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Online Master's Degree Programs in Montana

Montana residents who are interested in pursuing graduate studies at the master’s level without having to relocate or commute to campus classes can explore the many options for earning a master’s degree through online programs. There are colleges and universities in Montana that offer online master’s programs in common fields of study, such as business administration, education, psychology, public administration, and social work. There are also many online master’s programs offered by out-of-state schools that accept applicants from Montana, including programs offered by schools in neighboring and regional states.

The sections below offer an overview of schools in Montana and nearby states that are active in offering online master’s programs in Montana’s most common fields of master’s-level study, based on an analysis of graduation data collected by the US Department of Education for its Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).

Schools in Montana That Offer Online Master’s Programs

There are 16 publicly funded colleges and universities in the Montana University System, including Montana State University (MSU) and the University of Montana, both of which have multiple campuses throughout the state. MSU offers a variety of online programs through Montana State Online, including online master’s programs in many fields of study. Similarly, the University of Montana offers a range of online programs through UM Online, including several types of online master’s programs. In addition, there are online master’s programs offered by several of Montana’s other publicly funded schools, most of which are included in a searchable online database of Montana University System academic programs.

The six Montana University System schools that offer bachelor’s and master’s programs are listed on the table below by size, from largest to smallest, based on an analysis of IPEDS enrollment data.

School	Location	Online Degree Programs
Montana State University (MSU)	Bozeman	Yes
The University of Montana	Missoula	Yes
Montana State University Billings (MSU Billings)	Billings	Yes
Montana Technological University (Montana Tech)	Billings	Yes
The University of Montana Western (UMW)	Dillon	Yes
Montana State University Northern (MSU Northern)	Havre	Yes

The state of Montana is also home to several private, non-profit schools, some of which offer online courses and degree programs. The three largest private institutions of higher education in Montana are listed below, along with the location of the school’s campus and whether or not the school offers online degree programs.

School	Location	Online Degree Programs
Carroll College	Helena	No
University of Providence	Great Falls	Yes
Rocky Mountain College	Billings	No

Schools in the Montana Region That Offer Online Master’s Program

One of the advantages of online learning is that it gives students who want to stay in their state of residence the option of pursuing studies via distance-learning technologies and to earn their degree from the numerous colleges and universities that offer online programs throughout the country. Among the schools that offer online master’s programs are several located in states that border Montana, including schools in North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Idaho.

The University of North Dakota (UND) and the University of South Dakota (USD) are both active in offering online master’s programs. UND’s online programs include online master’s programs in accounting, aviation, business, computer science, cybersecurity, data science, education, engineering, forensic psychology, nursing, public administration, and social work. USD’s graduate offerings include online master’s programs in business, health sciences, and education.

South Dakota State University (SDSU) is another state-funded school in South Dakota that offers online master’s programs. Among SDSU’s online offerings are master’s programs in chemistry, dietetics, educational administration, engineering, family and consumer sciences, mass communication, nursing, and public health.

There are two state-funded schools in Idaho offering online master’s programs that Montana residents may want to explore. Boise State University offers online master’s in accounting, business administration, education, nursing, and social work programs. Idaho State University (ISU) has online master’s programs in teaching, human resource management, school psychology, and educational administration.

The University of Wyoming (UW) also has online master’s programs that it offers through UW at a Distance. UW at a Distance programs include online master’s programs in education, business administration, kinesiology, public administration, health services administration, and mental health counseling.

The 15 Most Common Areas for Master’s Degree Studies in Montana

From an analysis of IPEDS data on the number of students graduating from master’s programs offered by colleges and universities in Montana, OnlineEducation.com has determined the state’s 15 most common areas of study at the master’s level. These fields of study are:

Curriculum and Instruction
Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education
Education
Business Administration and Management
Educational Leadership and Administration
Accounting
Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services
Mathematics
Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist
Physician Assistant
Public Administration
Architecture
Social Work
Land Use Planning and Management/Development
Psychology

While IPEDS classifications do not align with specific online master’s programs, an analysis of the IPEDS data provides a representative overview of the types of master’s programs most commonly pursued by students in Montana. The sections below offer details about online master’s programs offered by schools in Montana and nearby states in the following areas of study:

Online Master’s in Education Programs in Montana

The University of Montana and several campuses in the Montana State University (MSU) system offer online master’s in teaching and education programs. The University of Montana has an online Master of Education (MEd) in Curriculum Studies program with specializations in: Early Childhood Education; Advanced Early Childhood Education; Literacy Education; and Teacher Librarian. In addition, the University of Montana offers an online MEd in Educational Leadership program that is designed to prepare students for Montana’s Class 3 Administrative License and the state’s K-12 Principal Endorsement.

MSU offers an online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program and an online MEd program with specializations in Elementary (K-8), Secondary (6-12), Music (K-12), and Library Media through its main campus in Bozeman. The online MAT program has tracks for elementary and secondary school teachers, and the secondary school teaching track has specializations for endorsements in English, Science, Math, and Social Studies. The online MEd program is not a licensure program; it is designed for teachers who have earned their initial certification. The online MAT program includes student teaching placements; the online MEd program does not.

Several of MSU’s other campuses offer online master’s programs in teaching and education, including MSU Billings, which has an online Master of Science (MS) in Special Education program with a Generalist option and an Advanced Studies option. The Generalist option is designed for students with a teaching degree who have not had undergraduate training in special education and who are aiming to pursue a special education teaching endorsement. The Advanced Studies option is designed for students who hold an undergraduate degree in special education and/or a special education endorsement on their teaching license. Both options require a supervised teaching internship.

MSU Northern offers an online Master of Science in Education (MSE) program with an Instruction and Learning specialization. The program is designed for K-12 teachers. It requires students to attend a campus-based orientation session at the start of the program and four additional residency sessions on campus during the six semesters it takes to complete the program.

The University of North Dakota (UND) and the University of South Dakota (USD) are two schools in the Montana region that offer online master’s programs for teachers and educators. UND’s programs include an online Master of Science (MS) in Curriculum & Instruction program for licensed K-12 teachers, as well as online master’s programs with MS and MEd options in the following specializations: Early Childhood Education; Elementary Education; Instructional Design & Technology; Reading Education; and Special Education. The online MS programs are designed for licensed and/or practicing teachers, while the MEd programs are designed to accommodate a range of students who are not licensed teachers. And USD has an online MEd in Educational Administration program with an Elementary Education specialization and a Secondary Education specialization.

Note: Licensing and certification for teachers is administered at the state level and eligibility requirements for licensure vary by state. To ensure that an online master’s program offers a curriculum that meets state licensing requirements, potential applicants should review Montana’s policies regarding licensure prior to submitting applications to online programs, particularly to programs offered by out-of-state schools. Montana residents who are considering online programs offered by out-of-state schools should also be aware that some programs require student teaching internships. It may thus be advisable to contact a program representative in advance regarding potential internship placements.

Online Master’s in Science, Mathematics, and STEM Education Programs in Montana

Montana educators who are interested in pursuing master’s-level training in a science, technology, engineering, and/or mathematics field have several in-state options through online programs offered by Montana State University (MSU). MSU offers an online Master of Science in Science Education (MSSE) program that requires students to attend campus-based field education and lab classes for two weeks during the program’s summer session, and that ends with students presenting findings from a science education capstone project on campus. While the online MSSE program does not require applicants to hold a teaching license, applicants are required to hold a bachelor’s degree in science or education, or to be a licensed teacher with a background in science.

MSU also offers an online Master of Science in Mathematics program with a Mathematics Education Option (MSMME) for teachers who are already licensed and teaching at the secondary school level, as well as an online Master of Science (MS) in Agricultural Education program for educators who have a background in agricultural science.

Montana educators who are interested in pursuing a master’s degree in a STEM teaching specialization may want to explore two online programs offered by regional out-of-state schools. South Dakota State University (SDSU) has an online MS in Chemistry program with a specialization in chemistry education that is designed for licensed teachers. The program requires students to attend two campus-based lab sessions held over consecutive summers, each of which lasts two weeks. SDSU also has an online MS in Agricultural Education program that is designed for post-secondary teachers.

The University of Nebraska offers an online Master of Education (MEd) in Science/Math Education program that is designed for certified secondary school math and science teachers, specifically for licensed teachers with an endorsement in biology, mathematics, chemistry, physics, or a natural/physical science.

Note: Licensure requirements for teachers vary by state. Montana residents who are interested in earning an online master’s degree in a STEM education field in order to become licensed should review Montana’s requirements carefully prior to applying to an online program, particularly if the program is offered by an out-of-state school. Potential applicants may also want to contact a program administrator about any student teaching assignments that may be part of the program.

Online Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) Programs in Montana

The University of Montana is currently the only school in Montana that offers an online Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. The 32-credit program has flexible enrollment that allows students to complete the program in as few as twelve months or take up the five years to earn their degree. Students in the program have the option of attending campus-based classes or taking all of their courses online. For students who did not major in business as undergraduates, there are five foundation courses in addition to the program’s 32-credit core that may be required.

Among the many out-of-state schools offering online MBA programs that accept applicants from Montana are several regional schools, including the University of North Dakota (UND), Dakota State University, the University of South Dakota (USD), and the University of Wyoming (UW). UND’s online MBA program is a 43-credit program that can be completed in a roughly two years. The Dakota State online MBA program is designed for students who hold a bachelor’s degree in business administration or at least two years of professional business experience and it has a flexible enrollment policy that gives students up to five years to complete their degree. The USD online MBA program has a general business administration track as well as specialization tracks in Business Analytics, Finance, Health Services Administration, Marketing, and Supply Chain Management. UW has a 30-credit, part-time online MBA program that can be completed in 23 months.

Online Master’s in Accounting Programs in Montana

There are currently no online master’s in accounting programs offered by schools in Montana. However, there are several schools in the Montana region that offer online programs in accounting, including the University of North Dakota (UND) and the University of South Dakota (USD). The UND program is an online Master of Accountancy (MAcc) program that has a Practitioner track for students who hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a Fundamentals track for students who hold a non-accounting bachelor’s degree. Both tracks are designed to help students prepare for the Uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam.

The USD program is an online Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA) program that has an optional Accounting Analytics specialization. While the USD program does not require applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting, it does have several undergraduate prerequisite courses that non-accounting majors must complete prior to enrolling in master’s-level coursework, including intermediate-level classes in income tax accounting, cost accounting, auditing, and accounting systems.

Bellevue University in Nebraska and Idaho’s Boise State University are two additional out-of-state schools in the Montana region that offer online master’s in accounting programs. Bellevue has an online Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) program with concentrations in Finance and Taxation. And Boise State has an online MAcc program that can be completed in one year provided students have previously completed 18 semester credits of upper-division accounting coursework and 15 semester credits of upper-division business coursework.

Note: While earning a master’s degree in accounting can help students prepare to sit for the CPA exam, licensure requirements for accountants vary by state. Montana residents who are aiming to apply for a CPA license after completing an online master’s program should review the state’s eligibility requirements carefully prior to applying to the program, particularly if the program is offered by an out-of-state school.

Online Master’s in Counseling Programs in Montana

Montana State University Billings (MSU Billings) offers two types of online master’s in counseling programs: an online Master of Science (MS) in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling program; and an online Master of Education (MEd) in School Counseling program.

The 60-credit Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling program is designed to prepare students to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) in Montana. It requires students to complete a 100-hour clinical practicum and 600 clinical hours of internships at program-approved sites. In addition, the program requires students to attend several sessions at the MSU Billings campus, including a pre-practicum orientation and an advanced group counseling seminar.

The 48-credit School Counseling program is designed to prepare students for K-12 school counselor licensure in Montana. However, it has a 60-credit LPC track for students who would like to pursue a career in school counseling as well as a professional counseling license. The 48-credit track includes two school counseling internships, one in an elementary school setting and the other in a secondary school. The 60-credit track requires two additional clinical counseling practicums. The School Counseling program requires students to attend two campus-based weekend sessions held over two consecutive summers.

The University of Providence is another Montana school that offers an online master’s in counseling program. The program offered by the University of Providence is an online MS in Counseling program with a clinical mental health counseling focus. It requires students to attend three campus-based clinical skill development classes in four-day blocks during the first four semesters and to complete a 100-hour clinical practicum and two 300-hour internships at sites approved by the program.

Montana residents may also want to explore the online Master of Arts (MA) in School Counseling program offered by the University of North Dakota (UND), and the online MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program offered by Nebraska’s Bellevue University. The UND School Counseling program requires students to attend two campus sessions during the program’s first two summers and to complete school counseling practicum and internship experiences at program-approved sites. Bellevue’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program has two required campus-based sessions and includes a 100-hour clinical practicum and two 300-hour clinical internships.

Note: Online master’s in counseling programs require the completion of clinical hours at program-approved sites. It may thus be advisable to contact a program representative about potential clinical placements prior to applying to an online program, particularly if the program is offered by an out-of-state school. It is also important to note that licensing requirements for clinical mental health and school counselors vary by state. Montana residents who are considering online programs offered by out-of-state schools should review Montana’s licensing requirements in advance to ensure that a program’s curriculum provides the training and instruction required for licensure in Montana.

Online Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) Programs in Montana

Idaho is the closest state to Montana with a school that offers an online master’s in speech-language pathology (SLP) program. Idaho State University (ISU) has an online Master of Science (MS) in SLP program. The ISU program has accreditation from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is offered in a 36-month, part-time format that requires students to participate in two on-campus clinical practicums held during the summers. In addition, students must complete an eight-week clinical externship at a site approved by the program. Admission to the ISU program is predicated on applicants successfully completing undergraduate coursework in phonetics, speech development, communication disorders, and language science.

The University of Northern Colorado (UNC) and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (UW-Eau Claire) are two additional out-of-state schools that offer online master’s in SLP programs. The program offered by UNC is an online Master of Arts (MA) in SLP program. It is designed for students who have a bachelor’s degree in SLP, audiology, or communication disorders, although applicants who have completed the equivalent of an undergraduate major in one of these fields may be considered for admission. Students in the UNC program are required to attend several weeks of on-site classes at the university’s Greeley campus during the program’s first summer and to complete a 12-week supervised internship in an approved medical setting during the final summer of the program.

UW-Eau Claire offers an online MS in SLP program with a three-year completion plan that includes three weeklong residency sessions at the university’s campus and requires students to engage in 375 supervised hours of clinical work. Admission to the UW-Eau Claire program is restricted to students who hold a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders or have completed the equivalent of an undergraduate major in communication sciences, including classes in the anatomy and physiology of speech and hearing, phonetics, audiology, and speech development.

Note: Students interested in pursuing a master’s in SLP degree through an online program should be aware that most programs require clinical internships at program-approved sites. Potential applicants to programs offered by out-of-state schools may want to contact a program representative regarding clinical placements prior to submitting a formal application to the program. In addition, licensing requirements for speech-language pathologists vary by state, which means it is advisable to review Montana’s licensing requirements prior to applying to an online program offered by an out-of-state school.

Online Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies Programs in Montana

While there are currently no online master’s in physician assistant studies programs offered by schools in Montana, there are two programs offered by schools in regional states. The University of Nebraska offers an online Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program through the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The online MPAS program is designed for practicing physician assistants (PAs) who hold a valid PA license and are employed in PA capacity, as the program requires students to complete supervised clinical hours at their workplace. The 36-credit program can be completed in five semesters, although students have up to five years to finish their degree.

The School of Medicine & Health Sciences at the University of North Dakota (UND) offers an online MPAS program that requires students to attend a limited number of on-campus sessions at the school’s Grand Forks campus. This 24-month program is designed for practicing healthcare professionals and other students who hold a bachelor’s degree with a background in science and healthcare (i.e., applicants are required to have completed college-level courses in anatomy, biology, organic chemistry, physiology, and statistics). However, the program does not require students be licensed PAs. Students in the program take online courses and complete clinical rotations at program-approved sites in their geographical locale.

Note: Online master’s in physician assistant studies programs typically require students to complete clinical internships. PAs who are considering an online program may want to contact the program regarding clinical placements prior to submitting an application. It is also important to note that licensure for PAs is administered at the state level and that licensing requirements vary by state. Montana residents who would like to become licensed PAs should review state requirements prior to applying to an online master’s in PA program, particularly if the program is offered by an out-of-state school.

Online Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) Programs in Montana

Montana residents can earn a master’s degree in public administration online from the University of Montana. The Department of Public Administration and Policy at the University of Montana offers an online Master of Public Administration (MPA) program that has an eight course core curriculum and an optional specialization track in Nonprofit Administration. In addition, students can opt for an online dual degree program through the University of Montana that awards both an MPA degree and a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree.

Among the many out-of-state schools that offer online MPA programs are several located in the Montana region. The University of North Dakota (UND) has an online MPA program that includes an internship that provides students with hands-on experience working at a city, county, or state agency or non-governmental organization. The University of South Dakota (USD) offers an online Executive MPA (EMPA) program that is designed for experienced public service professionals who have worked in the field for several years.

The University of Idaho offers an online MPA program that has a local government focus and that includes an internship that may be waived for students who have relevant prior professional work experience. And the University of Wyoming (UW) has an online MPA program that requires students to attend several weekend intensives at the school’s Laramie campus. The program has three concentration options: Criminal Justice; Environmental and Natural Resources; and Non-Profit Administration.

Note: Some online MPA programs require students to complete internships at sites approved by the program. Potential applicants may want to contact a program representative regarding possible internship sites prior to initiating the application process, particularly if the program is offered by an out-of-state school.

Currently, there are no schools in Idaho that offer an online Master of Social Work (MSW) program. However, there are two schools in nearby states that offer Idaho residents the opportunity to pursue an MSW degree online: the University of North Dakota (UND); and Idaho’s Boise State University.

UND’s online MSW program has an advanced generalist curriculum that includes training in clinical practice and macro practice social work. The program has a 60-credit track for students who hold a bachelor’s degree in a field other than social work, and a 36-credit Advanced Standing track for students who have a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Boise State’s College of Health Sciences offers an online MSW program designed to prepare students for advance clinical practice with individuals and families. The program has a traditional track for students who do not hold an undergraduate degree in social work, and an Advanced Standing track for graduates from CSWE-accredited BSW programs.

Note: Online MSW programs require students to complete field education hours at sites approved by the program. Montana residents who are considering an online program may want to contact the program regarding field placements prior to submitting an application. Montana residents who intend to apply for licensure in clinical social work after completing an online MSW program should also note that licensing requirements vary by state. Prior to applying to an out-of-state program, potential applicants should review Montana’s licensing requirements for clinical social workers.

Online Master’s in Land Management and Development Programs in Montana

The University of Montana offers an online Master of Science (MS) in Land Resources and Environmental Sciences program that requires the completion of 27 credits of graduate courses and a final research paper. The program is multidisciplinary in its design and affords students the opportunity to study a range of land management and environmental science topics, including but not limited to climate variability, watershed hydrology, land reclamation, crop diversification, environmental risk assessment, and geographical information systems (GIS) applications in land resource management. The program can be completed in two years, but students have up to six years to earn their degree.

The College of Natural Resources at the University of Idaho (U of I) offers two types of online master’s programs that may be of interest to Montana residents who are considering graduate studies in land management and development. U of I has an online Master of Natural Resources (MNR) program that gives students the option of earning graduate certificates in Integrated Natural Resources and Fire Ecology & Management while completing their degree. U of I also has an online MS in Environmental Science program that has three areas of emphasis: Biological Science; Physical Science; and Social Science.

In addition, Colorado State University (CSU) has an online Master of Natural Resource Stewardship (MNRS) program that is offered through its Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship. The program has three specialization options: Ecological Restoration; Forest Sciences; and Rangeland Ecology and Management.

Online Master’s in Psychology Programs in Montana

There are currently no schools in Montana that offer online master’s programs in psychology. However, Montana residents can earn a master’s degree in psychology online through several regional, out-of-state school, including the University of North Dakota (UND), Colorado State University (CSU), and Bellevue University, which is located in Nebraska.

UND has an online Master of Arts (MA) in Forensic Psychology program with a curriculum that focuses on social psychology and its use to better understand behavioral pathology, as well as on topics in psychology and the law. The program is designed to be completed in two years of part-time enrollment.

The program offered by CSU is an online Master of Applied Industrial-Organizational Psychology (MAIOP) program that focuses on the behavior of individuals in businesses and use of psychological theories and practices to improve human resource management, design workforce training programs, and overcome organizational leadership challenges. The 38-credit program can be completed in two to four years, depending on the number of courses a student takes per term.

Bellevue University is another school in a nearby state that offers an online master’s in industrial-organizational (I-O) psychology. The Bellevue program is a 36-credit online Master of Science (MS) in Industrial and Organizational Psychology program.

Note: Some online master’s in psychology programs may require supervised internships at sites approved by the program. Montana residents who are considering online programs may want to contact administrators at those programs prior to initiating the application process in order to ensure that a convenient internship site can be found. Applicants should also be aware that licensure for clinical psychologists requires a doctoral degree. Thus, while earning a master’s degree in psychology can lead to a number of different career outcomes, it will not qualify graduates for a state license to practice clinical psychology.