Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, if you are a new student an advisor from Student Central will help you choose your courses. Contact Student Central by phone at 406.771.4414 or 800.446.2698, ext. 4414 to make an appointment.

Once you are officially in a program, you will be assigned a program advisor to help you select courses each semester. If you do not know who your advisor is, contact Student Central.

However, if you are a non-degree distance student, the Academic Advisor can help you select your courses if your assigned advisor is unable.

 

Yes, you can research library databases from your home by applying for the library proxy server. After filling out and submitting this form, you should receive an e-mail in approximately a week that will instruct you on configuring your computer in order to access the library databases. This is a great tool for research! If you have questions about library resources, please contact the library directly by calling 406-771-4398.

 

MSU–GF Online courses are available on a semester basis. Courses begin the first day of the semester and end the last day of the semester just like the classes taught on campus. However, some instructors will have their courses open six days prior to the beginning of the semester on a limited basis for training purposes. Take advantage of this opportunity and check out your course if it is available. However, the instructor will not begin teaching until the first day of the semester and may not respond to emails within the course until that time.

 

You will need a password to access your distance class. If you are taking a course via D2L, go to Banner Web and log into the Secure Area, click on Personal Information, and View Desire2Learn ID. This is your username. If you are a new student, try logging into Desire2Learn (D2L) using your six-digit birthdate as your password. If that doesn't work, try resetting your password by going to http://password.montana.edu and filling in the information requested. You will need to know your Banner ID number as well as your PIN to get into Banner. Your Banner ID number is the eight-digit number beginning with a hyphen (-) on your billing statement. If you do not know your Banner ID or forget it, please contact the College and ask for Student Central or the MSU–GF Online Department.

If you are taking a class in a different format than D2L please email your instructor for your login information and your password to get started.

 

Although your course will have a schedule with due dates, you have the flexibility of being online anytime – 24 hours a day – that is convenient for you. 

 

Most of our distance courses at MSU–Great Fall are offered via Desire2Learn (D2L) However, a few courses are offered directly off our website. Many of our Math instructors use www.coursecompass.com to supplement their course. 

 

In most cases tests are either open book, timed, or project based. You may be asked to find a professional in your community to proctor an exam, especially for Math or Accounting or Introduction to Computers. For more information on proctors, please refer to your course for detailed instructions or email your instructor if you have questions.

 

You can now access an application form online. Either fax this completed application to 406.771.4329 or mail it to the College at: MSU–Great Falls, ATTN: Admissions, 2100 16th Avenue South, Great Falls, MT 59405.

New this summer, if you are attending an Montana University System (MUS) college or university, you can now fill out a transmittal application for an $8 fee (paid to your home school) and have all of your records (application, transcripts, shot records, etc.) sent to another MUS college or univeristy.

If you prefer, you may contact Student Central on our campus at 800.446.2698 or information@msugf.edu and request an application packet.

 

Search Banner Web (course schedule) to determine who is teaching the course and then refer to our campus directory or click on the link to the right online instructor directory for a phone number and email address. If your instructor is not listed or you have any questions, please contact the MSU–GF Online office for assistance at distance@msugf.edu or by phone at 406.771.4440 or 800.446.2698, ext. 4440.

 

You may purchase your texts in the bookstore or order your textbooks online at www.thecottagebookstore.com

 

If you are a new student, contact Student Central at 406.771.4414 or 800.446.2698 to sign up for a Compass test, STAR orientation or schedule a telephone appointment with a counselor.If you are a returning student, you will need your Advising number (also called your Alternate PIN) from your instructor each semester before you will be allowed to register. You register on Banner Web by logging into the Secure Area. You will need your Banner ID, your PIN, your Alternate PIN, and the CRN numbers of each course you want to register for.

 

If you are new to distance learning, orientations are available to acquaint you with the technology. For times and dates of the next distance learning orientations clicking on Orientation Schedule.

This will vary from class to class. We recommend you log in to your course 2-3 times a week. Most of the course work can be done offline. You will need to be online to retrieve messages, send messages, take tests, and do research.

 

If the course is closed, download an Override Authorization Form, print it off and return it to the College; you may also fax it to 406.771/4317.  Please put your phone number or email address on this form so we can contact you if your override is approved. You may email the faculty teaching the course directly for approval; however, you will still be required to fill out this form.

Watch Banner Web for an opening because there are lots of adds and drops the first couple days of the semester.

 

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Associate of Applied Science Degrees:

• Microcomputer Support ( 80% online)
• Networking Support (80% online - hybrid)
• Web Design (80% online)
  • Health Information Technology
  • Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
  • Medical Transcription

    Certificate of Applied Science Degrees:

    • Health Information Coding Specialist
    • Medical Billing
    • Medical Transcription

      Transfer Degrees Options:

      • Montana University System Core
      • Associate of Arts
      • Associate of Science

        Professional Certifications:

        • Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS)
        • Public Safety Communications (PSC)