Transfer students at MSU have many opportunities and resources available to them. We encourage you to visit our campus, but some of you will have questions before that time and will find it helpful to "read on" for more information.
The information that follows provides you with some useful tools and guidelines as well as the recommended steps to take in order to complete the process of transferring to MSU.
Also on this page you will find a list of the e-mail addresses of several MSU staff who are willing to advise you (even before you officially enter the doors of our campus!). Please feel free to contact any one of them or the Office of Admissions if you need any assistance!
We look forward to welcoming you as a new transfer student to Montana State University!
Tips for a Successful Transfer Experience
Inquire
First, it is worthwhile to find out as much as possible about MSU in Bozeman in terms of community information, general university requirements, available programs, specific program requirements, and residential living. You've already initiated this step by checking out our website.Apply
Apply for Admission: Obtain and submit an application to MSU Office of Admissions by these recommended priority dates:- July 1 for any fall term of the year you wish to attend,
- December 1 for spring term, and
- May 1 for summer term
ALL official transcripts must be sent to the Office of Admissions, and if you are currently enrolled in another institution, have final transcripts sent as soon as courses are completed (partial transcripts with a posted GPA are used for admission purposes, but final official transcripts are required to complete a formal credit evaluation).
- A cumulative transferable grade-point average (GPA), as determined by MSU, of 2.0 or C on a four-point scale is required in order to be accepted for admission in good standing.
- If your average GPA is below 2.0, you may be accepted on "Probationary Status" with the provision that you are required to obtain a minimum 2.0 GPA your first term of attendance at MSU in order to continue as a student at this institution.
Transcripts
All college level, degree applicable credits recorded on official transcripts from institutions that are regionally accredited at the time of your attendance will transfer. Official transcripts must be requested and sent directly from the institution to: MSU Office of Admissions, 201 Strand Union Building (SUB), P.O. Box 172190, Bozeman, MT 59717-2190. Please note that all faxed out-of-state transcripts are considered unofficial. However, those faxed directly from another Montana University System in-state institution with a macrao-fax stamp are accepted as official.Evaluations
- An UNOFFICIAL self-evaluation of course work can be accessed through our Transfer Course Equivalency Guide, available online. This information can be printed from the web and is for reference only, but will be a helpful resource when you are being advised. The equivalencies listed are the most current and subject to change. If a course or institution is not listed it does not necessarily mean that the course will not transfer, just that the information is not yet in our database system.
- 2) OFFICIAL evaluations of transfer credits will be processed by your Admissions Evaluator in the Office of Admissions only after ALL FINAL and OFFICIAL transcripts have been received for each applicant. A final transcript is one that posts ALL graded coursework through your final term of attendance at each institution. Your Admissions Evaluator will determine the equivalency of the transfer course work to MSU in Bozeman. The Office of Admissions also determines which courses fulfill University Core requirements. Catalogs are used to determine course level and content. The transfer course description is compared to the MSU course description. Courses generally matching in credit amount, level, and content are considered equivalent. Courses not matching are granted elective credit or elective credit with core.
PLEASE NOTE: An evaluation will not be done for students who have previously earned a U.S. baccalaureate degree. University Core requirements are complete for these students. Please see the following website if you are a second degree or post baccalaureate student: http://www.montana.edu/postbacc/
Follow Up
Contact your department. Departments can REVIEW your work and RECOMMEND a schedule for your first term. It is helpful to bring (or send) a copy of your unofficial coursework to the department for review. Colleges/departments also provide advisors who can review coursework and discuss specific degree requirements and credentials with transfer students. Departments should be prepared for substitution inquiries and follow up appointments. The Office of Admissions determines equivalency of courses; departments may substitute transfer course work for degree requirements. Departments should also instruct students on procedures for course substitutions (including providing any forms necessary).NOTE: The departments/colleges do not have the discretion to substitute within the following categories of University requirements: University Core, upper division requirements or total credit requirements. If you have questions about departmental substitutions, contact your department or advisor and update your course plan after you receive your official evaluation.
Orientation
As a final step in the process there are two options. You are required to fulfill either a personal orientation by scheduling an individual advising appointment with your department or attend a formal group orientation offered before each term. You need to familiarize yourself with MSU's policies and procedures. Be prepared. Bring the following:- a copy of your grade transcript
- course syllabi and/or catalogs from previous schools to show your academic advisor what course content you have already completed
- a copy of ACT/SAT scores (only necessary for Math Placement purposes if a student has no previous record of completing some form of college level, non-remedial math)
In addition, the Orientation Office will provide a list of departmental phone number and locations as well as a transfer orientation/registration checklist. The Math department provides assistance with math placement, either through testing or ACT/SAT score interpretation.
| ***Primary contact for the University's transfer students. If you have questions or need information, please contact the Admissions Office at 1-888-MSU-CATS (toll free) or by e-mail at admissions@montana.edu. |
University College130 Gaines Hall(406) 994-3532 Diane Donnelly, Director uc@montana.edu |
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| Honors Program Quad D,Room 106D, 994-4110 Aurene Sinnema honors@montana.edu |
The University Studies Program 130 Gaines Hall, 994-3532 Patricia Lane universitystudies@montana.edu |
Academic Advising Center |
Undergraduate Scholars Program 130 Gaines Hall, 994-3561 Scarlet Reierson usp@montana.edu |
The National Student Exchange |
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College of Agriculture202 Linfield Hall(406) 994-5744 Nora Smith, Assitant Director agstudent@montana.edu |
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| Ag Business/Econ 306 Linfield Hall 994-3701 Jane Boyd aboyd@montantana.edu |
Ag Education 230 Linfield Hall 994-5773 Dr. Martin Frick mfrick@montana.edu |
| Agroecology 334 Leon Johnson Hall 994-3090 Bruce Maxwell bruce.maxwell@montana.edu |
Animal Sciences 203 Animal Bioscience Building 994-5582 Denise Thompson deniset@montana.edu |
| Biotechnology 210 Plant Bioscience Building 994-5908 Andreas Fisher fisher@montana.edu |
Environmental Sciences 334 Leon Johnson Hall 994-3090 Linda McDonald lindam@montana.edu |
| Farm and Ranch Management 306 Linfield Hall 994-3701 Jane Boyd aboyd@montana.edu |
Horticulture 314 Leon Johnson Hall 994-6772 Tracey Dougher tracyaod@montana.edu |
| Land Rehabilation 334 Leon Johnson Hall 994-3090 Linda McDonald lindam@montana.edu |
Land Resources 334 Leon Johnson Hall 994-3090 Linda McDonald lindam@montana.edu |
| Plant Science 324 Leon Johnson Hall 994-6772 Tracey Dougher tracyaod@montana.edu |
PreVeterinary Program 119 Animal Bioscience Building 994-5598 Dr. Rebecca Mattix rmattix@montana.edu |
| Range Science 203 Animal Bioscience Building 994-5582 Denise Thompson deniset@montana.edu |
Sustainable Food & Bioenergy Systems 175 Hosaeus Health & PE Center 994-5640 Mary Stein mstein@montana.edu |
College of Arts and Architecture217 Cheever Hall(406) 994-4405 Rachael Ortego, Assitant Dean caa@montana.edu |
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| School of Architecture 160 Cheever Hall 994-5772 Rachael Ortego rortego@montana.edu |
School of Art 213 Haynes Hall 994-4503 Mandi McCarthy-Rogers mmrogers@montana.edu |
| School of Film and Photography 225 Visual Communications Building 994-2484 Vicki Miller vmiller@montana.edu |
Department of Music 189 Howard Hall 994-4641 Kim Eggemeyer eggemeyer@montana.edu |
College of Business338 Reid Hall(406) 994-4681 Brenda Truman, Assitant Director bstruman@montana.edu business@montana.edu |
College of Education, Health and Human Development250 Reid Hall(406) 994-4133 hhd@montana.edu |
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| Elementary Education 132 Reid Hall 994-1880 Cyndi Meldahl cmeldahl@montana.edu |
Health Nutrition and Movement Science 121 Hosaeus Health & PE Center 994-4001 Melody Anacker manacker@montana.edu |
| Family and Consumer Science & Early Childhood Education 121 Hosaeus Health & PE Center 994-3300 Laura Massey lmassey@montana.edu |
Secondary Education 132 Reid Hall 994-1880 Cyndi Meldahl cmeldahl@montana.edu |
| Sustainable Food & Bioenergy Systems 175 Hosaeus Health & PE Center 994-5640 Mary Stein mstein@montana.edu |
Technology Education 210 Reid Hall 994-5775 Scott Davis sedavis@montana.edu |
College of Engineering212 Roberts Hall(406) 994-2272 Heidi Dherick, Assistant Dean engrinfo@coe.montana.edu |
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| Chemical & Biological Engineering 306 Cobleigh Hall 994-2221 Dr. Ron Larson ron1@montana.edu |
Civil Engineering Bio-Resources Engineering Option Construction Engineering Technology 205 Cobleigh Hall 994-2111 Renee Hecox reneeh@ce.montana.edu |
| Computer Science 357 EPS Building 994-4780 Hunter Lloyd hunter@cs.montana.edu |
Electrical & Computer Engineering 610 Cobleigh Hall 994-2505 Dr. Rob Maher ecedept@ece.montana.edu |
| General Engineering 212 Roberts Hall 994-2272 engrinfo@coe.montana.edu |
Mechanical & Industrial Engineering 220 Roberts Hall 994-2203 Terry Kennedy tkennedy@me.montana.edu |
| Military Aerospace Studies(Air Force ROTC) 325 Hamilton Hall 994-4022 Major Andrew Stohlmann andrew.stolmann@montana.edu |
Military Science(ROTC) 215 Hamilton Hall 994-5476 Major Darren Purcell dpurcell@montana.edu |
College of Letters & Sciences2-205 Wilson Hall(406) 994-4288 Melody Zjadel, Assistant Dean lands@montana.edu |
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| Liberal Studies 130 Gaines Hall 994-5205 |
American Studies 130 Gaines Hall 994-5205 |
| Anthropology 2-128 Wilson Hall 994-4201 |
Cell Biology & Neuroscience cell Biology & NeuroScience Biomedical Science(includes Premedicine,Predentistry,preoptometry) 513 Leon Johnson Hall 994-5120 cbn@cns.montana.edu |
| Chemistry & Biochemistry 108 Gaines Hall 994-4801 |
Earth Sciences 200 Traphagen Hall 994-3331 earthsciences@montana.edu |
| Ecology Biology Teaching Ecology & Evolution Fish & Wildlife Management Organismal Biology 310 Lewis Hall 994-4548 ecology@montana.edu |
Economics 301 Linfield Hall 994-3701 agecon@montana.edu |
| English 2-176 Wilson Hall 994-3768 dept@english.montana.edu |
History 2-155 Wilson Hall 994-4395 |
| Mathematics 2-214 Wilson Hall 994-3601 math@math.montana.edu |
Microbiology 109 Lewis Hall 994-2903 microbiology@montana.edu |
| Modern Languages & Literatures 329 Reid Hall 994-4449 |
Native American Studies 2-179 Wilson Hall 994-3881 |
| Philosophy 2-155 994-4395 |
Physics 264 EPS Building 994-3614 physics@montana.edu |
| Political Science 2-143 Wilson Hall 994-4141 |
Psychology 300 Traphagen Hall 994-3801 psydept@montana.edu |
| Sociology 2-128 Wilson Hall 994-4201 |
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College of Nursing110 Sherrick Hall(406) 994-3785 nursing@montana.edu |
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| Academic Advising Center 418 Reid Hall 994-3532 universitystudies@montana.edu |
Office of Admissions 201 Strand Union 994-2452 admissions@montana.edu |
| Dean of Students Office 10 Strand Unio 994-2826 |
Family & Graduate Housing 1502 W Garfield St 994-3730 fgho@montana.edu |
| Financial Aid 135 Strand Union 994-2845 |
Mathematical Sciences 2-214 Wilson Hall 994-3601 math@math.montana.edu |
| Orientation 103 Strand Union 994-2827 admissions@montana.edu |
Re-entry Student Services 155 Strand Union 994-2824 |
| Registrar's Office 101 Montana Hall 994-2601 registrar@montana.edu |
Residence Life 31 Hedges Complex 994-2661 housing@montana.edu |
| Student Health Services 121 Swingle Health Center 994-2311 fax - 994-2504 |
Student Accounts 102 Montana Hall 994-1991 studentaccounts@montana.edu |
