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Post-Baccalaureate Resources and FAQs

This guide is for students who have been admitted to a post-baccalaureate or graduate teacher-certification program at Montana Western.

Requirements may vary by student. Follow the individualized Plan of Study prepared by your faculty advisor and contact the appropriate office when questions arise.

After Admission

After admission, students will receive email communication about their admission status, advisor assignment, and next steps.

Students should:

  • Monitor their Montana Western email.
  • Connect with their assigned faculty advisor.
  • Review their individualized Plan of Study.
  • Discuss the number of courses they intend to take.
  • Confirm their first-semester schedule.

The Plan of Study identifies previous coursework that applies, remaining program and licensure requirements, required exams, and recommended courses.

Questions about admission

Contact the Admissions Office at 406-683-7331 or [email protected].

Questions about advisor assignment or registration status

Contact the Registrar’s Office at 406-683-7370 or use the email listed on the Registrar page. The Registrar’s Office maintains academic records and provides access to registration, graduation, forms, and transcript resources.

Registration

After admission and completion of the Plan of Study, the student and faculty advisor will discuss an appropriate course load and upcoming schedule.

First semester

The Registrar’s Office assists with first-term registration after all required preregistration steps have been completed.

Complete the Change to E-Learner Form so the correct student-fee category can be assigned. The form is listed under Other Forms on the Registrar Forms page.

Later semesters

For later semesters, the faculty advisor provides the registration PIN or advising information required to register through DAWGS.

Students should consult their faculty advisor before changing courses included in the Plan of Study.

Links

Student Systems

Montana Western email

Montana Western email is used for official communication from Admissions, the Registrar’s Office, faculty advisors, instructors, Financial Aid, and Business Services.

DAWGS

DAWGS is Montana Western’s student information system. Students use it to view:

  • Course schedules
  • Registration
  • Academic records
  • Billing and account information
  • Financial-aid requirements

Access DAWGS

Canvas

Canvas is Montana Western’s online learning system. Instructors use it for:

  • Course materials
  • Assignments
  • Discussions
  • Grades
  • Class announcements

Access Canvas

Academic calendar

The Academic Calendar includes semester dates, registration deadlines, holidays, and other important academic deadlines.

View the Academic Calendar

Textbooks and Course Materials

Required course materials can be identified through the Montana Western Bookstore.

Students should review textbook requirements before the beginning of each course.

The university’s textbook policy requires course textbook information and ISBNs to be made available through the bookstore or registration system.

Tuition, Billing, and Financial Aid

Financial Aid

Contact Financial Aid for help with:

  • Post-baccalaureate financial-aid eligibility
  • FAFSA requirements
  • VA education benefits
  • Loans and work study
  • Required financial-aid forms

Financial Aid Office
406-683-7511
[email protected]

Business Services and Student Accounts

Contact Business Services for help with:

  • Student account balances
  • Tuition and fees
  • Payment deadlines
  • Payment plans
  • Third-party payers
  • Billing questions

Student Accounts
406-683-7101
Student Accounts and Billing

The Student Accounts page includes bill-payment instructions, third-party billing requirements, and payment-plan information.

Links

Classroom Placements and Licensure

Depending on the pathway, students may need to complete classroom observations, supervised teaching experiences, or student teaching.

Students must follow Montana Western’s placement and approval process before beginning a required school-based experience.

Field placement and licensure contact

Luke Lewis
Manager of Field Placements, Supervision, and Licensure
[email protected]
406-683-7319

Luke Lewis is the contact for field placements, student teaching, and licensure recommendations.

Class 5 Provisional License

Students who are teaching in a Montana K–12 school while completing licensure or endorsement requirements may need a Class 5 Provisional License.

Montana offers multiple types of Class 5 licenses, so students should not select one without guidance. Students should consult Luke Lewis and follow the application process provided through Montana’s licensing system.

Links

Completing the Program

Students approaching their final semester should review the following steps with their faculty advisor.

Apply for graduation

Complete a separate graduation application for each certificate being completed.

Use the catalog year listed on the Plan of Study.

Complete required exams

Complete any Praxis or other licensure examinations identified in the Plan of Study.

Request that official scores be sent to:

  • University of Montana Western
  • Montana Office of Public Instruction

Request official transcripts

After the certificate has been posted, request an official Montana Western transcript.

Students requesting a transcript before final posting should select the option to hold the transcript until the certificate or degree is posted.

Montana Western fulfills official transcript orders through the National Student Clearinghouse.

Apply for a license or endorsement

After final transcripts and required exam scores are available:

  1. Begin the appropriate application through Teach Montana.
  2. Submit all required state application materials.
  3. Complete Montana Western’s request for a university recommendation.
Contacts and Responsibilities

Admissions Office

Application, required documents, immunization information, and admission status.

Registrar’s Office

Advisor assignment, registration status, registration forms, academic calendar, graduation, and transcripts.

Financial Aid Office

Financial-aid eligibility, FAFSA, loans, work study, and VA education benefits.

Business Services and Student Accounts

Tuition, student bills, payment plans, and third-party payers.

Faculty advisor

Plan of Study, course selection, course load, and progress toward completion.

Course instructor

Course requirements, assignments, expectations, and feedback.

Field Placements, Supervision, and Licensure

Classroom placements, student teaching, provisional-license questions, and university recommendations.

Montana Western Bookstore

Textbooks and required course materials.