About
A College Experience to Fit You
Here at the University of Montana we want to offer students various ways they can obtain college credit and college credentials outside of the AP and IB realm.
Early College Program
Our Early College program is for high school and home school students who want to experience college courses on campus or online. Students are welcome to take any 100- or 200- level courses during our Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. Students must follow the same deadlines and policies as all undergraduate students. Our advisors are happy to meet and discuss courses that best fit your schedule and align with your future plans. Please note that unless approved by your high school, these courses will count as college credit only.
Dual Credit Program
The Dual Credit program gives high school students an opportunity to earn college credit at their high school during their normal school day. Students are taught by qualified high school instructors and will meet the same course objectives as our on campus students. They have many of the same deadlines as our undergraduate students but the application deadline is more flexible. Many high schools participate in our program, with each one offering its own array of courses.
Are You Eligible?
In order to be eligible for our programs students must be:
- at least a Junior in high school or between the ages of (16-19), and
- on track to complete their high school diploma or certification within a 4 year time frame.
We do make exceptions for some sophomore-level students. Please contact our Dual Enrollment Program Director Jordan Patterson for more information.
SO WHAT WILL IT COST ME?
Early College
Our Early College Program offers high schoolers a great opportunity to join our regular classes in person or online. Students will be charged 50% of the standard in-state Missoula College tuition rate. Students will be responsible for textbooks, materials, and applicable course or program fees. If students will be parking at the University of Montana's Mountain Campus or the Missoula College's River campus, students will be responsible for purchasing a parking permit.
Dual Credit
Participating in our Dual Credit Program offers high schoolers a great opportunity to earn college credit at their high school. While this opportunity isn't free, it offers substantial savings (50% off standard MC tuition rates) for participants. The first two courses (up to 6 credits) are offered tuition-free to students in our Concurrent Enrollment program through the Montana University Systems 1-2-FREE Program.
What is 1-2-Free?
One-Two-Free is the Montana University System's Dual Enrollment program. One-Two-Free launched in August 2018 as a pilot program funded by the MUS to increase access to higher education for high school students, reduce education costs for Montana families, and enhance student success. In February 2020, Montana Governor Steve Bullock and Commissioner of Higher Education Clayton Christian announced the continuation of One-Two-Free. The program offers two dual enrollment courses to all eligible students for FREE. One-Two-Free also allows students who demonstrate hardship to apply for a scholarship to cover tuition for additional Dual Enrollment courses.
CONTINUE YOUR EDUCATION
It is important to understand how the credits you earn through the University of Montana will be applicable to your future. Credits earned through our programs transfer seamlessly to all Montana University System colleges and universities, as well as others institutions throughout the country.
How the credits are applied will always be up to the receiving institution or program. This means a course may transfer to your chosen college, but it may be accepted as elective credit instead of a major requirement. If you know the college you are planning on attending explore their website. Many institutions also have transfer to show you how your credits from the University of Montana will transfer to their institution.
College Responsibilities
Being successful in college courses doesn't just boil down to grasping the material and participating in class. You will be responsible for knowing when projects and homework is due, and when tests or exams are approaching. You will need to fill out a number of (boring and probably unnecessary) forms, follow procedures for registration and payment, understand university policies and how they apply to you, and abide by strict university deadlines.
This isn't to say that there aren't many resources eagerly awaiting to help you be successful. But you are, by all means, responsible for your own success.
You should also keep in mind that by entering the Dual Enrollment Program, you are beginning a record of academic history via your college transcript, which will represent you throughout your entire post-secondary time. That can be a good thing, or a bad thing depending on your actions.
Note: Poor academic history can adversely affect the following:
- Your ability to gain admissions into post-secondary institutions
- Your ability to be awarded financial aid and/or scholarships
- Acceptance into the degree program of your choice
- Eligibility for participation in athletics and campus activities
Being a Dual Enrollment student and earning college credits while you're in high school is a positive and important step in your academic career so long as you are hard-working, organized, and responsible.