Academic Regulations and Requirements

Absences from Classes (Approved 3/9/05)

It is Montana Tech policy that faculty should make reasonable accommodation for students to make-up work missed (or the equivalent) because of an excused absence. Students expecting to incur excused absences should consult with their instructors early in the term to be sure that they understand the absence policies for each of their courses. Excused absences include official Montana Tech events or activities, or personal matters deemed appropriate by the instructor.

Official Montana Tech Events or activities for the purposes of “excused absence”:

NAIA sanctioned sporting events
Academic Team competitions (i.e., concrete canoe, steel bridge, human powered vehicle, ethics bowl, environmental design, etc.)
Travel for professional meetings related to major
Class field trips
Others as approved by the Chancellor

Academic Advising & Course Placement

Academic advising is an integral part of the College’s larger mission of educating students for life. It is a systematic, developmental process that assists students in achieving educational and career goals and in acquiring skills and attitudes that promote intellectual and personal development.

The advising relationship links Montana Tech with its students, articulates the College’s purposes through committed, caring faculty, and gives meaning to the assumptions which guide its curricula. In essence, academic advising is a pledge to assist each student in fulfillment of his or her potential.

Full-time degree-seeking students attending regular semester (Fall or Spring) classes are assigned an advisor. Lists of advisors by department are available from the Enrollment Services Office or Department Administrative Assistants. Advisors help students meet their education goals and answer  questions concerning various aspects of academic procedure and policy at Montana Tech. Advisors’ signatures are required on official registration forms (part-time/non-degree students enrolled in seven or fewer credits excluded) and Change of Enrollment cards; students should visit with their advisor to discuss past achievement, current progress, and future plans. Students may change advisors at the Enrollment Services Office.

As part of the College’s efforts to assure student success, all first-time students are automatically placed in appropriate Mathematics (M) and writing (WRIT) courses. Placement is based on students’ ACT or SAT exam scores or on COMPASS Exam scores (taken by all Highlands College students and all undergraduate students who graduated from high school more than three years prior to applying to Tech).

Administrative Withdrawal

Unless prior arrangements have been made, an instructor may request administrative withdrawal of a student from a class if the student does not attend the first three class meetings or the equivalent. Faculty retain the right to administratively remove students who do not have the required prerequisites.

Cancellation of Courses

Montana Tech reserves the right to cancel any course through the first meeting of the class due to low enrollment.

Challenge Procedure - Credit by Examination

All course challenges must be done before the 15th day of class. Industrial work experience, military work experience, employer-sponsored courses or training, or self-study may provide justification for a student’s request to challenge a course. By challenging a course, a student seeks to earn course credit by passing appropriate examinations rather than by attending class and meeting usual course requirements.

Any student wishing to challenge a course must obtain the Challenge Course Form and Instructions from the Enrollment Services Office, follow the instructions accordingly and pay the appropriate fees. The challenge will not be official until the Challenge Grade Form and examination results are received by the Enrollment Services Office and the appropriate fees have been paid. Grades from the successful challenge will be recorded on the student’s transcript.

The following are guidelines for students wishing to challenge a course:

• Activity courses and courses for which a grade (including a W) has been received, or which have been taken for no credit may not be challenged. This includes courses previously failed (“F”) courses in which a student has received an Incomplete (“I”) or a course previously taken on an audit basis. Also Senior Design & Capstone courses may not be challenged.
• Otherwise, all college-level courses may be challenged if appropriate resources are available as determined by the appropriate Department Head.
• Only students in good academic standing (2.00 grade point average or above) at Montana Tech may challenge courses.
• The maximum number of credits that may be earned by challenge examination is 16.
• All appeals are handled by the grade appeal system described in the Grading System section of this Catalog.
• The Challenge process will require the student to complete a written examination and, when necessary, an oral examination and/or laboratory assignment.
• Students must have all challenges resolved PRIOR to filing for graduation.
   

Change of Major/Change of Advisor

Currently enrolled students who wish to change their advisor and/or major must contact the Enrollment Services Office for the appropriate forms and procedures. A student’s official program of study is not officially changed until the completed and signed forms have been provided to the Enrollment Services Office.

Course Audits & Course Listeners

Students are sometimes permitted to audit courses in which they are interested. Fees for auditing courses are the same as for credit, although no college credit is granted. No courses may be changed from credit to audit after the last date permitted for an automatic withdrawal from a course. NOTICE: Changing a course from credit to audit could result in reclassification to part-time status or lower for financial aid or enrollment confirmation purposes (e.g., loan deferments). In order to receive the audit notation on the student’s permanent record, an auditor is expected to fulfill the attendance requirements for the courses involved.

Course Listener - No student may attend a class (as a “listener”) without having been officially registered in the class. If it is determined that a student attended a class without registering for that class, the student will be graded by the instructor, and will be assessed the full cost of the class.

Course Repeats

A student may take a course up to three times (two repeats) with the intention of improving a previous grade. Credits, grade, and grade points of the most recent attempt are used in computation of the grade point average (GPA), and satisfactory completion of the course toward meeting degree or curricular requirements. Results of all attempts appear on the transcript. A student may enroll in a given course only three times. After three attempts, enrollment  into the course for a fourth time will require permission from the Director of Enrollment Management and the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Nursing students must  meet a more strict standard for course repeats. See the Nursing  section for details. Certain activity courses including band, chorus and intercollegiate athletics may be repeated for credit and grade. These courses are designated with a (R) in the course descriptions. See “Course Descriptions  “ section for credit restrictions.

Course Sequences & Prerequisites, Corequisites

Before enrolling in a course, all prerequisites for that course must be completed with a grade of C- or higher. Corequisites for a course, if not completed prior to registration, must be taken and successfully carried at the same time. Each instructor has the authority to enforce the printed prerequisites listed for his or her courses within the first 10 days of classes of the semester. Withdrawal from the corequisite necessitates withdrawal from the course for which it is required.

The suggested program sequences presented for each department are provided to give guidance to students in planning their schedules. Courses may not be available according to the stated course sequence because of the class size limitations, faculty availability, etc. Continuing students are pre-registered before new students to accommodate continuing students program requirements. Therefore, schedule modifications may be necessary for individual students.

Course Substitutions

A course substitution requires the approval of the student’s advisor, the department head of the student’s major, Dean of the student’s School, and the Director of Enrollment Management. The Petition for Course Substitution form is available online or from the Enrollment Services Office.

Course Syllabus Policy

An updated course syllabus is required to be provided by the professor for each class taught in the current term, before the first class meeting, to the Department Head in which the course is taught.

Course work - Outdated

Upon readmission after a term of non-attendance, a student will re-enter under the current catalog year. The student must meet degree requirements as set forth in that catalog or subsequent catalog. The student’s department will evaluate all course work as it applies toward the student’s degree using the following guidelines (subject to minimum grade requirements):

1. MT Tech guarantees that any postsecondary course work taken within five (5) years of readmission to the campus will be included in the analysis of specific required classes in a major, minor, option or certificate.
2. MT Tech guarantees that any postsecondary course work taken within fifteen (15) years of readmission to the campus will be included in the analysis of general education course work for degree requirements.
3. MT Tech guarantees that any postsecondary course work taken within fifteen (15) years of readmission to the campus will be included in the analysis of elective course work.

Course work that falls outside these guarantee periods MAY be included in the evaluation, at the discretion of the individual department. Individual programs in the Montana University System may have a stricter standard for outdated course work.

Credits

A credit represents 50 minutes of lecture instruction per week for one semester. The actual time required for each credit may involve any combination of lecture and/or the equivalent of recitation or laboratory work.

Credit Load

Request to Take More Than 19 Credits in a Semester: Students wishing to take more than 19 credits per semester must complete and submit a permission form stating justification for the higher credit load. Signatures of the student’s advisor, department head and the Director of Enrollment Management are required. This form is available online or from the Enrollment Services Office, and must be submitted prior to the close of registration (10^th day of classes).

Grades & Grade Points

Grades are recorded at the end of each semester according to the following grading system:

Montana Board of Regents’ Policy 301.5.3 establishes minimum grade standards for the Montana University System. One of those standards requires that all campuses calculate a student’s grade point average using common weights or value points for similar grades.

Effective Fall Semester 2005, the following values will be used to determine grade point averages in the Montana University System:

Grade point averages calculated before Fall Semester 2005, using the values in place on each campus at the time, will not be recalculated using the new weights or values.

Each student’s grade points are accumulated to determine the cumulative grade point average. This average is computed by dividing the total grade points achieved by the total credits attempted. “Credits attempted” include all courses for which grades of A, B, C, D, or F were given. Grades of W, P and I are not included. A maximum of ten HPER activity credits can be counted in a student’s grade point average. It is understood that additional HPER activity courses may be taken, but the grades earned will not count in the GPA calculation. The student’s grade point average is computed only for grades received at Montana Tech; grade points from transfer courses are not included in the student’s grade point average.

A separate transcript and GPA is maintained for students at the various levels of the College. These levels include Technical, Undergraduate, Post-Baccalaureate, and Graduate.

Semester Grade Reports are available to students via their secure Orediggerweb (http://Orediggerweb.mtech.edu) account approximately one week following the date grades are due each term, including summer school. Students who wish to have their grades mailed to them must provide a  self-addressed/stamped envelope to the Enrollment Services Office. Midterm grade reports are available to all Highlands College students and undergraduate freshmen (those students who have earned 29 credits or less) prior to the last date to drop a class with an automatic “W” (45^th day of the semester). See the academic calendar, in the Semester Class Schedule, or via the Montana Tech web site.

Pass/Fail: Students registered in physical education activity courses have the option of registering in these courses for a letter grade or under the pass-fail system. Determination of the grade type under which the student wishes to enroll in HPER activity classes must be made by the close of registration (10^th day of classes). Additionally, other courses as determined by departments are also offered as pass/fail.

Grade Appeals

When a student believes a faculty member has improperly recorded a final grade, the student needs to follow the procedural steps for an informal and/or formal grade appeal. The “burden of proof” in the grade appeals process shall rest with the student.

Informal Grade Appeal

1. Regardless of the circumstance, the student must attempt to resolve the matter via a personal conference with the course instructor within 14 days after receiving the semester grade. (Nursing Department grade appeal process outlined in Nursing Student Handbook)
2. If the student is unable to arrange a conference, or if the student & the instructor cannot reach a mutually satisfactory resolution to the problem, then the student may request in writing that the Department Head convene a meeting with the student and the course instructor within 14 days of the written request. If a Department Head or Dean is the instructor involved in the appeal, the student may request in writing that the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs appoint another Department Head or Dean to convene the informal meeting.
3. If the grade issue is not resolved at this meeting, the student may request a formal grade appeal.

Formal Grade appeals initiated after the first 30 days of the start of the next regular semester are not accepted. (Nursing Department grade appeal process outlined in Nursing Student Handbook)

Formal Grade Appeal - Committee Hearing

1. An appeal for a formal grade review must be submitted to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs within 14 academic days after the informal grade appeal process has failed. The request must include a written explanation of the circumstances that the student believes justifies an appeal to change a final grade for a course, and a written statement describing the informal attempt to resolve the issue.
2. If the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs determines that grounds for a formal grade appeal exist, he or she will request the Academic Standards Committee to review the issues and will request appropriate course materials and records from the student and from the course instructor.
3. The Academic Standards Committee shall examine all evidence (verbal and/or written) that the student and instructor present and will determine whether to recommend a final grade change. The primary consideration afforded the student will be whether or not the student was dealt with fairly with respect to other students in similar circumstances.
4. By majority vote, the Committee shall recommend letting the final grade remain unchanged, shall recommend the assignment of a new letter grade, or recommend alternative action(s) necessary to resolve the grade appeal.
5. If a new final grade or alternative action(s) is/are recommended by the Academic Standards Committee, the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs will meet with the involved faculty member to review the recommended action.
6. The Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs will make a final decision.

Every attempt will be made to complete the entire appeal process within 30 days of the initiation of the formal appeal process.

The review by the Academic Standards Committee and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs shall be the final campus appeal for the assignment of a final grade. (Approved at April 21, 1994 Faculty Meeting).

Honor Roll

A full-time undergraduate or technical student (enrolling in and completing a minimum of 12 gradeable credits) who earns a 3.25 GPA during the semester will be listed on the semester Honor Roll. Those earning a 3.5 GPA will receive recognition for being listed on the Dean’s List. A student who earns a 4.0 GPA will receive a letter and certificate from the Chancellor commemorating his or her inclusion on the Chancellor’s Honor Roll. If a student receives a final grade of “I” (incomplete) or “N” (no grade), his or her name will not be included on the honor rolls or Dean’s List. The Office of Public Relations releases the Honor Roll to the media.

Incomplete (revised Fall Semester 2005):

1. Assigning a Grade of “Incomplete.”  A grade of “Incomplete (I)” is assigned only when the student has been in attendance and has done passing work up to a time within three weeks of the close of the semester, or within one week of the close of the summer session. It may be assigned only upon agreement of the student and course instructor when extenuating circumstances make it impossible for the student to complete course requirements on time (Extenuating circumstances include serious illness, car accidents, death of a family member, etc. It does not include lateness due to procrastination, the student’s desire to do extra work to raise his or her grade, allowing a student to retake the course, etc.). If a grade of “Incomplete” is submitted, the instructor will assign a revised grade in the event the missing work is not completed. The instructor must also specify conditions and requirements for completing the deficient work, as well as any deadline shorter than the maximum time period allowed as indicated above. At the end of each semester, the Enrollment Services Office will send an Incomplete Grade Report (IGR) to departmental administrators detailing every “I” grade submitted by his or her faculty that semester and the conditions for student completion.
    
2. Completion of “Incomplete” Grades. Regardless of a student’s subsequent enrollment, final grades for incompletes received in the Fall semester must be assigned by the last day of the following Summer semester. Final grades for incompletes received in the Spring semester or Summer  Session, must be assigned by the last day of the following Fall semester. When a student has completed the deficient work, the instructor will assign a final grade. An incomplete that is not completed within the time limit specified above would automatically be changed to the reversion grade assigned by the instructor at the time the incomplete was submitted. Instructors may assign a final grade anytime within the time period specified above. In the event the instructor leaves the university, the Department Head may assign the final grade. An incomplete remains on the student’s permanent record and is accompanied by the final grade (i.e., I/A, I/B, I/C).
    
3. “Incomplete” Grades on Record at End of Final Term. A student cannot graduate with a grade of “Incomplete” on his or her record. At the end of the term in which the student will graduate, a grade of “Incomplete” in any course on that degree level (technology, undergraduate, graduate, etc.)  reverts to the grade that the instructor had specified on the incomplete grade submission form. Reverted grades are included in the computation of the student’s cumulative grade-point average at graduation. Nonetheless, a student who has graduated may make up the incomplete work  within the usual time limit in an effort to raise the grade on the permanent record.

Academic Standing

Some rules are necessary to determine academic standing and class ranking of enrolled students. The following rules apply to all students.

Academic Probation and Suspension

All students must maintain a 2.00 cumulative GPA to avoid being placed on academic probation. If during any semester a student’s cumulative GPA is less than 2.00, the student will be placed on academic probation. Students on academic probation will normally be limited to a maximum of 15 credits per semester while on probation. Freshmen students admitted to Montana Tech “at-risk” or students who are placed on probation are required to take MT 1016 - College Success . Transfer or returning students admitted on probation MAY be required to enroll in College Success.

To be removed from probation, a student must, during the probation period, meet the required standard minimum academic progress each semester (2.00) until the cumulative grade point average reaches the required level (2.00). If in any semester while on probation a student falls below the minimum standard for academic progress, the student will be academically suspended from the College.

Students suspended once for unsatisfactory scholarship must remain out of residence for one semester. Students suspended more than once will not be readmitted until after an interval of one year and must receive the approval of the Academic Standards Committee for readmission. A student readmitted after suspension is on probation until cumulative grade point requirements are met. The student may be required to take MT 1016 - College Success , and may be required to take specific classes as a condition of readmission.

Students suspended from the North Campus (undergraduate program) may be admissible to an appropriate program at Highlands College without remaining out of residence.

Petition Procedure for Academically Suspended Students

First Suspension: A student desiring authorization to re-enter the College after being suspended for the first time, who has not remained out of residence for a regular semester, must submit a written petition to the Academic Standards Committee through the Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

Write to: Academic Standards Committee, c/o Office of The Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, or bring the petition to the office on the third floor of the Mining Geology Building.

Multiple Suspensions: A student desiring authorization to re-enter the College after being suspended more than once must submit a written petition to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Normally, a student who has been suspended more than once must be out of residence for at least one year prior to submitting a petition. The Academic Standards Committee reviews all petitions for readmission.

Class Standing

Undergraduate Students (Seeking an Associate of Science or Bachelor’s Degree)

 In order to be classed in the Upper Division, a student must have earned at least 60 credit hours and have a grade point average of at least 2.00. Normally, only students in the Upper Division may register for junior and senior (3000 & 4000 level) courses.

Technical Level Students (Seeking a certificate or A.A.S. at Highlands College)

Academic Dishonesty

Acts of academic dishonesty or cheating include, but are not limited to:

1. Aiding another student. A student will be considered guilty of academic dishonesty if he/she willfully assists another student in any act of academic dishonesty. Such a person is as equally guilty as the person plagiarizing or copying.
2. Copying from the paper of another student while taking an examination. A student will be considered guilty of academic dishonesty if he or she deliberately looks at and copies from another individual’s examination paper during an examination.
3. Plagiarism. A student will be considered guilty of academic dishonesty if he/she submits a term paper, essay, speech, laboratory report, or other assignment in which all or part of the words or ideas are copied from the published or unpublished work of another individual without giving the original author proper credit for the words or ideas.
4. Unauthorized signatures.The use of a person’s signature without permission is a serious matter and the consequences can be severe. Possible consequences include:

a. Being dropped from the course by the instructor, department head, dean of the college, or the University.
b. Loss of tuition paid for the course.
c. University disciplinary action such as probation, suspension, expulsion, and correction of all course grades.
d. Loss of priority for the course or courses during registration.

5. Using unlawful aids to pass an examination. A student will be considered guilty of academic dishonesty if he/she brings to class and uses crib notes, electronic devices (e.g. cellphones) books, or any other material to assist him/her in passing the examination unless the instructor of the class has specifically given permission to use such materials.

Actions to be taken when cheating is discovered are as follows:

1. Instructors are responsible for taking reasonable precautions to prevent and discourage cheating in their classes and must report all cases to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Office.
2. If it is determined that a student is deliberately cheating on an examination or a written or oral assignment, he or she should receive a grade of “F” on that examination or assignment as a minimum penalty. The instructor may drop the student from the course with an “F” grade.
3. In reported cases of repeated cheating, the Academic Standards Committee may consider applying additional penalties beyond those imposed by the individual instructors, including expulsion.

Any student who thinks that he or she has received unfair treatment in regards to cheating should request a hearing with the Disciplinary Appeals Committee not later than one school week after notification of the action taken by the instructor or by the Academic Standards Committee.

Change of Enrollment

Change of Enrollment - Adds/Drops/Withdrawal from College

All changes of enrollment (adding a class, dropping a class or withdrawing from college) must be recorded with the Enrollment Services Office. If such changes are not recorded with the Enrollment Services Office, the student will receive F grades in those courses. Students may add courses through the 10^th instructional day with the approval of the instructor and their academic advisor. Students may also withdraw from classes during the first 15 days of classes and such withdrawals will not appear on their transcript. Students may withdraw from any class after the 15^th day and through the 45^th day of classes and receive an automatic W in the subject. References to the 10^th, 15^th and 45^th instructional day refer to a traditional 75-instructional-day semester. A shorter but equivalent timeline is used for shorter instructional terms (summer school and short courses). Students are responsible for fee payment for even a partial term of attendance, and should refer to the refund policy in this catalog or the Class Schedule.

Withdrawal from Individual Classes Through the 45^th Instructional Day

If a student withdraws from a class through the 15^th day of classes, the class does not appear on the student’s transcript. A student who withdraws from a class from the 16^th through the 45^th instructional day will automatically receive a grade of W (withdrawal) in that class. Thereafter, through the last instructional day of a semester, a grade of F will be assigned in all courses from which the student withdraws, unless it is determined that the withdrawal is for “extraordinary reasons.”

Withdrawal From All Classes Through the 45^th Instructional Day

A student may request complete withdrawal from all classes by obtaining and completing a Request for Complete Withdrawal From College form, available at the Enrollment Services Office. If a student withdraws from all classes by the 15^th day of classes, the term of attendance does not appear on the student’s transcript. If a student withdraws from all classes from the 16^th through the 45^th day of classes, he or she will automatically receive a grade of W in all enrolled classes. Thereafter, through the last instructional day of a semester, a grade of F will be assigned in all courses from which the student withdraws, unless it is determined that the withdrawal is for “extraordinary reasons” (see below). Complete withdrawal through the 45^th instructional day requires clearance from the following:

1. Academic Advisor
2. Counseling Office
3. Financial Aid Office
4. Library
5. Business Office

Instructors will record a student’s last date of attendance on the form. After receipt of the completed form in the Enrollment Services Office, the student will be notified of the action taken by the Director of Enrollment Management.

Complete or Partial Withdrawal for Extraordinary Reasons (After the 45^th Instructional Day)

A student may request withdrawal from a portion of, or his or her entire academic course load after the 45^th instructional day by obtaining and completing the Request for Withdrawal After the 45^th Instructional Day” form. Withdrawal after the 45^th instructional day is termed “for extraordinary reasons.” Extraordinary reasons can include: extended illness or hospitalization documented by doctor’s excuse, or job transfer documented by employer. If it is determined that extraordinary reasons exist, and the instructor(s) concur, the student will receive a grade of W in those courses from which he or she has requested withdrawal. Determination of extraordinary reasons for withdrawal requires:

1. Completion and submission of the Request for Complete or Partial Withdrawal After the 45^th Instructional Day” form to the Enrollment Services Office, along with documentation of the extraordinary reasons.
2. Recommendation of approval for a grade of W from:
   
   1. The instructor of each course from which the student requests withdrawal;
   2. The student’s academic advisor;
   3. The Department Head of the student’s major, and
   4. The Director of Enrollment Management.

Additionally, signatures will be required from the Student Life Office, the Business Office, and the Financial Aid Office. After receipt of the completed form, the student will be notified by the Enrollment Services Office as to the determination of the request.

Degree Requirements (Undergraduate, Technical)

Catalog in Effect for Purposes of Meeting Degree Requirements

All degree candidates must meet the degree requirements listed in the Montana Tech Undergraduate Catalog in effect when they first entered the College or any subsequent undergraduate catalog that is in effect up to graduation, provided there has not been a break in attendance of the academic school year (excluding summer school, Internship enrollment, and field course work). Students who desire to receive a certificate or a degree must file the appropriate Application for Degree with the Enrollment Services Office no later than the Monday before finals week the semester prior to the term in which they expect to complete their certificate or degree requirements. See the yearly academic calendar for specific dates.

Baccalaureate Degrees

The following are the requirements for a baccalaureate degree at MT Tech:

Bachelor of Science Degree

1. The student must meet all the requirements of one of the curricula listed for the Bachelor of Science degree. Students can choose to complete the degree requirements in the catalog they enter under or any subsequent catalog published while they are continuously enrolled, but they must complete those requirements within six years from the date of the chosen catalog.
2. At least 50% of the student’s upper division (3000/4000 level classes) credits must be completed through Montana Tech, including any Senior Design/Capstone course work required for the degree.
3. The student must achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 on all course work attempted (with repeats counted as indicated previously) as well as on all course work in the departmental major. No course below a “C-” will transfer or be acceptable toward degree requirements.

Bachelor of Applied Science Degree

In May 1996, the Board of Regents authorized Montana Tech to award the Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) Degree. The BAS Degree is primarily designed for students who have earned an Associate of Applied Science Degree at a two-year institution and wish to move efficiently into a baccalaureate degree program. The BAS degree allows the transfer of the Associate of Applied Science Degree and credits toward a baccalaureate degree without significant loss of time or credit. Depending upon the program chosen, a student may transfer up to 60 credits (AAS transfer) toward this innovative degree. The Bachelor of Applied Science Degree is available in Business, Biology, and General Science.

Formal admission into the BAS program at Montana Tech requires the completion of an Associate of Applied Science degree not later than the first year of attendance at Montana Tech. In order to receive the BAS degree, students must complete the general education core, as defined in this catalog. In addition to completion of the general education requirements, the designated tracks required for the BAS degree in business, and biology, each require a minimum of 39 upper division credits and 18-28 credits in the specified track support area. The support area credits may be counted towards the upper division credit total. If students have completed parts of the general education core in the AAS program, then additional credits would be required within each track. Minimum credits required for a Bachelor of Applied Science Degree = 120.

Second Baccalaureate Degree

1. Montana Tech recognizes the first baccalaureate degree as having met the general education and skill requirements of the college.
2. The course stipulations of the major for the second degree, including necessary prerequisites, as defined by the department, must be met.
3. A person who earned his or her first degree at Montana Tech must complete at least 15 additional upper division credits in residence at Tech, including any Senior Design/Capstone course work required for the degree. A person who earned his or her first baccalaureate degree elsewhere  must complete at least, 50% of his or her upper division (3000/4000 level classes) credits through Montana Tech, including any Senior Design/Capstone course work required for the degree.
4. The student must notify the Enrollment Services Office and the heads of the respective academic departments in writing of his or her intent to pursue a second degree at least a full semester prior to receipt of the degree.
5. The student must achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 on all course work attempted (with repeats counted as indicated previously) as well as on all course work in the department. No course below a “C-” will transfer or be acceptable toward degree requirements.

Policy for Second Option within a Baccalaureate Degree

1. The college recognizes that students may wish to pursue more than one option in degree programs that offer more than one option within their degree.
2. The course stipulations for the second option, including necessary prerequisites, as defined by the department and the Director of Enrollment Management, must be met.
3. The student must notify in writing the Director of Enrollment Management and head of the academic department of his or her intent to pursue a second option within his or her degree. This must be done at least one semester prior to scheduled completion of the degree/options.

Associate of Science Degree

Requirements for an Associate of Science degree follow:

1. Completion of the Undergraduate General Education Core (30 - 31 credits). Exception: Associate of Science RN Nursing Students must complete 18 specific credits from the General Education Core.
2. The remaining elective credits must reflect an approved undergraduate academic program and/or the FESP courses and recommended “Foundation Courses” on page 28. 
3. The student must achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 for undergraduate level academic work attempted at Montana Tech. No course below a “C-” will transfer or be acceptable toward degree requirements.
4. An Associate of Science degree requires a minimum of 60 earned semester credits.
5. At least 30 semester credits must be earned at the College, and the student must be enrolled during the year in which the degree is awarded.
6. Students who desire to receive the Associate of Science Degree must file an Application for Associate of Science Degree with the Enrollment Services Office no later than the Friday before finals week the semester prior to the term in which they expect to complete their certificate or degree requirements. See the yearly academic calendar for specific dates.
7. Students may not apply for an Associate Degree in the same academic year in which a Bachelor’s Degree is to be received.

Certificate of Applied Science & Associate of Applied Science Degree

Students must complete all required courses within their specified program in order to receive an Associate of Applied Science Degree or a Certificate of Applied Science. A majority of credits must be completed at Montana Tech. Certificates and AAS degrees require courses in English, Math, and human relations. AAS degrees require a minimum of 12 related general education credits.

Policy for Second AAS Degree

1. The college recognizes the first Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree as having met the college’s general education requirements and skill requirements at the AAS level.
2. The course stipulations for the second degree, including necessary prerequisites, as defined by the department and the Director of Enrollment Management must be met.
3. A person who earned his or her first Associate of Applied Science degree at Montana Tech must take a minimum of 15 semester hours in residence. A person who earned his or her first AAS elsewhere must earn at least 25% of the credits toward the AAS degree at Montana Tech.
4. The student must notify the Enrollment Services Office and the heads of the respective academic departments in writing of his or her intent to pursue a second degree at least one semester prior to scheduled completion of the degree.

Policy for Second Option within an AAS Degree

1. The college recognizes that students may wish to pursue more than one option in degree programs that offer more than one option within their degree.
2. The course stipulations for the second option, including necessary prerequisites as defined by the department & the Director of Enrollment Management, must be met.
3. The student must notify in writing the Enrollment Services Office and head of the academic department of his or her intent to pursue a second option within his or her degree. This must be done at least one semester prior to scheduled completion of the degree/options.

Policy for a Second Certificate of Applied Science

1. The college recognizes the first certificate as having met the college’s skill requirements at the certificate level.
2. The course stipulations for the second certificate, including necessary prerequisites, as defined by the department and the Director of Enrollment Management must be met.
3. A person who earned his or her first certificate at Montana Tech must take a minimum of 12 semester hours in residence. A person who earned his or her first certificate elsewhere must earn at least 25% of the credits toward the Montana Tech certificate at Montana Tech.
4. The student must notify the Office of Enrollment Service and heads of the respective academic departments in writing of his or her intent to pursue a second certificate at least one semester prior to scheduled completion of the certificate(s).

Certificate and Advanced Certificate of Completion

Completion of specific course work in certain programs will result in the student earning a Certificate or Advanced Certificate of Completion. These credentials are available in the following programs:

Preapprentice Line Program (Certificate of Completion)
Practical Nursing (Certificate available at 50 credit exit point. See Nursing  section of this catalog)
Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Advanced Certificate of Completion)

Graduation with Honor or High Honor

• Honor: 3.25 - 3.74 cumulative GPA
• High Honor: 3.75 - 4.00 cumulative GPA

Transfer credit and transfer grades are not considered in determining honor/high honor. Only MT Tech course work is considered. A combined cumulative GPA will be used for students in combined B.S. & A.A.S. programs (i.e., HCI). No honor/high honor is designated for Graduate Students or for certificates.

Minimum Earned Credit Hours for Honor or High Honor Designation:
Student must earn a minimum of 51% of his or her credits at Montana Tech in order to graduate with honor or high honor, and only Montana Tech courses will count toward the designation.

For the Commencement ceremony, graduation honors for students completing their degree requirements in spring semester are based on the cumulative GPA from fall semester. Honors are indicated on the commencement program, and graduates receive an honors cord to be worn during  commencement exercises.

Valedictorian

The designated Valedictorian of the graduating class is a student who was admitted as a first-time freshman; has earned ALL of his or her credits at Montana Tech, excluding AP Credit and early admit credit (which is factored into the overall GPA for determination of the award); and graduates with  the highest grade point average.

Diplomas

Degrees are conferred at the end of summer, fall, and spring terms. Commencement is usually the first or second Saturday in May. Diplomas and Certificates of Completion are mailed to students approximately eight to ten weeks following commencement. Transcripts indicating completion of a degree or certificate are generally available three weeks following the end of a semester.

Academic Minor

Baccalaureate degree-seeking students may elect to complete one or more minors in fields outside their major. Minors may be in fields unrelated to students’ majors or they may be complementary or supportive of majors. A student may not take a minor in the same field of study as his or her major. The appropriate Application for a Minor must be submitted to the Enrollment Services Office along with a student’s Application for Degree. Students should work with their advisor early in their academic career if they intend to pursue a minor.

Minors are available in the following areas: Biology, Business Administration (Finance or Accounting), Chemistry, Computer Science, Extractive Metallurgy, Geophysics, Hydrogeology, Liberal Studies, Mathematics, Mineral Processing Engineering, Occupational Safety & Health, Physics, and  Professional & Technical Communication, and Statistics. Courses completed to satisfy the requirements of a minor also may be applied toward the General Education Requirements if they appear on the list of approved courses at the time they are taken.

Credits and GPA Required for a Minor

Students must earn the number of credits required for an approved minor as listed in this catalog while completing or after having completed a baccalaureate degree from Montana Tech. A minimum of six of the credits required for a specific minor must be earned at Montana Tech (individual   departments may have more stringent requirements), and a “C” average (2.0) or better is required for the course work taken to earn the minor. If a course is failed then the minor will not be granted.

Any course work over six years old used to meet requirements for a minor is subject to approval by the department offering the minor.

See more information regarding minors in the Academic Program Minors  section.

Master’s Degree

For information on Master’s Degree requirements, see the  ”Graduate School ”  section.

Transcript of Academic Record

A permanent record of academic information is termed a “transcript.” The Director of Enrollment Management is responsible for the maintenance of accurate and readily available student academic records, and for the use and release of information from these records. Transcripts of a student’s  permanent academic record are issued by the College only upon the written request or consent (letter or fax with student’s signature) of the student for personal use or to be sent to designated persons.

Transcripts and honorable dismissal (including release of diploma) will be given only to students who have met all financial obligations to the Institution. All official transcripts are issued at $3.00 each. An additional $3.00 is charged to fax a transcript. See our web site at  www.mtech.edu/registrar for information regarding ordering a transcript by using the internet. Student information will be released only as authorized by state and federal laws, or by the individual (see next section)

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Definitions

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), as amended, and Montana law, set forth requirements designed to protect the privacy of student educational records. These laws govern access to records maintained by The Montana University System (MUS) and the release of information from those records. A notice to students that explains the rights of students with respect to records maintained by The University of Montana (UM) is provided yearly via the UM Catalog, as well at the beginning of each semester via students’ official campus email addresses It also outlines Montana Tech’s procedures adopted to comply with these legal requirements.

*See 3 Janury 2012 special notice from the U.S. Department o f Education at the bottom of this page.

For the purposes of this policy, Montana Tech uses the following definitions of terms:

Student - any person who attends or has attended Montana Tech

Education records - any record (in handwriting, print, tapes, film, or other medium) maintained by Montana Tech or an agent of the university which is directly related to a student, except:

1. A personal record kept by a staff member if it is kept in the sole possession of the maker of the record and is not accessible or revealed to any other person except a temporary substitute for the maker of the record.
2. An employment record of an individual whose employment is not contingent on the fact that he or she is a student, provided the record is used only in relation to the individual’s employment.
3. Records maintained by the Office of The Commissioner of Higher Education if the record is maintained solely for law enforcement purposes, is revealed only to law enforcement agencies of the same jurisdiction, and the Unit does not have access to education records maintained by the institution.
4. Records maintained by the Student Health Center if the records are used only for treatment of a student and made available only to those persons providing the treatment.
5. Alumni records which contain information about a student after he or she is no longer in attendance at the institution, and which do not relate to the person as a student.

Locations of Education Records

Following is a list of the types, locations and custodians of education records maintained by Montana Tech.

1. Cumulative academic records and academic progress records: Enrollment Services Office (MG 207). Custodian: Director of Enrollment Management.
2. Financial Aid records: Enrollment Processing (MG 111). Custodian: Dir. Financial Aid.
3. Financial records (charges, payments, etc.): Business Office (MG 205). Custodian: Controller.
4. Health records: Health Center (SUB 111). Custodian: Nurse.
5. Career Services records: Eng. 102A. Custodian: Dir. Career Services. 

Procedure to Inspect Education Records

Students may inspect and review their education records upon request to the appropriate record custodian. Students should submit to the record custodian a written request identifying as precisely as possible the record or records he or she wishes to inspect.

The record custodian will make the needed arrangements for access as promptly as possible and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. Access will be given within 45 days of the receipt of the request. When a record contains information about more than one student, the student may inspect and review only the records that relate to him or her.

Right of the Institution to Refuse Access

Montana Tech reserves the right to refuse to permit a student to inspect the following records:

1. The financial statement of the student’s parents.
2. Letters and statements of recommendation for which the student has waived right of access, or which were placed in file before January 1, 1975.
3. Records connected with an application to attend Montana Tech or a component unit of Montana Tech if that application was denied.
4. Those records, which are excluded from the FERPA definition of education records.

Refusal to Provide Copies

Montana Tech reserves the right to deny transcripts or copies of records not required to be made available by the FERPA in either of the following situations:

1. The student has an unpaid financial obligation to the Institution.
2. There is an unresolved disciplinary action against the student.

Fees for Copies of Records

The fee for copies of educational records other than transcripts is $0.50 per page. The fee for a transcript is $3.00.

Record of Requests for Disclosure

Montana Tech will maintain a record of all requests for and/ or disclosure of information from a student’s education records. The record will indicate the name of the party making the request, any additional party to whom it may be re-disclosed, and the legitimate interest of the party in requesting or obtaining the information. The record may be reviewed by the eligible student only.

Directory Information

Montana Tech has designated the following items as Directory Information: student name, address (including campus e-mail address), telephone number, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of  attendance, degrees and awards received, most recent previous school attended, and photograph. Except as noted in item 1. below, class rosters for electronically mediated (Moodle) classes will NOT be released, except to students enrolled in that specific class. Students may request that their name be blocked from the electronic class roster in the “personal information” settings in Moodle. The Institution may disclose any of those items without prior written consent, unless notified in writing to the contrary by the end of the second week of a semester. A non-disclosure of  information form for this purpose is available from the Enrollment Services Office. Directory information will then be withheld indefinitely until the Enrollment Services Office receives in writing a revocation of the request for non-disclosure.

Disclosure of Education Records

Montana Tech will disclose information from a student’s education records only with the written consent of the student, except:

1. To school officials who have a legitimate educational interest in the records.A school official is: a person employed by the institution in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position; a person elected to the board of trustees; or a person employed by or under contract to the Institution to perform a special task, such as an attorney or auditor. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official is: Performing a task that is specified in his or her position description or by a contract agreement; performing a task related to a student’s education; or performing a task related to the discipline of a student.
2. To officials of another school, upon request, in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
3. To certain officials or representatives of the U.S. Attorney General’s Office, U.S. Department of Education, the Comptroller General, Veteran’s Administration Officials, and State and local educational authorities, in connection with certain state or federally supported education programs.  *See 3 Janury 2012 special notice from the U.S. Department o f Education at the bottom of this page.
4. In connection with a student’s request for or receipt of financial aid, as necessary to determine the eligibility, amount or conditions of the financial aid, or to enforce the terms and conditions of the aid.
5. If required by a State law requiring disclosure that was adopted before November 19, 1974.
6. To organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the university.
7. To accrediting organizations to carry out their functions.
8. To parents of an eligible student who claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes. Note that Montana Law supersedes FERPA, and that student information WILL NOT be given to a parent without the student’s written permission.
9. To comply with a judicial order or a lawfully issued subpoena.
10. To appropriate parties in a health or safety emergency.
11. To a victim of an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or non-forcible sex offense, and the public, in connection with the final results of an institutional disciplinary proceeding.
12. To parents regarding the student’s violation of any federal, state, or local law, or of any institutional policy or rule governing the use of alcohol or a controlled substance if 1) the institution has determined that the student has committed a disciplinary violation with respect to that use or  possession; and 2) the student is under the age if 21 at the time of the disclosure to the present. This item does not supersede any state law that prohibits an institution from disclosing this information.

Correction of Education Records

Students have the right to ask to have records corrected that they believe are inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of their privacy rights. Following are the procedures for the correction of records:

1. A student must ask the office responsible for the record to amend a record. In so doing, the student should identify the part of the record he/ she believes is inaccurate, misleading or in violation of his or her privacy or other rights.
2. The institution may comply with the request or it may decide not to comply. If it decides not to comply, the custodian of the record will notify the student of the decision and advise him/her of the student’s right to a hearing to challenge the information believed to be inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the student’s rights.
3. Upon request, Montana Tech will arrange for a hearing, and notify the student, reasonably in advance, of the date, place, and time of hearing.
4. A hearing officer who is a disinterested party will conduct the hearing; however, the hearing officer may be an official of the institution. The student shall be afforded a full and fair opportunity to present evidence relevant to the issues raised in the original request to amend the student’s education records. One or more individuals may assist the student, including an attorney.
5. Montana Tech will prepare a written decision based solely on the evidence presented at the hearing. The decision will include a summary of the evidence presented and the reasons for the decision.
6. If the institution decides that the challenged information is not inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the student’s right of privacy, it will notify the student that he or she has a right to place in the record a statement commenting on the challenged information and/or a statement setting forth reasons for disagreeing with the decision.
7. The statement will be maintained as part of the student’s education records as long as the contested portion is maintained. If Montana Tech discloses the contested portion of the record, it must also disclose the statement.
8. If the institution decides that the information is inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the student’s right of privacy, it will amend the record and notify the student in writing that the record has been amended.

The necessity for keeping abreast of rapid changes in engineering, science, technology, education and other broad academic areas frequently demands adjustments in curricular requirements. When this occurs, every effort will be made to apply reasonable flexibility to avoid imposing undue  hardship on students.

Procedure to Authorize Disclosure of Non-Directory Information to a Third Party

A student who wishes to disclose to a third party information normally considered “restricted” may do so by obtaining from, completing and returning the proper form to the Enrollment Services Office.

*FERPA Annual Notice to Reflect Possible Federal and State Data Collection and Use

As of January 3, 2012, the U.S. Department of Education’s FERPA regulations expand the circumstances under which your education records and personally identifiable information (PII) contained in such records — including your Social Security Number, grades, or other private information — may be accessed without your consent. First, the U.S. Comptroller General, the U.S. Attorney General, the U.S. Secretary of Education, or state and local education authorities (“Federal and State Authorities”) may allow access to your records and PII without your consent to any third party designated by a Federal or State Authority to evaluate a federal- or state-supported education program. The evaluation may relate to any program that is “principally engaged in the provision of education,” such as early childhood education and job training, as well as any program that is administered by an education agency or institution. Second, Federal and State Authorities may allow access to your education records and PII without your consent to researchers performing certain types of studies, in certain cases even when we object to or do not request such research. Federal and State Authorities must obtain certain use-restriction and data security promises from the entities that they authorize to receive your PII, but the Authorities need not maintain direct control over such entities. In addition, in connection with Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems, State Authorities may collect, compile, permanently retain, and share without your consent PII from your education records, and they may track your participation in education and other programs by linking such PII to other personal information about you that they obtain from other Federal or State data sources, including workforce development, unemployment insurance, child welfare, juvenile justice, military service, and migrant student records systems.