How to Apply

  1. Submit an application form or apply online. Applications can also be obtained from Montana high school guidance counselors, or by writing to the Admissions Office, Montana State University-Northern, Havre, MT 59501 or calling toll-free 1-800-662-6132 or (406) 265-3704.
  2. A $30 non-refundable application fee and the completed admissions application should be returned to the Admissions Office. If the applicant is admitted but does not register, the $30 application fee is valid for the subsequent twelve months.
  3. A final high school transcript, with a graduation date posted, must be sent to the Admissions Office, Montana State University-Northern, Havre, MT 59501.
  4. All freshmen applicants who have graduated from high school less than three years prior to the first date of enrollment at Montana State University-Northern must submit a score report from the American College Test (ACT) or from the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).

All Incoming Freshman

  • Individuals seeking a 4-year degree: Graduates of accredited high schools who graduated less than three years prior to attendance, must meet both the Admission Standards requirements and the Board of Regents college preparatory curriculum to begin as first-time, full-time freshmen.
  • Individuals seeking a 2-year degree: Students must have graduated from a high school accredited by the state accrediting agency OR have a high school equivalency completion assessment designated by the Montana Board of Public Education to be admitted to any campus of the Montana University System. 
  • All Incoming Freshman: All incoming Freshman students must have graduated from a high school accredited by the state accrediting agency or have a high school equivalency completion assessment designated by the Montana Board of Public Education to be admitted to any campus of the Montana University System. 
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Admission Requirements

The Admission Standards requirements are as follows:

  • Enhanced ACT Composite Score of 20 or higher 
          OR
  • SAT Combined Verbal and Math Standard Score of 1440 or higher
          OR
  • High School Grade Point Average of 2.50 or higher
          OR
  • Test optional: The Montana Board of Regents of Higher Education has ended the requirement that students provide ACT or SAT test scores for admission to its campuses. This change is effective immediately and for the foreseeable future. If you have ACT or SAT test scores, please submit them. These scores can be used in place of a supplemental assessment administered through MSU to determine math and English placement. 

          OR

  • Rank in the upper half of the student's graduating class.

    (for information on ACT & SAT tests, finding testing centers and more, visit the ACT and SAT websites)

College Preparatory Curriculum

Students must meet one of the three following categories for admission as a full-time freshman.

A Minimum Core with Test Requirement
Course Years College Prep Exam Score
Mathematics 3 Algebra I, II and Geometry (or the sequential content equivalent of these courses). Mathematics course in senior year encouraged ACT Math 22
SAT Math 480
   
English 4 Written and oral communication skills and literature.
Science 2 2 lab sciences: one year must be earth science, biology, chemistry or physics.
Social Studies 3 Global studies (world history, world geography), American history, and government. Economics, American Indian history or other third-year courses.
Electives 2 Foreign language, computer science, visual and performing arts, or vocational education.

OR

B Minimum Core with AP Credit by Exam
English 4 Written and oral communication skills and literature
Science 2 2 lab sciences: one year must be earth science, biology, chemistry or physics.
Social Studies 3 Global studies (world history, world geography), American history, and government. Economics, American Indian history or other third-year courses.
Electives 2 Foreign language, computer science, visual and performing arts, or vocational education.
Course Advanced Placement Exam Score
Mathematics Advanced Placement Courses designed to prepare students for these exams. Calculus AB 3+
Calculus BC 3+
English Advanced Placement Courses designed to prepare students for these exams. English Language 3+
English Literature 3+

OR

C Rigorous Core without Test Requirement
Mathematics 3 Algebra I, II, geometry (or the sequential content equivalent of these courses, i.e. three levels of Integrated Mathematics
1 A course beyond Algebra II or beyond Integrated Math III (such as Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Computer
Math, Integrated Math IV). All with grades of C or better.
English 4 Written and oral communication skills, literature, and a designated college-prep composition or research-writing course.
Science 3 Full year each: General, physical or earth science; biology; chemistry or physics.
Social Studies 3 Global studies (world history, world geography), American history; government, economics, American Indian history
or other third-year courses. Recommendation: one half year or more of other courses such as psychology, humanities.
Electives 3 2 years of a second language, music, fine arts, speech/debate, career and technical education (such as information technology, computer science).

Students who are not eligible to enter a four-year program may pursue an associate degree major and change to a four-year program upon successful completion of MATH 121 or higher.

Exceptions to the College Preparatory/Admission Standards Requirements:

  1. Non-traditional students (students that graduated from high school at least three years prior to enrollment),
  2. Summer only students,
  3. Part-time students taking seven or fewer college or university level credits. For the purpose of this section, "university level credits" means those courses that are applicable toward an associate of applied science, associate of science, bachelor of applied science, or baccalaureate degree at Montana State University-Northern. Such courses shall include neither remedial nor developmental courses.