Montana State University Extension has partnered with Utah State University Extension to offer the Remote Work Professional certificate program, a 1-month specialized course designed to equip workers and business owners with training needed to:

  • Find a job working remotely for a company
  • Expand a business to serve customers remotely
  • Increase skill levels for people already working remotely

Participants receive assistance with finding a remote job, with building their business and connecting to a network of other remote workers.

Are You Ready? Please read before registering.

Registration Begins Here for Montana Residents!

Please follow all instructions.

Cost

The cost to take the course is $199. 

Course Format

The 4-week program consists of nine core modules, delivered in a self-paced, online format, plus a weekly interactive video-conference workshop with instructors and other course participants.  Montana State University Extension staff will help guide participants through the course. 

After completing the course, graduates work with specialists to help them find a remote job.  People interested in expanding their business into a remote work format will have access to assistance from the Accelerate Montana Rural Innovation Initiative (AMRII) or their local economic development professional.

Courses start at the beginning of each month (except no class offered in July and December).

For more detailed information about the course, review the course syllabus here.

Time Commitment

This professional certificate requires approximately 30-36 hours to complete or about 6-12 hours per week over the 4-week course, depending on your pace. Most of the time is independent work, except for one hour per week for the workshop (held Thursdays at 1 or 6 p.m.) and a group project.

Requirements to Participate

To take the course, participants must have the following:

  • Reliable Access to Broadband Internet
    • A stable internet connection is needed to participate in the course and the workshops.
  • Web camera and microphone
    • A working laptop or desktop computer with a web camera and microphone is needed to participate in all aspects of the program. Tablets and smartphones will not provide the access to the course content that is needed.
  • Basic computer skills
    • The course is designed for people with some comfort and skill using computers and software. While we do teach the use of new tools, a basic ability with the following is required for success in the course:
      • Send an email, with an attachment
      • Download or upload a file to your desktop
      • Do basic tasks in a word processing and spreadsheet program

Next Steps

Follow the steps below to enroll in the program.

  • Complete the purchase
  • Apply the code
    • Once you have paid, MSU Extension will send you a registration code and link via email to complete the registration process.
  • Begin the course
    • After you complete the application process, you will receive an email with links to begin the course.  You can start exploring the course content right away.  One of our MSU Extension faculty will reach out to you to introduce themselves.

Course Schedule

After you register, you will receive an email with access to the course modules and links to the workshops. See the calendar below for class dates and times.

2023 Remote Work Professional Calendar

Start Date
End Date
Application Deadline 
 (12:00 pm MDT)
Workshop Days
 
(Thursdays)
Workshop Times
(1 hour)
October 2 October 27 9/27/2023 Oct 5, 12, 19, 26 1:00 or 6:00 p.m. MT
November 6 December 9 11/1/2023 Nov 9, 16, 30, Dec 7 1:00 or 6:00 p.m. MT

 

2024 Remote Work Professional Calendar

Start Date
End Date
Application Deadline 
 (12:00 pm MDT)
Workshop Days
 
(Thursdays)
Workshop Times
(1 hour)
January 1 January 31 12/27/2023 January 4, 11, 18, 25 1:00 or 6:00 p.m. MT
February 5 March 6 1/31/2024 February 8, 15, 22, 29 1:00 or 6:00 p.m. MT
March 4 April 3 2/28/2024 March 7, 14, 21, 28 1:00 or 6:00 p.m. MT
April 1 May 1 3/27/2024 April 4, 11, 18, 25 1:00 or 6:00 p.m. MT
May 6 June 5 4/24/2024 May 9, 16, 23, 30 1:00 or 6:00 p.m. MT
June 3 July 3 5/29/2024 June 6, 13, 20, 27 1:00 or 6:00 p.m. MT
August 5 September 4 7/31/2024 August 8, 15, 22, 29 1:00 or 6:00 p.m. MT
September 2 October 2 8/28/2024 Sept 5, 12, 19, 26 1:00 or 6:00 p.m. MT
October 7 November 6 10/2/2024 Oct 10, 17, 24, 31 1:00 or 6:00 p.m. MT
November 4 December 4 10/30/2024 Nov 7, 14, 21, Dec 5 1:00 or 6:00 p.m. MT

Continuing Education

The Remote Work Certificate Course is approved for four renewal units through the Montana Office of Public Instruction.

Remote Work Resources

 

Program Lead

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Tara Mastel

Associate Specialist

MSU Extension 
Community Development Program Leader

   P.O. Box 2182 Red Lodge, MT 59068
   406-490-4180
   [email protected]

Remote Work Coaches

Janell Barber profile picture

Janell Barber

MSU Extension Choteau County Extension Agent

   P.O. Box 459, Fort Benton MT, 59442-0459
   406-622-3751
   [email protected]
Jesse Fulbright

Jesse Fulbright

MSU Extension Liberty County Extension Agent

   P.O. Box 607 Chester MT 59522
   406-759-5625
   [email protected]
Carrie Krug

Carrie Guderjahn

MSU ExtensionCarbon County
FCS and 4-H Youth Development Agent

   PO Box 230 Joliet MT, 59041-0230
   (406) 962-3522
   [email protected]
Sharon Henderson

Sharon Henderson

MSU Extension Community Development Program Coordinator

   P.O. Box 17230 Bozeman, MT 59718
   406-994-4876
   [email protected]
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Juli Snedigar

MSU Extension Blaine County Agricultural/4-H Agent

   P.O. Box 519 Chinook, MT 59523
   406-357-3200
   [email protected]