The graduate program “Policy and Procedure Manual” is subject to change. Please check with your advisor regarding the most current policy.
The graduate programs provide sound academic preparation for individual graduate students, taking into consideration the student’s experience, interests, and previous education. The programs provide studies that focus on recognition and definition of problems, assessment and evaluation, interpretation, and application.
Students who hold Class II licensure, have three years teaching experience, and have successfully completed the Master degree will be recommended for a Class I Teaching License.
Students who complete the Master of Education, Counselor Education Option, but lack teacher licensure may be eligible for the Class 6 Specialist Certificate.
Classification of Graduate Students
All students not matriculated for specific degrees are classified as graduate, non-degree students.
Graduate Admission
Students who apply for admission to Graduate Studies will be asked to state their objectives for degrees, credentials, or certification.
This statement should apply to any of the areas described below:
Master of Education in:
Counselor Education
Master of Science in Education in:
Learning Development
Other certification or education licensure objectives.
Advising
Upon admission to Graduate Studies and the declaration of Master’s degree objectives, the Graduate Office will assign the student an advisor who will assist in planning a program to meet the individual’s objectives.
Transfer, Extension, Special Topic, and Independent Study Credit
A maximum of 25% of the required credit hours to complete the degree can be transfer courses. Courses accepted for transfer credit must have been earned at the graduate level from an accredited institution and carry a letter grade of “B” or better. Courses which carry grades such as “P” or “S” are unacceptable for transfer credit.
A maximum of six (6) credits of special topics or independent study course work may be applied to the graduate degrees. Special topics courses include workshops and continuing education courses offered on other campuses within the limits of transferability.
Credit Earned Before Matriculation
Up to 10 semester-hours of course credits earned by Montana State University-Northern students, or the credits completed in the first full-time semester prior to degree matriculation, may be applied toward a graduate degree.
Credit Load
A student may carry up to 12 credits of graduate coursework in any semester. Full-time is considered 9 credits.
Standards of Scholarship
A student admitted to graduate study must maintain a grade average of “B” or better in all graduate work. Students receiving a grade of “C”, “D”, or “F” may repeat the course one time. The original grade shall remain on the transcript and be computed in the cumulative GPA. Students who receive an “incomplete” for a class must complete the course requirements by the end of the following semester or the grade will revert to an “F”. A student who fails to meet these standards will be placed on probation, suspended from graduate study, or dismissed from the University. Decisions on such matters will be made by the Graduate Council in consultation with the appropriate advisor. A student who is suspended from Graduate Study or dismissed from the University may, through the petition procedure, request a review of the case by the Provost.
Admission to Candidacy
Admission to Candidacy is granted when the student has obtained a minimum of nine (9), but fewer than fifteen (15) credits, in a degree program and has satisfied the requirements listed below.
The following qualifications and procedures are necessary for Admission to Candidacy:
Graduate Record Examination or Miller Analogy Test
Students seeking a Master degree must complete the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination with a specified minimum score, or the M.A.T. before gaining Admission to Candidacy in a program. Students should contact the Graduate Office for specific information.
Scholarship
At the time of application for Admission to Candidacy to a program, the student must demonstrate adequate proficiency in oral and written communication and have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or above for all graduate work taken at Montana State University- Northern to be applied toward the Master’s degree.
Removal of Deficiencies
Any deficiencies in the student’s undergraduate program (identified at the time of admission to graduate studies) must be removed before making application for Admission to Candidacy for a Master’s degree.
Program of Study
As part of the application for matriculation, each candidate will file a program of study for a specific degree. The program of study will meet all graduation requirements and will be kept in the Graduate Office. Subsequent deviations must be appropriately approved. Contact the Graduate Office for specific admission requirements for each program.
Comprehensive Examinations
Candidates for a Master’s degree shall complete a comprehensive evaluation during the last semester of enrollment in the graduate program. Such evaluations consists of both written and oral evaluation of competency. Candidates should notify their advisor and the Graduate Programs Office of their intention to complete the examinations and complete their application for graduation. The comprehensive examination assesses the student’s professional experience, knowledge, and understanding. This examination is developed, administered, and evaluated by members of the student’s Graduate Program Committee.
The candidate’s advisor generally serves as the chairperson of the Graduate Program Committee, which is appointed by the Graduate Council. The Graduate Program Committee also administers the comprehensive examination for each degree candidate and shall assign pass or fail for the comprehensive evaluation based on its determination of the candidate’s competence. Those students who choose to write a thesis must file their thesis before their comprehensive examinations.
Application for Graduation
A candidate for the Master’s degree must file an application for graduation with the Registrar’s Office at least one semester prior to the semester in which the work for the degree is anticipated to be completed. In addition, the student’s advisor must indicate approval for graduation to the Graduate Council.
Requirements for Graduation
It is the responsibility of the Graduate Council to certify that a student has met all the requirements for the degree, certificate, or credential sought. The requirements for graduation include:
Filing an application for graduation at least one semester prior to the semester in which the degree is being granted.
Completing all coursework as indicated on the approved program sheet. An approved petition must substantiate any changes.
Maintaining a "B" (3.00) average in all graduate work presented for the approved program.
Satisfactorily completing the required comprehensive examinations.
Completing all credits applied to the program within six (6) consecutive years or seven (7) consecutive summers prior to the awarding of the degree.
Completion of exit requirements.
Conferring of Degrees
Although the completion of a degree is posted on the student’s transcript at the end of the semester in which it was earned, diplomas are conferred only at the conclusion of Spring Semester with commencement exercises held on campus. While attendance at the exercises is not mandatory, students are urged to participate.
Candidates who successfully complete the K-12 Principal Program and hold a Montana Class I Professional Teacher’s License or Class II Standard Teacher’s License, have three-years teaching experience, and have successfully completed a Masters degree are eligible to be recommended for a Class III Administrative License-K-12 Principal Endorsement.
Residence, Transfer, and Extension Credit
A maximum of 25% of the required credit hours to complete the endorsement can be transfer courses. Courses accepted for transfer credit must have been earned at the graduate level from an accredited institution and carry a letter grade of “B” or better. Courses which carry grades such as “P” or “S” are unacceptable for transfer credit.
Admission to K-12 Principal Endorsement Internship
Candidates seeking admission into the Internship phase of the K-12 Principal Endorsement program must have completed / provide the following:
Earned Master’s Degree
Candidates must have on record with the MSU-Northern Registrar’s Office a Master’s degree, preferably in a field of study related to K-12 Public Education.
Teaching Experience
Candidates must have completed a minimum of three (3) years of successful professional teaching experience as an appropriately licensed and assigned teacher at the level within K-12.
Background Check
Candidates must submit a complete MSU-Northern Background Check packet with the associated finger print card and state and federal fee by the end of Spring Semester in order to allow time for the check to be done, received, and reviewed by the Education Department. A previous official state and federal level background check can be substituted for consideration if it is no more than eighteen (18) months old at the time of application.
Letters of Recommendation
Candidates must provide the following current (within the last two [2] years) letters of recommendation:
Two (2) letters from teaching peers
One (2) letter from the immediate school administrator
One (1) letter from the District Superintendent and/or School Board wherein they wish to complete the internship
This letter must declare their willingness to support the candidate in a one-year part-time or full-time internship.
Scholarship
Students must have successfully completed EDUC 625, 630, 640, 670, and 672 with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or above for all graduate work applied to fulfilling the requirements for the program (EDUC 633 may be taken during the Fall semester of the Internship but must also receive a 3.00 or above
K-12 Principal Endorsement Capstone Project
Each candidate is required to complete a digital Internship Document and associated presentation that demonstrates satisfactory performance in a minimum of seven (7) of the nine (9) Areas of Responsibility as defined in the Administrative Intern Candidate Handbook.
K-12 Principal Endorsement Program Completion
It is the responsibility of the Certification Officer of K-12 Principal Endorsement Programs to certify that a candidate has met all the requirements for recommendation to the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI).
It is the candidate’s responsibility to submit a completed Montana Class III Administrative License - K-12 Redissemination of Background Check Information, and an official/sealed transcript (with all required coursework posted) to the Certification Officer. Once all documentation has been received and reviewed, the Certification Officer will complete an Institutional Evaluation and Recommendation and submit all materials to OPI’s Licensure Office.
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