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Undergraduate Advising Center

Distance-Only Student Support at UM

The Undergraduate Advising Center is here to support Distance-Only undergraduate students from the start of their college career through graduation. Explore the resources below to find some of the support and informational resources available to Distance-Only students at UM.

Resources for Distance-Only Students

  • Take advantage of the Montana University System’s (MUS) course-sharing platform, which provides UM distance-only students access to online course offerings across Montana’s public community colleges and universities - expanding your options, access and flexibility.  

    Explore the MUS course share tool.

  • The UM Catalog provides a comprehensive list of all of the fully online degree programs and certificate programs that are currently available to Distance-only students at UM’s Mountain Campus and River Campus (Missoula College), including curricular degree requirements and degree maps for each program of study. 

    View online programs in the UM Catalog.

  • Online courses are housed and facilitated on UM’s Learning Management System (LMS), “Canvas”. Below you’ll find links to the LMS log-in and other helpful student resources.

  • Our tech support ensures you have the tools and assistance needed to stay connected, access your coursework, and engage with classmates and instructors. Our dedicated tech support specialists are just a call or email away, ready to troubleshoot issues, answer questions, and keep your online learning experience running smoothly.

  • Understanding the different distance course modalities is key to choosing a class that fits your schedule and learning style. Whether it’s fully online, synchronous remote, or limited on-site, each format has its own structure and expectations. Make sure to review the course details carefully so you understand the schedule, participation requirements, and whether you'll need to attend live sessions or complete work at your own pace. Here are the distinct types of distance learning courses available at UM:

    • Online Asynchronous: Online courses are 100% asynchronous, with no required face-to-face interaction between instructors and students. Online courses are facilitated through Canvas LMS. Online Asynchronous courses can be identified in the Course Search field “Online/ Attendance Method”.
    • Online Synchronous Remote: Remote courses are delivered via scheduled video conferencing (synchronous) and require students to attend on a set schedule.  Online synchronous Remote courses can be identified in the Course Search field “Online/ Attendance Method”.
    • Limited On-Site: Limited On-Site courses are 80% or more online, with the remaining instruction requiring short-term, on-site experience, such as internships or clinical work, which can be completed near your location. Limited On-site course can be identified in the Course Search field “Online/ Attendance Method”.
    • Blended: Blended delivery is a course delivered partially online in an asynchronous format and partially through face-to-face (F2F) interaction, typically in the classroom. Both online and F2F interactions are required for the course with 20-80% of the course’s instruction offered online. This delivery is characterized by the expectation of reduced F2F class meeting time when compared to the equivalent credit classroom course. Please note, students enrolled in distance education programs are ineligible to access blended courses. Blended courses can be identified in the Course Search field “Online/Attendance Method”.
    • Hybrid/Hyflex: Hybrid-Flexible or ‘Hyflex’ delivery is a course where students may choose to attend either in an assigned face-to-face environment or in an asynchronous online environment (remote synchronous may also be available). In-class meetings will be regularly scheduled, with a minimum of 50% of the weekly contact hours required for a face-to-face course. Please note, students enrolled in distance education programs are ineligible to access Hybrid/Hyflex courses. Hybrid/Hyflex courses can be identified in the Course Search field “Online/Attendance Method”.

  • UM uses a process called Core Course Registration in which new freshmen (not transfers) do not register themselves but are instead registered for classes by their advisors after they have completed specific tasks from Admissions. These tasks are communicated in the Slate portal as an Admitted Student Checklist to follow. Learn more about how Core Course Registration works. 

  • Before meeting with your advisor, review these tips, timelines and common questions to prepare for your appointment.

  • Taking a break from your studies or not able to continue at UM for some reason such as moving or transferring? Let your advisor know so they aren't concerned that you are not registering for the next semester.

Distance Student Support Resources

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Math Placement
 student writes in a notebook while wearing headphones
Writing Placement
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Library Services for Distance-Only Students
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American Indian Student Services
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Military and Veteran Services Office
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Office for Disability Equity
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Math Learning Center
 The tree blooms with pink flowers outside the Mansfield Library, home to UM's Writing Center
Writing Center
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Experiential Learning and Career Success
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TRiO
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Wellbeing Resources
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Student Advocacy Resource Center