Students are responsible for meeting all University graduation requirements and the requirements for their particular academic degree programs. Candidates for graduation may obtain their graduation forms from the Student Records Office approximately two semesters prior to their graduation date. All graduation applications, with page one and two completed and completed program sheets attached, are due in the Student Records Office no earlier than the semester in which they intend to graduate and no later than 60 days prior to the end of the semester in which the student intends to graduate or participate in Commencement. The University Catalog provides the authoritative source of information for program and degree requirements.
As part of its on-going efforts to serve students more effectively, the University may require all students who enter and graduate from the institution to participate in a testing program designed to measure the effectiveness of its programs. Students who fail to participate in mandatory testing may be denied certain records until they have complied with testing requirements.
CATALOG OF RECORD
The catalog which is in effect when a student originally matriculates at Northern governs the degree requirements for that student, provided that the student receives the degree within seven years of the original matriculation, or that the student is continuously enrolled from the date of original matriculation. If the student discontinues enrollment, and seven years elapses before a degree is received, degree requirements are determined by the catalog which is in effect at the time of the last re-entry to the university.
OBSOLETE COURSE CONTENT
Credit earned in courses in which the content is deemed obsolete by the program faculty which administers a student's major may be excluded from meeting that student's graduation requirement.
CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
Several academic departments award certification to students who complete specialized approved programs of study. These certifications are not academic degrees. Grades earned in specific courses will be entered on the student's permanent transcript and may be applied toward academic degrees.
Students completing certificate programs will receive a Certificate of Completion from the department but will not receive a diploma or participate in commencement ceremonies.
ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAMS
All associate degrees require the following, plus course requirements under specific programs:
1. Completion of the General Education requirements;
2. The last 18 credits must be earned at Northern. At least 10 credits applied toward major requirements must be earned within the Montana State University system. At least half of the major and minor program requirements must be taken at Northern..
3. A minimum of 64 credits with a cumulative GPA of 2.00;
4. A minimum of 30 credits in an approved program.
5. No more than 6 credits total of independent study courses (x99)may apply toward an associate degree.
BACHELOR DEGREE PROGRAMS
All bachelor degrees require the following, plus course requirements under specific programs:
1. Completion of the General Education requirements;
2. At least 30 of the last 36 credits must be earned at Northern. At least 20 credits applied toward major requirements must be earned within the Montana State University system. At least 10 credits applied toward minor requirements must be earned within the Montana State University system. At least 30 credits applied toward broadfield or extended major requirements must be earned within the Montana State University system. At least half of the major and minor program requirements must be taken at Northern.
3. A minimum of 128 credits with a cumulative GPA of 2.00 and a GPA in both the major and the minor of at least 2.25. Some programs may include additional grade requirements. If so, they will be noted in the recommended sequences for individual programs;
4. At least 40 of the total credits required for graduation must be from 300 or 400 level courses;
5. No more than 9 credits total of independent study courses (x99) may apply toward a degree.
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
General education forms a significant part of every degree program. The general education core develops areas of appreciation not necessarily provided for in the specialized areas of the major, and provides a sense of the interrelationship between the various disciplines. Above all, the general education program makes available to the student the tools and awareness necessary for lifelong learning and for active, literate participation in today's technological society. To assist in meeting this philosophy the general education requirements are listed as follows in four general areas. Students must meet the program requirements as specified for either a baccalaureate or an associate degree.
The fundamental skills and distribution requirements set out in sections I and II below are waived for students who already have an associate or bachelor's degree from another institution and have come to Montana State University-Northern to work on another degree. To qualify for the waiver, students must meet the following conditions:
Their previous degree must be from an accredited institution.
Their previous degree must be an associate degree of arts or sciences; or a bachelor's degree of arts or sciences.
Their previous degree was an associate degree, and they are working on another associate degree at Montana State University-Northern; or their previous degree was a Bachelor's degree, and they are working on another bachelor's degree at Montana State University-Northern.
Students seeking another bachelor's degree at Montana State University-Northern will still be expected to complete the integrative component and the capstone component described in sections III and IV below.
This waiver does not constitute a waiver of any other graduation requirements.
I. FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS
Students may meet basic competency required for graduation by passing approved standard examinations such as Advance Placement, CLEP, by Montana State University-Northern placement examination, or by completing the following coursework. Basic Skills requirements cannot be used to satisfy the Distribution Requirements.
| BACCALAUREATE DEGREE (15-16 crs.) | ASSOCIATE DEGREE (12-13 crs.) |
| A. Writing ENGL 111 and 112 | A. ENGL 111 |
| B. Speech SPCH 141 | B. SPCH 141 |
| C. MATH 112 or 110 | C. MATH 112 or 110 |
| (OR higher level math course*) | (OR higher level math course) |
| D. Computing CIS 110 | D. CIS 110 |
*MATH 120 can be used to meet fundamental skills requirements for Elementary Education majors only.
II. DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS
(can not include courses used for Fundamental Skills, listed above)
| BACCALAUREATE DEGREE (24 credits) | ASSOCIATE DEGREE (6 credits) |
| Students in Baccalaureate degree programs | Students in Associate degree must complete |
| must complete a minimum of programs 6 credits | a minimum of 3 credits in at least two of the |
| in each of the four distribution areas . Courses | four distribution areas for a total of 6 distribution |
| required in the student's major and minor | credits. Courses required in the student's major |
| programs may also be counted to meet | programs may also be counted to meet distribution |
| distribution requirements. | requirements. |
Distribution Groups for Distribution Groups for
| Baccalaureate Degree Programs | Associate Degree Programs |
| A. Humanities - 6 credits | A. Humanities - 3 credits |
| B. Social Sciences - 6 credits | B. Social Sciences - 3 credits |
| C. Mathematics/Sciences - 6 credits | C. Mathematics/Science - 3 credits |
| D. Technology/Applied Arts - 6 credits | D. Technology/Applied Arts - 3 credits |
DISTRIBUTION AREAS:
A: HUMANITIES - Art (ART), Drama (DRMA), English (ENGL), French (FREN), German (GER), Humanities (HUM), Music (MUS), Native American Studies (NAS), Philosophy (PHIL), Speech (SPCH)
B: SOCIAL SCIENCES - Economics (ECON), Geography (GEOG), History (HIST), Political Science (POL), Psychology (PSYC), Sociology (SOC), Social Science (SOSC)
C: MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE - Biology (BIOL), Chemistry (CHEM), Computer Information Systems (CIS), Earth Science (ESCI), Mathematics (MATH), Natural Science (NSCI), Physical Sciences (PHYS), Technical Science (TSCI) For bachelor degrees, at least one course offered to fill this group must be a lab science.
D. TECHNOLOGY AND APPLIED ARTS - Agriculture (AG), Agricultural Mechanics (AGMT), Automotive (AUTO), Automotive Body (BODY), Automotive/Diesel (ATDI), Business Education (BUED), Business (BUS), Civil Engineering Technology (CET), Diesel (DIES), Drafting (DRFT), Electronics Engineering Technology (EET), Health and Physical Education (HPE), Health and Physical Education Activities (HPEA), Manufacturing Technology (MFGT), Metals Technology (METL), Nursing (NURS).
The following courses meet the General Education Requirements for Teacher Education. Students should check with their advisor for specific details.
Area A:
ART 100 Introduction to Art
ART 150 Two-Dimensional Design I
ART 361 Art History of Western Civilization I
ART 362 Art History of Western Civilization II
DRMA 109 Drama Participation
DRMA 123 Introduction to Theatre
DRMA 220 Acting
DRMA 309 Drama for Children
ENGL 114 Introduction to Literature
ENGL 335 Native American Literature
ENGL 349 Montana Literature
FREN 105 Elementary French
MUS 101 Introduction to Music History
MUS 304 Great Composers I
MUS 305 Great Composers II
NAS 220 Introduction to Ethnic Indian Studies
NAS 310 Native Cultures of North America
PHIL 200 Introduction to Philosophy
PHIL 210 Ethics
SPCH 311 Oral Interpretation
Area B:
ECON 242 Macroeconomic Principles
ECON 301 Intermediate Microeconomics
ECON 346 Business & Economic History of the United States
ECON 440 International Trade and Finance
GEOG 119 World Regional Geography
HIST 131 American History I
HIST 132 American History II
HIST 141 History of Civilization I
HIST 142 History of Civilization II
HIST 216 Montana History
HIST 317 Twentieth Century Europe
HIST 354 History of Technology and Transportation
HIST 364 History of American Indians
POL 344 International Relations
PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology
PSYC 205 Human Growth and Development
PSYC 210 Social Psychology
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology
SOC 102 Social Problems
SOC 255 Sociology of the Family
SOC 315 Race, Gender and Ethnic Relations
Area D:
HPE 234 First Aid and CPR
HPE 235 Principles of Health Education & Substance Abuse
HPE 386 Drug and Alcohol Education
The following courses may NOT be used to fulfill distribution requirements:
1. Courses required to fulfill Basic Skills requirements;
2. Cooperative Education courses (courses numbered 279 or 479)
3. Courses with EDUC, EDPY, GUID, or VOED prefixes.
III. INTEGRATIVE COMPONENT
BACCALAUREATE DEGREE ASSOCIATE DEGREE
GEN 301 Technology and Society: (Integrative component not required)
To provide an opportunity for students
to study ethical dimensions of the individual
in the modern world. This course will
integrate the technical and liberal arts
mission of the University.
IV. CAPSTONE COMPONENT
BACCALAUREATE DEGREE ASSOCIATE DEGREE
Advanced Program Project as identified in (Capstone component not required)
each program area.
The following Montana State University-Northern courses will satisfy the Montana University System Core. Consequently, in selecting general education coursework a student may wish to use the following guide:
Natural Sciences (maximum of 6 semester credits)
Chemistry 111, General Chemistry (3)
Chemistry 121, General Inorganic Chemistry I (3)
Chemistry 123, General Inorganic Chemistry I Lab 1
Biology 140, Cell Biology (4)
Earth Science 115, Foundations of Earth Science (4)
Physics 241, General Physics I (4)
Physics 242, General Physics II (4)
Physics 243, General Physics III (4)
Social Sciences (maximum of 6 semester credits)
Psychology 101, Introduction to Psychology (3)
Sociology 101, Introduction to Sociology (3)
Mathematics (maximum of 3 semester credits)
Mathematics 112, College Algebra (3*)
and
Mathematics 125, Trigonometry (2)
OR
Mathematics 130, Precalculus (5*)
Mathematics 110, Mathematics for Liberal Arts (4*)
Mathematics 116, Applied Statistics (3)
Mathematics 120, Mathematics for Elementary Teachers (3*)
Mathematics 121, Mathematics for Elementary Teachers (3*)
Mathematics 137, Calculus for Technology I (3*)
Mathematics 220, Calculus & Analytic Geometry (5*)
Mathematics 221, Calculus & Analytic Geometry (5*)
English Composition (maximum of 3 semester credits)
English 111, Written Communication I (3)
Humanities and Fine Arts: Humanities (max. of 3 semester credits)
English 110, Introduction to Literature (3)
English 214, Introduction to World Literature (3)
Humanities 201, Introduction to the Humanities (3)
French 105, Elementary French (4)
Philosophy 200, Introduction to Philosophy (3)
Philosophy 210, Ethics (3)
Humanities and Fine Arts: Fine arts (max. of 3 semester credits)
Art 100, Introduction to Art (3)
Art 101, Studio Foundation (3)
Art 150, Two-Dimensional Design (3)
Drama 123, Introduction to Theater (3)
Drama 220, Acting (3)
English 210, Creative Writing (3)
Music 101, Introduction to Music History (3)
History (maximum of 3 semester credits)
History 131, American History I (3)
History 132, American History II (3)
History 141, History of Civilization I (3)
History 142, History of Civilization II (3)
*Course carries a college-level pre-requisite, and/or requires permission of the instructor.
The course requirements for each degree program offered by Montana State University-Northern are set out in this catalog in recommended chronological sequence. Students who register for the specified courses as recommended will meet the course requirement for associate degrees within two years, and baccalaureate degrees within four years.
Both the student and the University must meet certain obligations in order to assure completion of degree programs within the specified time frame. The student must meet the prerequisites for all required courses and register for these courses within the prescribed time frame. If the student is unable to register for a prescribed course within the prescribed time frame due to failure of the University to schedule the course at the specified time, or due to a scheduling conflict between required courses at the specified time, it is the student's responsibility to bring this problem to the attention of the Registrar or chairperson of the academic department which administers the student's major. It is the University'sresponsibility in these cases to create an accommodation that enables the student to meet the specified requirement at the specified time.
Any deviation of the student from the course requirements or sequences specified for his/her initially declared course of study will nullify the University's responsibility to ensure the student's graduation within the two- or four-year time frame. Failure of the student to notify the University of a course scheduling problem prior to the beginning of the course deprives the University of the opportunity to accommodate the student, and nullifies the University's responsibility under this assurance.
The University makes reasonable efforts to accommodate the reasonable scheduling needs of its students. However, it is unlikely that the University will be able to schedule classes for the personal convenience of students, and it is under no obligation to do so. Students who wish to graduate within the two- and four-year time frames contemplated by this assurance are expected to make arrangements to take the required classes when scheduled by the University according to this catalog.
Montana State University-Northern extends this time-to-degree assurance to transfer students within the Montana University System as follows: Students who are admitted to another unit of the system with the ultimate objective of transferring to Montana State University-Northern and receiving a degree from this unit may be jointly admitted to Northern when starting at the other unit. When the jointly admitted student receives an associate degree from the originating unit and transfers into a baccalaureate degree programat Northern, this institution will consider the basic skills and distribution area (general education) requirements complete, in view of the associate degree.
In addition, certain two-year associate degree programs within the Montana University System are fully articulated with corresponding four-year baccalaureate degree programs at Northern. Jointly admitted students who are in such programs at two-year degree-granting institutions will receive information and faculty advising from Northern concurrent with their enrollment at the originating institutions. Jointly admitted students who follow the program specified by the articulation agreement for their Northern program will receive a full two years of credit toward their graduation program at Northern. When they begin their study at Northern, they take advantage of the time-to-degree assurances set out above for students who begin their study at Northern, and they have the same responsibilities. Further information about joint admissions agreements is available from the Office of Admissions.
Students who discontinue study for one or more semesters and return to pursue a degree at a later time can re-enter a degree program under the same catalog providing the catalog is seven or less years old; however, the University is under no obligation to offer courses, programs or degrees which have been discontinued while students are absent from the institution. Absence during a summer semester does not constitute discontinuance of study under the terms of this policy.