Language Rejuvenation and Maintenance

Academic Eligibility

First-year students: To be eligible for admission, freshman students must have met/be on track to meet all upper/senior secondary school requirements with the equivalent of a 2.5 GPA to be automatically considered for admission to undergraduate programs.

Transfer students: Transfer students must have graduated from secondary school and completed at least 12 university-level credits (1 semester) with the equivalent of a 2.0 GPA.

UM Undergraduate Admissions uses a 4.0 unweighted scale to determine GPA. If your school does not calculate GPA, we will calculate it for you when we evaluate your academic records. 

Documents for Admission

Secondary school students/graduates: Please submit academic transcripts/mark sheets for grades 9-12 and secondary school leaving certificates, exam results or diplomas showing secondary school completion (if applicable)

Students who have completed at least one semester (12 U.S. credits) of university or post-secondary study: university transcript/mark sheets/exam results listing all courses, grades and credits/hours and diplomas/graduation certificates (if applicable). Students who qualify for transfer do not need to submit secondary school documents.

English translations: All documents not originally issued in English must also be accompanied by word-for-word English translations. You, the applicant, can make the translations yourself.

Admission consideration for international applicants can proceed with unofficial documents. Unofficial documents are photocopies or scans of original academic documents submitted to University of Montana directly by you, the student. Unofficial documents can be uploaded to your admission portal.

Experiential learning in the Native American studies degree

There's no better way to learn the life and ways of Native American tribes than through hands-on education. Experiential learning plays an important part in the Native American studies degree program – from robust internships for pay or credit, to event planning and beading classes.

Internships for Native American studies majors

Earn credits through internships as a Native American studies major. Many of our students engage in paid or volunteer work for museums and nonprofits. In recent years, students have also taken advantage of our internship option to work with other university units, such as the Mansfield Library, to increase their job skills while earning academic credit.

We also offer unique course opportunities – including a two-semester sequence in Blackfoot language, a course in Native American documentary film, an event-planning course in which students plan and produce the highly anticipated Kyiyo Pow Wow at UM each spring, and a Native Sports and Games course that combines classroom learning with outdoor athletic competition.

Sovereignty and contemporary issues courses also prepare students for careers serving the needs of tribal communities in Montana and elsewhere.

Career development in the Native American studies major

Our students appreciate the high-quality, intellectually stimulating education we provide, as well as the personal guidance they receive from their professors and the department staff. When they graduate, they feel ready to pursue their goals with confidence.  

Five core faculty members teach the majority of our courses, without relying on teaching assistants or separate graders, which adds a personal touch to our major that many university departments lack.

Scholarships for Native American majors

To help Native and non-Native Native American students reach their educational goals, UM offers scholarships each year in various University of Montana -Missoula and Missoula College majors, including Native American studies.

Native American studies oversees the awarding of $150,000 per year in scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students, both incoming and continuing students. In 2022-23 we awarded 45 scholarships to students.  

Learn more about scholarship opportunities for Native American studies majors.

1. Complete an online application
2. Pay the application fee
3. Submit required application documents

• English language proficiency requirements
• Academic records
• Financial information
• Copy of passport
• Transfer form (for transfer students only) 

You can also download our International Admissions Checklist to help you submit all required materials.