMW Natural Horsemanship Team Wins Collegiate Colt Starting ChallengeUMW Students Present Research at Geological Society of America Meeting
Community, Alumni and Friends Invited to Grand Opening of New Bulldog Stadium
UMW Receives $500,000 Donation from AgWest Farm Credit to Launch Farm & Ranch Management Degree
University of Montana Western Earns Top Rankings by Niche.com
Career Pathways offered by institution
• Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources• Arts, A/V Technology and Communication
• Business Management
• Education
• Finance
• Health Professions
• Human Services
• Marketing
• STEM
• Other Specialized Programs
Academic Programs
BACHELOR OF SCIENCEBIOLOGY
Integrative Biology
Molecular Biology
Pre-professional Medical and Veterinary Science
ECOLOGY
Fish and Wildlife Ecology
Integrative Ecology
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Equine Management
Farm & Ranch Operations (minor)
Health & Fitness Management
Small Business Management
Outdoor Industry Management (minor)
Statistics & Data Analysis
TEACHING AND LEARNING IN EARLY CHILDHOOD
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION Pre-K – 3rd Grade
ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
Art K-12
Biology
Business & Computer Applications
Coaching
Computer Science K-12
Drama K-12
Early Childhood Education
Earth Science
Earth Science Middle School
English
Instructional Technology
Life Science Middle School
Mathematics Middle School
Physical Science Middle School
Social Studies Middle School
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Geology
Sustainable Natural Resource Management
Wetlands Management
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Environmental Naturalist
Natural Resource Stewardship
FARM & RANCH MANAGEMENT
NATURAL RESOURCE SCIENCE
KINESIOLOGY
Coaching
MATHEMATICS
Statistics & Data Analysis
NATURAL HORSEMANSHIP
Management
Psychology
Science
Instruction
SECONDARY EDUCATION
Art Education K-12
Biology*
Business & Computer Applications Education
Earth Science*
English*
General Science Broadfield*
Modern History*
Teacher Librarian
Literacy K-12
Mathematics*
Music K-12
Physical Education & Health K-12
Special Education K-12
*Denotes double major
BACHELOR OF ARTS
MODERN HISTORY
Constitutional Studies
Sociology
Psychology
Systems of Thought
PSYCHOLOGY
Constitutional Studies
Modern History
Sociology
Systems of Thought
SOCIOLOGY
Constitutional Studies
Modern History
Psychology
Systems of Thought
GLASS
VISUAL ARTS
Illustration
Pre-Art Therapy
Studio Art
ENGLISH
Professional Writing
ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE
ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE
ASSOCIATE OF ARTS
Dates to Remember
- December 1 – FAFSA opens to all students
- February 1 – FAFSA Priority Deadline
- February 15 – UMW Scholarship Deadline
- March 21 - Experience Montana Western Day (date subject to change)
- November 1 – UMW Scholarship application opens
- November 15 – Experience Montana Western Day (date subject to change)
- October 1 – FAFSA phased rollout begins
Deadlines
Priority Application Deadline: 1-Jul
Priority Financial Aid Deadline: 1-Feb
Online Resource Links
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Ask us...
How does the average student excel at the University of Montana Western?
Institution Contacts
Sydnee Kingsbury - Admissions Office Manager
406-683-7015
Chrissy Stokes - Director of Admissions
(406) 683-7453
Jordyn McKay - Admissions Representative
406-683-7450
Student Life & Community
- Club sports have included Archery, Clay Target, E-Sports, Equestrian, Log Dawgs (lumberjack), Rugby, Ski and Snowboard, and Wrestling.
- Montana Western athletes compete in NAIA and NIRA. Sports include Football, Volleyball, Rodeo, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Men’s and Women’s Track, and Cheer Squad.
- Montana Western has numerous student clubs/organizations and intramural athletics.
- Montana Western offers an incentive program called Paw Prints for Success. Paw Prints are earned by engaging in campus activities, both academic and extra-curricular. At the end of each semester, students can attend a live auction and use their Paw Prints to win fantastic prizes!
- Montana Western’s dining services offer a high-quality selection of foods to satisfy the dietary needs of all students and includes a farm-to-college program.
Campus Visit
https://apply.umwestern.edu/portal/campus-visitsWith the above link, students are able to schedule an on-campus visit, virtual visit, or a group visit to Montana Western.
Campus tours are offered on most weekdays at 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM. You can also request to visit with a professor to learn more about our programs. All professor meetings will be scheduled for 11:30 AM, regardless of the tour time.
If you are unable to make the trip to campus, we can schedule a virtual visit with a member of our Admissions team.
We do not have set times for our group tours. Simply submit the quick form and we will do our best to accommodations.
Highlights
- #1 | Best Academics in Montana by Niche.com
- #1 | Best College for Education in Montana by Niche.com
- 94% rate of completion for first-time freshmen
- 99% acceptance rate for completed applications
- Montana Western has the most affordable tuition in the state.
- Montana Western offers unique, hands-on programs. For example, students can earn degrees in Natural Horsemanship and Glass, or minor in Farm and Ranch Operations or Outdoor Industry Business Management.
- Only public university to offer block scheduling. Learn more at: https://w.umwestern.edu/section/experience-one/.
Important Things To Know
- Average class size at Montana Western is 15 and classes are capped at 25.
- Experience One, Montana Western’s block scheduling, is very unique in today’s postsecondary educational system. It’s demanding, but very successful. Students graduate with real experience to use for jobs or graduate school.
- Montana students can apply to Montana Western for free at any time through our online application at https://apply.umwestern.edu/apply/. Students will also need to submit a current high school transcript and immunization records, with two doses of MMR, to complete their application file.
- Students may also choose to attend one of our Campus Preview Days held in March.
- Students may schedule a campus tour on most weekdays at 9 AM or 1PM. To schedule a campus visit, call (877) 683-7331 or visit https://apply.umwestern.edu/portal/campus-visits.
- We offer 5 full-tuition scholarships to Montana students. The Chancellor’s Leadership Scholar’s Award requires a 3.6 cumulative GPA and a 26 ACT or 1260 SAT.
Last Updated: Sep 16, 2024 at 9:45pm