What is Distance Learning?
We define distance learning as the
successful completion of coursework at a site distant from the
University campus where the course originates. At UM, we’ve
set up several remote classrooms across the State where students
can work on their MBA degree with two-way Interactive television
linking the sites with Missoula. In addition, we offer some courses
on the Internet supported by “discussion forums” in
cyberspace. It’s truly an exciting time to be learning at
a distance.
What kinds of time commitments
are required of students in the program?
Student with undergraduate degrees
in fields other than business should count on three years to complete
the program; others can complete all requirements in two years.
These timeframes are very flexible,
as students can complete part of the curriculum (500-level) on
the Internet without a requirement to attend regularly scheduled
classes. Our professional MBA program courses (600-level) are
offered two evenings each week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) over interactive
television. These courses are repeated every second year at each
of our off-campus locations.
What is the period of time within which
I must complete all professional program requirements (i.e., 600-level
courses)?
Five years. All 600-level courses
offered for the degree must have been completed within this period
of time going back from the date of your actual graduation from
the program. If you have courses from other schools that can be
accepted as transfer credits, they also must have been completed
within five years of graduation.
Students may petition to have one
or two courses that were completed more than five years earlier
count toward graduation only by passing an examination to demonstrate
current competency in the subject area.
How is the Off-Campus MBA Program accredited,
and is this different from the full-time MBA at The University
of Montana?
AACSB International – The
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accredits
the School of Business Administration at The University of Montana.
This accreditation covers the school’s MBA degree, whether
offered on campus in a full-time program or off campus to students
enrolled in the evenings. The degree programs are identical in
all respects.
Am I better suited to the program if I have
some work experience?
Students that have gone before you
would probably tell you that they learned more in the program
because of their work experience. They were able to relate what
they were learning to their work, and they were able to learn
from the collective experience of their classmates.
What kind of classmates can I expect in
the program?
For the most part, they will be
early to mid-career professionals with undergraduate degrees in
fields other than business. Most will be employed full time. Their
reasons for pursuing an MBA will be varied, but for the most part
they will be focused on applying what they are learning to their
jobs and their career paths.
What are the requirements for owning or
having access to a personal computer when enrolling in the program?
You must own or have access to a
recent generation microcomputer running Windows 2000 equipped
with a CD-ROM drive, high-speed modem and Microsoft Internet Explorer
5.0 at a minimum. In addition, you must have an e-mail
address since correspondence with faculty, administrators and
other students will be electronic.
What kind of business applications
software is required of students enrolled in the program?
The required business applications
software is Microsoft Office 2000 or Office XP with Word, Excel
and PowerPoint. You must possess a working knowledge of word-processing,
spreadsheet and presentation skills prior to enrolling in the
program. As mentioned above, the required Web browser is Microsoft
Internet Explorer 5.0 at the present time.
Will I be invited to campus for graduation
and walk across the stage with on-campus students when completing
the program?
Definitely, we would not want it
any other way. In fact, we have a special recognition ceremony
for our off-campus students the evening before commencement every
spring. The Off-Campus Program Office will assist you with arrangements
for graduation well in advance.
What will my diploma have on it when I graduate?
Your MBA degree will be from The
University of Montana without distinction whether it was earned
in the full-time MBA program or in the Off-Campus program. The
degree is the same. .
If one of my principle reasons for pursuing
an MBA is to obtain a new job in the future, is there any career
service support from the University for my job search?
Yes. You are encouraged to use the
career placement services available to full-time students on campus.
Several off-campus students that have gone before you have interviewed
on campus during (or after) their final semester in the program.
Curriculum
& Instruction
How many semester credit hours are required
to complete the Off-campus MBA degree at The University of Montana?
The professional MBA curriculum
at UM is a 32-credit hour program. This consists of 19 credits
of required courses and 13 credits of electives, 4 credits of
which are interpersonal or technology perspective electives.
Are there any prerequisite courses required
for admission to the professional program?
Yes. There are 15 semester credits
of foundation courses required of students that have not had any
previous coursework in Business Administration. These courses
are available over the Internet to students applying for admission
to the professional program.
Does the curriculum differ in any way from
the full-time MBA program offered by The University of Montana
in Missoula?
No. The courses are the same in
both programs. In addition, the same instructor who is assigned
to teach the daytime section generally will teach the evening
section of each required course.
There also are short, weekend elective
courses held on campus or in Helena at UM’s College of Technology
each year that full-time students attend alongside off-campus
students. Finally, some 600-level elective courses may be offered
via the Internet for all of our MBA students, whether enrolled
in the full-time or the off-campus program.
How much of the professional curriculum
(600-level) deals specifically with the functional areas of business
(i.e., accounting, finance, marketing, operations management,
etc.)?
The new 32-hour MBA at UM balances
instruction in the functional areas of business with cross-functional
integration of the curriculum. Only six 2-cr. courses, each taught
over 10-week mini-semesters, deal specifically with the various
functional areas of business.
What training will I receive with respect
to integration of the functional areas of business if I complete
your curriculum?
One 2-cr. course (IS 574), and two
companion 1-cr. courses (MBA 694 & 603), plus 2 credits each in two
perspective areas of study (i.e., interpersonal and technology)
are designed to be cross-functional or integrated. In addition,
MBA 665 is a capstone course on management strategy that
integrates the functional areas of business.
How much freedom is there in selecting electives
in the program?
Nearly half of the professional
program consists of electives. Four credits must be selected within
two perspectives (2 credits each) and 9 credits may be selected
from among a variety of other courses offered by the Business
School or by other professional schools at UM.
Are there any opportunities for independent
study in the program?
Yes, students occasionally can arrange
for independent study credit with an individual faculty member.
The course will be numbered MBA 696 and the course content usually
will be in an area not covered by regularly scheduled electives
(MBA 645, 655 or 694).
What is the policy on transfer
credits from another institution?
A maximum of nine (9) credits can
be transferred to UM from another graduate program upon recommendation
of the MBA Program Director at UM. The credits must be acceptable
to the School of Business Administration as part of the MBA degree
program.
Is there a thesis requirement in the program?
No, although students may elect
to do a thesis under the supervision of a three-member committee.
In addition, a faculty member must agree to serve as Chair of
the committee. Approximately 5% of those who enroll in the program
will elect this option. These credits are taken in lieu of some
of the unrestricted elective credits.
Does the program require
a comprehensive examination or professional paper upon completion
of coursework?
No. Students will complete MBA 602,
603
and MBA 665, which contain “integrated project assignments,”
as part of the curriculum. This eliminates the requirement for
a separate comprehensive examination (see Degree
Requirements).
What are the backgrounds and experiences
of the faculty that teach in the program?
All faculty assigned to teach in
the MBA program at UM have a doctorate degree in their discipline
and are actively engaged in research and/or consulting activities.
Occasionally, the School of Business Administration will hire
Adjunct Faculty to teach MBA courses in areas where those individuals
can make particular contributions based on their research or professional
work experience.
Will I ever get to meet any of my instructors
other than on TV?
Yes. This is something unique about
UM. Faculty assigned to teach on TV are asked to travel to each
off-campus site at least once during their course in order to
get to know their students personally. In addition, you will get
to meet most of your faculty when you attend the “orientation”
class (MBA 601) that is scheduled just ahead of Fall Semester on campus. This is
a three-day experience where you network with other students enrolled
in the program.
How large are the classes
in which I will be enrolled?
Most classes will range in size
between 25 and 45 students with evening sections at three or four
cities simultaneously linked with an evening class in Missoula.
At any individual site (e.g., Billings) there may be as many as
10 to 15 students in a class.
How will I be assigned to a student team
if a class project requires teamwork?
Students generally self-select team
participants in courses for which team are required. Be prepared,
however, for instructors to assign teams comprised of students
from different cities, as this type of assignment replicates the
real world experience of team members working at different branches
of the same company.
I understand that graduate education
involves considerable outside research to support classroom assignments.
What access will I have to library resources?
Apart from not being physically
located on the UM campus, you will have the same access to the
Mansfield Library
in Missoula through the Internet as other students admitted to
the MBA program. Most of the full-text CD-ROM databases in the
library are accessible with your Internet browser as are various
materials placed on “electronic reserve” by some of
our faculty in support of their courses.
Foundation
Courses
What are Foundation Courses?
MBA degrees generally are recognized
as professional or advanced degrees in Business Administration.
As such, entering students must possess fundamental knowledge
and understanding of material in such introductory courses as
accounting, finance, marketing, etc.
For students without undergraduate
degrees in Business Administration, UM offers five foundation
courses as part of its graduate curriculum. These are available
on the Internet and may be completed by students at their convenience.
Following these courses, students are enrolled in MBA 602, the
only 3 cr. course in the professional program, and the first of
several to apply a cross-functional integration of curriculum
content.
How do I know if I have to take any Foundation
Courses?
Simply send in a copy of your undergraduate
college transcript (including multiple transcripts if you attended
more than one institution) for an evaluation by the MBA Program
office. Based on this evaluation, foundation program courses may
be waived when you apply for admission to the University.
I received my bachelor’s degree in
business several years ago. Will my coursework still satisfy the
MBA foundation requirements?
If your degree is from an AACSB
institution, it is likely that most of your undergraduate classes
will be accepted in lieu of the foundation program. The one exception
may be coursework in computer information systems, as your degree
from years ago will not have covered the material being taught
today.
How can I complete the Foundation Courses?
You have several options. You may
complete undergraduate courses at a four-year business school
if available where you live, or you may take graduate courses
from The University of Montana on the Internet.
Alternatively, if you have been
working in an area where you have developed competency (e.g.,
finance, marketing, etc.) you may take appropriate CLEP examinations
and test out of certain foundation courses.. This opportunity
can be discussed with the MBA Program Director after an
evaluation of your undergraduate transcript.
Schedule
When are the televised MBA classes scheduled
for delivery to off-campus sites?
On Tuesday and Thursday evenings between 6:00 PM
and 9:00 PM.
Where are the off-campus distance learning
sites located?
On college/university campuses in
the following six communities at the moment: Billings, Bozeman,
Butte, Great Falls, Helena and Kalispell. Other sites may be added
from time to time as feasible. In addition, students living in
the Missoula area can attend classes in the distance learning
classrooms of the Gallagher Business Building in the evenings.
What happens if I miss one of the TV classes
due to illness or business travel?
Each televised class is recorded
on videotape for use by students who find themselves in these
unavoidable circumstances. The tapes must be reserved in advance
by making a phone call to site coordinator at each location. In
cases of acute, last-minute illnesses that preclude students from
attending classes, contact the Off-Campus MBA Program Office.
In addition to regularly
scheduled TV classes, are there any other scheduled times when
classes are offered?
Yes. Several short 1 cr. weekend
classes are worked into the curriculum each year. Some are held
off-campus at UM’s College of Technology in Helena, but
most are held in Missoula on the UM campus. In addition, some
600-level elective courses may be offered from time to time via
the Internet.
How long do I have to finish a course?
Students are required to complete
each course within the semester in which they are registered.
Instructors, however, may set earlier deadlines in cases where
short courses are completed very early in the semester (e.g.,
courses scheduled in the first five weeks of Spring Semester). See Course
Schedule.
Will I ever have to travel to attend any
required courses?
Yes. Unless you are an evening student
attending classes in Missoula, you will have to commute to Missoula
for at least 3 credits of coursework on the UM campus sometime
during your Professional Program. Starting Fall Semester 2004,
this will include a 1 cr. Orientation course during your first
Fall Semester in the program.
The other 2 credits of this “mini-residency”
may be satisfied by completing weekend courses or by taking courses
offered during a single week in the summer or possibly during
the Winter Session between semesters in January.
How long will it take to earn my MBA from
The University of Montana through the Off-Campus Program?
You should be able to complete all
600-level professional program requirements within two years since
a sufficient number of courses will be available in the curriculum.
Students who are required to complete the 15-cr. foundation program
should count on one additional year.
Admission
to Program
How do I apply to the graduate school?
When you are ready to apply for
formal admission, you must collect all application materials and
submit them together to the Off-Campus MBA Program office at:
UM MBA Program, MSU-Billings Campus, Billings, MT 59101-0298.
Your application package must contain the items listed within
the Admissions page
of the MBA Degree section of this Website.
Will my work experience be considered in
my application?
Yes, to the extent that it represents
technical, professional or managerial experience that you feel
supports your application for admission to graduate study in business.
Part-time jobs during college would likely not count in this regard,
but full-time employment in industry or government following completion
of your undergraduate degree would.
When you submit your application
for admission to the Off-Campus MBA Program, you are required
to include a current resume and a summary of your work experience.
You should summarize your experience in a short narrative, describing
in particular any awards or recognitions you may have received
at work. The nature of your principal work responsibilities will
be important, particularly if you were ever put in charge of any
project at work or if you have ever supervised others. If appropriate,
you should describe how your work experience might have helped
prepare you for successful graduate study in business.
Do I have to take the GMAT and be admitted
to the graduate school at UM before I can take classes in the
program?
No. There are two situations under
which early admission can occur. Students who have completed all
foundation courses and have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
may be admitted to 600-level electives (645, 655 or 694) one semester
in advance of completing the GMAT. If they are starting in the
spring where MBA 605 or 650 is offered, they may take those as
well. The credits they earn in this single semester will apply
toward the 32-hour MBA degree requirement should they later be
accepted by the Graduate School.
In addition, students who are interested
in completing foundation program courses (500-level) may be admitted
as graduate non-degree students in order to complete up to nine
such credits before a formal application must be submitted for
graduate school. Enrollment in foundation courses beyond this
9-credit limit will require approval by the MBA Program Director.
I’ve already taken the GRE
(Graduate Record Exam). Can I use it instead of the GMAT?
Unfortunately, you cannot. As an
AACSB school, we only recognize the GMAT as acceptable with your
application to our MBA program.
I took the GMAT several years ago.
Is the score still valid?
We will accept scores within five
years of the date of your application. Scores more than five years
old are accepted only if you have completed substantial graduate
work at UM or have completed a graduate degree elsewhere.
What kind of GMAT score must I have to be
considered for the program?
Generally, we look for scores above
500 in combination with an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.
If your GMAT score falls below 500 and you have a low undergraduate
GPA, you may be required to retake the GMAT. In addition, we look
closely at your individual GMAT scores on the Quantitative and
the Verbal portions of the exam. We may require you to retake
the exam if either of these falls below the 25th percentile. Low
scores on the analytical writing exercise part of the GMAT (i.e.,
below 3.5) also will diminish your chances of being accepted into
the program.
How can I prepare for the GMAT?
Former applicants have advised us
that one of the more effective study guides to the GMAT is “The
Princeton Review: Cracking the GMAT CAT (computer adaptive test)"
by Geoff Martz. The CD ROM version of this study guide contains
3 tests that you can take to assess your level of preparedness
following review of the tutorials that are available. We’ve
encountered more than one case where students have raised their
GMAT score by 100 points or more on their second sitting for the
exam after using this study guide.
What are the application deadlines for admission?
For Fall Semester enrollment, we
require applications by February 1 with a late-application
deadline of April 15. Registration for Fall Semester classes
starts in April some five months in advance of the semester start
date in late August. For Spring Semester enrollment, where course
registration starts in mid November, we require applications by
September 1 with a late deadline of November 1.
I’ve attended more than one undergraduate
institution in the past. Do I need all of my transcripts when
applying?
Yes, unless the school from which
you graduated accepted all your credits in transfer and shows
those credits on its transcript with letter grades included as
part of your cumulative GPA.
Who should I get to write my three letters
of evaluation regarding my academic potential?
Former college professors, if available.
Otherwise, feel free to request evaluation letters from business
associates and/or employers. If you have work experience, your
responsibilities and performance on the job should be described
in your evaluations to assist us in determining your ability to
succeed in the MBA Program, especially if your undergraduate grades
were not high.
What should I say in my letter of intent
when applying to the program?
This is one of the more important
aspects of your application. You should think very seriously about
the reasons for which you are returning to school to pursue your
MBA. The Graduate School at UM refers to this letter as a “Statement
of Goals” relative to graduate study. Writing your letter
of intent in this vein will better assist us in evaluating the
merits of your application.
Can I start the program in any term?
Yes. Students can apply to be admitted
to the program in either semester, but some Spring Semester courses
require Fall Semester prerequisites or consent of instructor.
The preferred enrollment cycle is to start the program in the
Fall Semester in which both MBA 600 and MBA 660 are being offered.
You can contact the Off-Campus MBA Program Office for scheduling
details.
If I am admitted to the MBA program, can
I change the admission date that I put on my application?
Yes. With approval of the MBA Program
Director, you may delay your actual admission date by one semester
without having to reapply.
If I am admitted to the off-campus MBA program,
can I latter apply for and be admitted to the full-time program
in Missoula in order to accelerate my studies?
Not necessarily. The full-time program
may be filled to capacity at the time you apply. However, if you
submit your request by the prescribed deadlines for new admissions
to the full-time program, your request will be given preference
provided you are in good standing in the time.
Is there a requirement for continuous registration
in the program?
Very much so; and this is one of
the more misunderstood policies of the Graduate School. Graduate
students are required to register for a minimum of 1 credit in
every academic term (excluding summers). This policy is in force
from the time students are admitted to Graduate School until completion
of a degree program. Students may take a leave-of-absence only
once during their period of enrollment for a specified length
of time by completing a Leave of Absence Form approved by the
Graduate School. They may re-enroll at the end of their leave
to complete all remaining degree requirements.
Student
Services
How do I register for classes?
Registration for all classes occurs
during prescribed time periods and is accomplished on line via
the Internet. See Registration
Procedures for additional details.
Can I register whenever I want for a course?
No. Registration must be completed
by preset deadlines, and fees must be paid in advance of classes
starting in order to avoid having classes cancelled. There is
a period of late registration approximately three weeks in advance
of classes for those qualifying to be admitted as graduate non-degree
students after application deadlines.
How do I order books for my courses?
The Off-Campus MBA Office in Billings
will mail a list of textbooks required for courses in upcoming
semesters approximately two months in advance. Students can order
their textbooks from the UM bookstore on campus via the Internet
or from on-line booksellers such as Amazon.com.
How can I contact my professors or interact
with my classmates?
Most of this communication will
be electronic, either by e-mail or through an electronic bulletin
board being implemented within the business school.
In addition, the University has
toll free phone numbers for you to contact both the Off-Campus
Program Office in Billings (800) 823-2416 and the Gallagher Business
Building in Missoula (800) 252-3581 if you want to visit with
faculty or staff personally.
Who do I contact for general assistance?
For answers to most of your questions,
feel free to contact the Off-Campus MBA Program Office in Billings
at UM MBA Program, MSU-Billings Campus, Billings, Montana 59101;
Phone: (800) 823-2416; e-mail: mbadll@wtp.net.
Your questions can be more quickly answered if you will submit
the additional information requested on the Contact
Us part of this Website.
Tuition
& Financial Aid
What does tuition cost for the program?
Tuition at present consists of a
“mediated learning fee” for distance delivery of $131
per credit hour in addition to regular resident tuition for graduate
students at UM. Combined, this was approximately $300 per credit
in 2003/2004.
Non-resident tuition is approximately
$545 per credit. New residents must have lived in Montana for
at least one year in order to qualify for Resident Tuition status.
Such individuals can accrue time toward Resident status while
enrolled at UM provided they take fewer than six credits per term.
In addition, new residents that
have moved to Montana for reasons of employment (including spouses
of employed persons) can qualify for Resident Tuition Status by
completing an Employer Affidavit Form, which is available from
the Off-Campus MBA Program office by e-mail request to: mbadll@wtp.net.
My company is reimbursing me for my tuition
at the end of each term. Can I defer payment?
No; tuition is due before courses
start each semester. If not paid on the due date, a late payment
penalty may apply.
Can I pay my tuition in installments?
Yes, there is provision for students
to pay tuition through an installment payment plan which delays
the due date for part of the tuition until the middle of the semester.
Can I qualify for financial aid while I
am enrolled in the off-campus program?
Yes. Two forms of financial aid
are available; one for students enrolled in at least six credits
per semester and another for students enrolled in as few as 3
credits. See the section of this Website on Tuition
and Financial Aid.
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