Mission Statement

Our mission is to equip our students with the skills, knowledge, and passion to reach their educational goals. We offer a dynamic and flexible learning environment to meet the needs of students in various content areas and endeavor to provide varied opportunities for the intellectual and professional growth of diverse candidates.  

Program Responsibilities

We believe we have responsibilities to current graduate candidates. Additionally, we believe we have the responsibility to collaborate with the communities within which our graduates will work, to continue to grow as a program, and to model professional involvement and identity. It is our responsibility to foster a safe, open, equitable, and inclusive learning environment that promotes academic discourse, freedom of expression, constructive criticism, and reasoned argumentation.

Program Objectives

  • The program will prepare and graduate skilled, knowledgeable, self-aware and self-reflective candidates who are prepared academically to excel in their chosen fields.
  • The program will support faculty to collaborate with the community, its agencies and schools, to aid in learning opportunities for graduate students.
  • The program will continually evaluate the curriculum, practices, and requirements to promote the highest quality education in content areas and in pedagogy.
  • The program will provide versatile learning formats to accommodate students from varied professional backgrounds and geographical locations and will strive to ensure an inclusive educational experience.

Program Learning Outcomes

  • The graduate candidate demonstrates an ability to integrate knowledge and methodologies from pedagogy and their discipline in order to analyze complex problems and develop creative solutions.
  • The graduate candidate possesses critical thinking and problem solving skills that draw upon a broad range of perspectives and methods.
  • The graduate candidate communicates effectively across disciplinary boundaries, using a variety of media and formats to convey complex ideas and arguments.
  • The graduate candidate demonstrates a deep understanding of the theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches that underpin scholarship and advanced research in their discipline.

Degree Offered

Degree Options Program Description
Teaching in a Content Area, MS Content Area chosen with advisor(s) Academic Map

Admission Application Instructions:

First Step:

An MSU-Northern application is needed regardless of new admission and/or re-admission

Costs: $30 for new application fee / $0 for re-application fee / $0 for Montana residents

Transcripts must be sent from ANY institution you have attended in which you have taken classes except MSU-Northern

Second Step:

  • Once admitted to MSU-Northern, call the CASE Program Manager, at 406.265.3735 with this information:
    • Mailing Address, Phone Number, and Email Address
    • Degree Sought / Program of Interest
  • Send the following to the CASE Program Manager:
    • 3 Letters of Recommendation
    • Statement of Purpose
      • Include your previous academic accomplishments and other relevant preparation, your goals for the program and afterward, and how this program will help you to achieve your goals.

Third Step:

  • Once your file is complete, you will receive a determination letter and will meet with an advisor.

Admission Deadline:

  • Fall Semester: May 1 to submit application to the Graduate Education program.

Faculty & Staff

Valerie L. Guyant, PhD
Associate Professor of Literature
valerie.guyant@msun.edu | 406.265.4713 | Bio | CV