Admission Requirements and Procedures

Admissions and New Student Services

Admissions and New Student Services provides assistance to new and re-admitting students. Prospective students in search of an application, class schedule, information about courses and programs of study, admissions guidance, or who want to check the status of a submitted application may contact Admissions and New Student Services at 406-444-6826 or 800-241-4882, ext. 6826. Admissions and New Student Services is located in the Enrollment Services Center (Rm 101) near the main entrance to the Donaldson Campus.

Application Process

Open admission allows any student who might benefit from a UM-Helena education the opportunity to enroll in classes. Applications for admission are accepted and processed in the order they are received. The deadline for priority admission consideration is one month prior to the start of each semester and complete applications are due by the last business day before the start of each semester. Students are encouraged to apply early, as financial aid is offered and programs are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Acceptance for admission to the college does not guarantee acceptance or placement in any particular program. Prospective students should review the Program Offerings section of the catalog for specific program requirements.

First-Time Admission

Students who plan to earn a degree or certificate, or enroll in seven or more credits in any one semester, and have completed no more than 11 college credits need to submit the following information:

1. A completed and signed application for admission.
2. A $30 nonrefundable application fee.
3. Proof of immunization if born after December 31, 1956; proof of age if born before January 1, 1957.
        (See Immunization section, next page.)
4. Official high school transcripts received from an accredited high school with a graduation date posted, a copy of GED scores, or COMPASS test scores demonstrating ability to benefit. To demonstrate ability to benefit, a student must achieve the minimum placement scores necessary to determine college readiness and qualify for Financial Aid. Home schooled and non-accredited high school graduates may be required to provide GED scores or to meet ability to benefit requirements. Questions regarding ability to benefit should be directed to Admissions and New Student Services.
5. Official college transcripts, if applicable.

Transfer Admission

Students who plan to earn a degree or certificate, or enroll in seven or more credits in any one semester, and who have completed twelve or more college credits with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, need to submit the following information:

1. A completed and signed application for admission.
2. A $30 nonrefundable application fee.
3. Proof of immunization if born after December 31, 1956; proof of age if born before January 1, 1957.
       (See Immunization section, next page.)
4. Official college transcripts from all college(s) previously attended.

Non-Degree Admission

Non-Degree admission is designed for students seeking personal enrichment who do not plan to earn a degree or certificate, do not seek financial aid, and who enroll in six credits or fewer in any one semester. The following information needs to be submitted:

1. A completed and signed Non-Degree Registration Form.
2. A $30 nonrefundable application fee.
3. Demonstrated completion of any prerequisites or necessary placement testing.

Readmission

Students who have previously attended UM-Helena as degree-seeking students must reapply for admission if they have been absent from the college for one or more academic semester (excluding summer). Readmitted students must follow current catalog requirements upon return. The procedure for readmission to UM-Helena is as follows:

1. Submit a completed and signed Application for Readmission.
2. Submit official transcripts from all college(s) attended since last attending UM-Helena, if applicable.
3. If readmission follows academic suspension from UM-Helena, applicants must submit an academic plan with their application for readmission. Readmission is conditional upon approval of the academic plan by the Office of the Academic Affairs.

Application Fee

A $30 nonrefundable application fee is required of all first-time applicants to The University of Montana campuses, including The University of Montana , The University of Montana College of Technology, Montana Tech, Montana Tech College of Technology, The University of Montana - Western, and The University of Montana – Helena College of Technology. If a student does not enroll within one calendar year of application fee payment, the application fee expires.

Orientation

Orientation is held for all new students before the beginning of each semester. College policies, procedures, regulations, and financial aid information are explained to students. Orientation information is mailed to all accepted students approximately three weeks prior to the orientation session. All degree-seeking students, new and readmitting, are charged a $15 orientation fee.

Immunization

All students enrolling in seven or more credits are subject to the following requirements in accordance with Montana state law (ARM 37.114.711).

1. Students born in 1957 or later must provide evidence that they have received two measles and two rubella immunizations, with dose one administered at 12 months of age or later and dose two administered at least 28 days after dose one. No measles vaccination before 1967 is valid. No rubella vaccination before 1969 is valid. As an alternative, students may supply a laboratory report from a CLIA approved laboratory indicating that the student is immune to measles and/or rubella.
2. 2. Under ARM 37.114.711, a student may be conditionally enrolled for an initial term if they have not received the second dose of measles and/or rubella vaccine provided they receive the second dose at least 28 days after the first dose and before the beginning of the succeeding school term.
3. A student may be exempt from the above requirements for medical reasons (ARM 37.114.715) providing the student supplies a statement from a physician (MD or DO) holding a license to practice in the United States or Canada stating: a) The specific immunization that is contraindicated; b) The time period the immunization is contraindicated; and c) The reasons for the contraindication.
4. A student may be exempt from the above requirements for religious reasons providing the student supplies a notarized statement that immunizations are contrary to the student’s religious beliefs. This notarized statement must be submitted annually by any student claiming a religious exemption (ARM 37.114.716).

Early Admission

Students who are simultaneously enrolled in high school or are non-high school graduates prior to the time their high school class has graduated may be accepted for admission to UM-Helena. Eligibility is limited to students who can demonstrate the academic preparation and maturity necessary to succeed in a college environment and is based upon the college providing educational opportunities that are not available to students in a high school setting. In addition to meeting the first-time student admission requirements, students must also provide a letter of support from a high school principal or counselor.

Placement Assessment

Students must submit COMPASS test scores to assist with placement. A writing sample may be required from students to assist with placement into the appropriate writing course. ACT and SAT scores, the Montana University Writing Assessment (MUSWA), and transferable college credits will also be considered for math and English placement in accordance with Board of Regents policies. Placement testing results demonstrating a need for developmental coursework preparatory to program requirements may require lengthening a student’s program of study. Placement test scores older than three years from the time of enrollment are not accepted. Placement testing results are not used to determine a student’s admission status to UM-Helena except as necessary to determine ability to benefit. There is a $15 fee for COMPASS testing. Please call 800-241-4882, ext. 2766 or 406-444-2766 to schedule a COMPASS test session.

Residency Requirements

The Montana University System classifies applicants for admission and current students as either in-state or out-of-state for fee purposes. In general, a person must meet the requirements listed below to qualify for in-state status:

1. A person must be physically present in Montana 12 or more consecutive months without an absence in excess of a total of 30 days. One must demonstrate by appropriate actions during the twelve-month period the intent to make Montana one’s permanent home. The required twelve-month period does not begin until specific actions are taken to change legal ties to Montana.
2. An individual must be at least 51% financially self-sufficient during the entire twelve-month period, and that person must not be claimed as an exemption under federal income tax regulations by someone filing an out-of-state federal tax return.
3. A person must have filed a Montana income tax return or have had Montana income tax withheld as required by state tax laws during the twelve-month period.
4. If a person drives a motor vehicle in Montana, he or she must obtain a Montana operator’s license within the required legal time limit.
5. If a person owns or operates a motor vehicle in Montana, he or she must license the vehicle in Montana within the required legal time limit.
6. An individual must register to vote in Montana if he or she expects to exercise the right to vote.
7. If an individual chooses to attend any unit of the Montana University System during the twelve-month period of continuous physical presence, he or she must limit enrollment to a maximum of six credits per semester.

There are additional regulations concerning married persons and others with special circumstances. The basic rules for making the classification are found in the Student Guide to Montana’s Residency Policy, which can be obtained from Admissions and New Student Services. Contact Admissions and New Student Services at 406-444-6823, or 800-241-4882, ext. 6823.

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)

Students who are residents of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming may be eligible to participate in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program. If selected, students pay reduced fees which are approximately one and one-half times current resident fees. WUE application materials will be sent to students from participating states. Contact Admissions and New Student Services with WUE-related questions. Admissions and New Student Services will award available WUE waivers on a first-come first-served basis to qualifying applicants. This award extends to the completion of a student’s program or two years, whichever comes first, provided the student: 1) maintains a 2.5 cumulative grade point average; 2) does not change his or her program of study; 3) completes a minimum of 12 credits each semester of enrollment; and 4) does not change his or her state of legal residence. Students who change any of these conditions stated above may lose the WUE award. Appeals will be considered on a case by case basis and should be directed to the Assistant Dean of Student Services.

CLEP/AP/CBE Credit

Students may be awarded credits by examination through the following three options:

Required scores on the respective CLEP exams will warrant full course credit in the equivalent UM-Helena course. Official results must be sent directly from the CLEP Testing Center to Admissions and New Student Services.

A score of 3, 4, or 5 on an AP exam for any equivalent UM-Helena course will warrant the award of full course credit. Official results must be sent directly from the AP testing center to Admissions and New Student Services.

Students may receive credit through nationally recognized professional licenses or certificates gained through examinations. Students must be able to provide the original certification document and examples of the curriculum for the certification. The student must verify the certification through his or her advisor and the Registrar’s Office. If curriculum and certification can not be verified, the student may be able to show competencies through the challenge process. Students should refer to the Challenge Policy for more information.

A student will receive a grade of “EC” for any credits awarded through CLEP/AP/CBE. The total credits awarded for CLEP/AP/CBE for a student cannot exceed 25% of the credits required for his or her degree.

Transfer of Credit

Students who have previously attended a regionally accredited technical school, college, or university may be eligible to receive transfer credits. Upon receipt of an official transcript, UM-Helena will cooperate with students to make a fair decision with regard to their transfer credits. Students should be aware of the following transfer credit guidelines:

• Courses must be college level, defined as those courses that are applicable toward a certificate, an associate of applied science, associate of arts, associate of science, or baccalaureate degree at their respective institution. In all cases, such courses shall not include remedial or developmental courses.
• Montana Board of Regents Policy 301.5.2 guarantees that coursework completed in the last five years will be reviewed for possible use in a student’s specific program of study, and coursework completed in the last fifteen years will be reviewed for possible use to satisfy general education requirements or as elective coursework. The guarantee provides only that courses falling into the relevant time periods will be analyzed for possible use in a student’s degree program. It does not guarantee that the courses will be automatically accepted. Further, the policy allows individual Montana University System campuses discretion with regard to consideration of outdated coursework; however, since it is a discretionary decision, it cannot be challenged. The provisions of this policy also govern the evaluation of “outdated” classes that have been completed at UM-Helena. Students with outdated coursework are encouraged to contact Admissions and New Student Services or the appropriate academic department.
• Courses must have been completed with a letter grade of C- or better, or a Pass from a Pass/No Pass grading method only if the course would apply to the student’s intended program of study. (Students should refer to the Academic Information section for limits on pass/no pass credits.)
• All programs of study require that one-half of the academic credit hours be earned at UM-Helena.
• Courses accepted for transfer credit will appear on a student’s transcript. The credits will be calculated into the total credits earned, but grades earned for accepted transfer credits will not be included in the grade point average (GPA).
• Completion of a student’s admission file by the priority deadline, which is one month prior to the first day of classes of the term for which a student has applied, will facilitate the processing of evaluation of transcripts for transfer credit.

Students will be notified in writing of the admission decision, the total number of credits accepted for transfer to UM-Helena, and the transferability of general education and/or elective credits within ten working days of the receipt of a completed transfer application on or before the priority deadline. Students seeking transfer of credits to satisfy degree and/or certificate requirements must have their official transcripts reviewed by faculty from the appropriate academic program. Students completing their transfer application before the priority deadline will be notified of the transferability of credits towards specific degree and/or certificate requirements no later than the last day to add classes for the intended term of entry.

Students who complete their transfer application after the priority deadline will receive a complete evaluation of their credits for transfer and be notified of the results prior to registration for the following academic term.

Students wishing to appeal decisions made regarding their transfer credits must submit a signed written request to the admissions office. Appeals with regard to the transferability of credits to satisfy degree and/or certificate requirements will be reviewed by the appropriate program faculty and the academic dean as needed. Appeals with regard to the transferability of general education and/or elective credits will also be reviewed by the appropriate faculty and the academic dean as needed. Students who have submitted their appeal in a timely manner will receive a response and final decision prior to registration for the following academic term. Students wishing to transfer UM-Helena credits to another college or university should contact the admissions office at the receiving institution for information and policies concerning the evaluation and acceptance of transfer credits.

Students with questions or who need further information about transfer policies should contact Admissions and New Student Services at 406-444-6826 or 800-241-4882 x6826.

Montana University System Transfer Initiative

To help students with planning their transfer within the Montana University System, a transfer initiative was implemented in 2007. The initiative incorporates common course name and numbering to make the transition from institution to institution easier for students. For more information see the MUS Common Course Numbering Transfer Guide online at www.mus.edu. Students wishing to transfer UM-Helena credits to another college or university should contact the admissions office at the receiving institution for information and policies concerning the evaluation and acceptance of transfer credits.