Note: All professional licensure described below will require a fingerprint-based background check through the applicable licensing office.

Teaching & Learning

Montana
UM’s teacher education licensure and endorsement programs are accredited and approved by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the Montana Board of Public Education. Upon completion of UM degree and program-specific requirements, completers are eligible for Class 1 or 2 Montana educator licenses with subject-specific endorsements. Educator licenses in Montana are issued by the Montana Office of Public Instruction based on recommendation and documentation by UM.

Out-of-State
Each state sets their own licensure eligibility requirements and individuals must apply directly to that state’s licensure office. UM’s educator licensure and endorsement programs are CAEP and state accredited and transcripts clearly document content, education, and clinical experience coursework. Consequently, completers have routinely moved to other states and found licensure steps to be a straightforward process. Please contact the UM Licensure Office for more details on specific states.

Educational Leadership

Montana
UM’s administrative licensure and endorsement programs for principal and superintendent are accredited and approved by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the Montana Board of Public Education. Upon completion of UM degree or certificate and program-specific requirements, completers are eligible for Montana Class 3 administrative license with a K-12 Principal or K-12 Superintendent endorsement. Educator licenses in Montana are issued by the Montana Office of Public Instruction based on recommendation and documentation by UM. The Montana OPI will also verify requirements related to teaching and administrative experience per licensure rule.

Out-of-State
Each state sets their own licensure eligibility requirements and individuals must apply directly to that state’s licensure office. UM’s educator licensure and endorsement programs are CAEP and state accredited. Consequently, completers have routinely moved to other states and found licensure steps to be a relatively straightforward process. It is important to note that some states require Ed.S. or doctoral degrees for superintendent licensure and credit-based field experiences which UM and the Montana OPI do not. Please contact the UM Licensure Office for more details on specific states.

Counseling

School – Montana
UM’s school counseling program is accredited and approved by the Council for the Accreditation of Counselor and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and the Montana Board of Public Education. Upon completion of UM degree and program-specific requirements, completers are eligible for a Montana Class 6 specialist license with a K-12 school counseling endorsement. Educator licenses in Montana are issued by the Montana Office of Public Instruction based on recommendation and documentation by UM.

School – Out-of-State
Each state sets their own licensure eligibility requirements and individuals must apply directly to that state’s licensure office. UM’s school counseling program is CACREP and state accredited and transcripts clearly document content, pedagogy, and clinical experience coursework of 700+ hours. Consequently, completers have routinely moved to other states and found licensure steps to be a straightforward process. It is important to note that a few states require teaching experience for school counseling licensure which UM and the Montana OPI do not. Please contact the UM Licensure Office for more details on specific states.

Clinical Mental Health (LCPC) – Montana
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor licenses in Montana are issued by the Montana Board of Behavioral Health within the Montana Department of Labor and Industry. UM’s clinical mental health counseling program is accredited and approved by the Council for the Accreditation of Counselor and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Upon completion of degree and program-specific requirements, completers are eligible for licensure as candidates in Montana. Additional supervised clinical hours and testing are required for standard LCPC licensure. Up to 700 hours from UM’s program may count toward the 3000 supervised clinical experience hours required for full LCPC licensure in Montana.

Clinical Mental Health (Licensed Professional Counselor) – Out-of-State
Each state sets their own licensure eligibility requirements and individuals must apply directly to that state’s licensure office. The American Counseling Association website provides general information and links to individual state licensing boards and agencies. UM’s clinical mental health counseling program is accredited and approved by the Council for the Accreditation of Counselor and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and consists of a minimum of 700 hours or supervised clinical hours. Additional supervised clinical hours and testing are required for standard LPC licensure in most states. It is recommended that interested parties research the specific licensure requirements of each state, as clinical hour and testing requirements vary slightly from state to state.