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Montana State University
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Montana State University - Academics - Academics - College ProwlerCollege Prowler2.69

Academics

C+
Where does this grade come from?View all Academics rankingsReview this school to add your opinion

Comparable Schools' Academics Grades:

Quick Stats

Student-Faculty Ratio 16:1
Full-Time Student Population 9,518
Part-Time Student Population 2,829
Full-Time Instructional Faculty 559
Part-Time Instructional Faculty 236
Total FT Faculty 729
Faculty with Terminal Degree 79%
Average Faculty Salary $64,691
Full-Time Retention Rate 74%
Part-Time Retention Rate 56%
Graduation Rate 47%
Programs/Majors Offered 69
Average Course Load 4–5 courses
Academic/Career Counseling? Yes
Remedial Services? Yes
Class Sizes
  • Fewer than 20 Students: 43%
  • 20 to 49 Students: 43%
  • 50 or More Students: 14%

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

Eccentricities abound with MSU’s professors, making their classes a great source of entertainment along with education. Though not all professors share their oddities with their class, all professors do seem dedicated to their teaching. While MSU is gaining a (some say, bad) reputation as a research school, many professors still choose to put their students before personal glory. Beyond the classroom, most teachers are generally accessible and are willing to meet with students in a local coffeeshop or in their office to discuss class material or grading policies. This willingness to work with students, mixed with the fact that nearly all classes are taught by professors rather than TAs, makes the classroom a welcoming place at MSU.

For students who thrive in smaller, more intense settings, the Honors College may be an appropriate option. The best professors throughout the school come together to teach honors seminars. Anyone interested in the Honors College must take two semesters of seminars called Texts and Critics. The classes focus on reading classic and modern works of literature, then delving into their themes through discussion and papers. Each seminar has a class enrollment of 15, maximum. Many incoming students find their classes require little of their time, but once they reach the 200-levels, the workload increases significantly, and they are forced to develop good study habits in a short amount of time.

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Montana State Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Academics at Montana State University

student44

Pharmacology '15

0.0
F

Profs Are for Research

While there are some really outstanding professors, the majority at least in BS degree programs or for CORE classes have no desire to teach, lack teaching skills and frankly care little about the students. The profs can have consistently low - D average scores on exams and don't really care. The schools has forgotton the students are paying a large tuition to learn. Even with end of year ratings that are poor, the same profs, are allowed to conitnue teaching and that is not a good sign. The focus here is research and how many grant dollars that employee brings in, not how many students the professor was able to help succeed.

May 08, 2012

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Academics at Montana State University

Britdmurf

Psychology '15

5.0
A+

Library

The Library here at MSU is AMAZING. It has floors that are specific to noise level, so if you need peace and quiet you can go to the quiet floors, or if you are having a study group then head to floor number 2! My # 1 study spot!

Mar 28, 2012

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Academics at Montana State University

sbrown250

Business Administration and Management '15

4.6
A

Academics Are Good

The Engineering program is really good. I know it can be challenging but its well worth it.

Feb 25, 2012

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Page 1 of 13
User rating for Montana State University - Academics is 3.5 out of 5 based on 38 user reviews.

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate your school’s professors on the following topics

Rate your school’s academic environment on the following topics

Facts

Instructional Programs Occupational: No
Academic: Yes
Continuing Professional: No
Recreational/Avocational: No
Adult Basic Remedial: No
Secondary (High School): No
Special Credit Opportunities Advanced Placement (AP) Credits: Yes
Dual Credit: Yes
Life Experience Credits: No
AP Test Score Requirements Credit and/or placement for scores of 3–5
IB Test Score Requirements Credit for score of 4 or better
Undergraduate Schools/Divisions
  • College of Agriculture
  • College of Arts & Architecture
  • College of Business
  • College of Education, Health, & Human Development
  • College of Engineering
  • College of Letters & Sciences
  • College of Nursing
  • University College
Degrees Awarded
  • Associate degree
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Doctorate - Research/scholarship
  • Master's degree
  • Post-master's certificate
Most Popular Majors
  • Business/Commerce, General: 5%
  • Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General: 4%
  • Foundations of Education: 2%
  • Registered Nursing (RN): 4%
Special Study Options
  • Distance learning opportunities
  • Study abroad
  • Teacher certification (below the postsecondary level)
Best Places to Study
  • Leigh Lounge in the SUB
  • Renne Library
Did You Know?
  • The Media & Theatre Arts department at MSU has the only degree program in the world for Science and Natural History Filmmaking.
  • Paleontologist Jack Horner is the campus's Museum of the Rockies curator and is responsible for finding the first dinosaur egg clutches in America, as well as advising the creators of Jurassic Park, among other accomplishments.
  • Having a hard time refining your thesis statement for your research paper on free trade agreements? Just can't figure
  • out how to apply the fundamental theorem of calculus? Wilson Hall offers both a math center and writing center where students meet with tutors who will help with the learning process.
  • Students who prefer smaller class sizes that apply Socratic learning methods may be interested in the University Honors College. With class sizes capped at 15 students and curriculum revolving around discussion, many students take advantage of the small-college atmosphere.

Become a Contributing Author Learn more »

Most Recent Student Author View all

Name
Erica Aytes
Hometown
Pocatello, Idaho
Major
English Literature/Spanish

College Prowler is seeking talented student authors to assist with writing and updating the College Prowler guides to their schools. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain experience and tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is really like at your college.

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How do we get our information? Find out here or report an error here. The statistics on our site are from the National Center for Education Statistics IPEDS database.
We update this information twice annually, most recently in May 2012, but it may not be the most recent information available for a particular school.
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