Montana State University
Introduction
Montana State University, the state's land-grant institution, educates students, creates knowledge and art, and serves communities by integrating learning, discovery and engagement.
MSU Vision
Montana State University is as remarkable as its setting. Created as a land-grant institution, it is a welcoming, adventurous community of students, faculty and staff distinguished by its commitment to address the world's greatest challenges. The university energizes individuals to discover and pursue their aspirations. It inspires people to engage with the university to improve the human prospect through excellence in education, research, creativity and civic responsibility.
Academic Excellence
MSU prepares students to graduate equipped for careers and further education. MSU’s low student to faculty ratio means accessible professors and hands-on learning opportunities. Working alongside world-class faculty mentors, students discover new knowledge that helps to improve quality of life around the globe. This supportive and collaborative learning environment helps students succeed in competing for national and international scholarships and awards. In the past year alone, MSU students have received prestigious awards including:
- Goldwater scholarships (math, science & engineering)
- Rhodes Scholarship (to study at Oxford University)
- Marshall Scholarship (grad school in the United Kingdom)
- Udall Scholarship (to pursue careers in the environment)
- Newman Civic Fellow (public leadership)
Montana State University is in a class of its own. MSU is among the top 3% of colleges and universities for research expenditures and is also classified by the Carnegie Foundation as an institution with a high undergraduate profile. This means that undergraduates at MSU get research opportunities typically reserved for graduate students at other schools. Plus, MSU’s location at the crossroads between Yellowstone National Park and some of the biggest skiing in America offers students a classroom, lab and playground unlike any in the world.
Top Research University
MSU is recognized nationally for its prominence in research among leading public research universities. MSU is among the top 3 percent of colleges and universities in the nation for research expenditures. Because of its high undergraduate profile, MSU undergraduate students get opportunities to do research of national importance on a variety of topics, opportunities that would typically be reserved for graduate students at other universities. That’s one reason why MSU is a national leader in producing winners of the Goldwater Scholarship, the nation’s premier award for undergraduates in math and science fields.
Research expenditures at MSU typically exceed $100 million annually and top research departments include immunology, chemistry and biochemistry, transportation, physics, and land resources and environmental sciences; while much of the research funding from the National Institutes of Health, Departments of Energy, Defense and Agriculture, and private sources.
MSU is the largest research university in Montana and the largest research and development entity of any kind in the state, which translates into many opportunities for students to conduct meaningful hands-on research and creative projects as well as economic prosperity for the area. MSU research has led to significant discoveries that are changing the world. MSU holds more than 250 active technology licenses. In addition, 91 patents and 36 plant variety certificates have been issued for MSU discoveries with many more pending.
Engagement and outreach
Students, professors and staff at MSU work together with community partners to exchange and apply knowledge and resources that improve the world. MSU recently earned The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching's engagement classification. The designation recognizes commitment to teaching that encourages volunteer service in communities and spreading of knowledge that benefits the public. In addition, through courses, clubs and organized events, students participate in many local, national and international service-learning projects that enable them to apply their education while strengthening communities.
Community Engagement
Following a rigorous application and evaluation process, MSU was awarded the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching’s community engagement classification. This designation recognizes MSU’s commitment to teaching that encourages volunteer service in communities and spreading of knowledge that benefits the public. Service and outreach projects are embedded in MSU’s coursework, research and extracurricular activities to enhance learning and improve lives around the world.
Accreditation
MSU maintains and exceeds a variety of accreditation requirements that were designed to ensure high-quality educational standards. MSU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. During its most recent re-accreditation, MSU was commended for an "extremely high level of productivity and effectiveness." In addition to national accreditation, many of MSU’s colleges, departments and programs also maintain rigorous accreditation credentials through discipline-specific agencies.
English Language Requirements
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