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Academic Advisor

A staff member who provides advice and guidance to students on academic matters

Academic College

Montana State University is broken into nine academic colleges. Each college has a focus on a specific field of study.

The nine academic colleges at MSU are: College of Agriculture, College of Arts and Architecture, Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship, College of Education, Health and Human Development, Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering, College of Letters and Science, College of Nursing, and Gallatin College.

ASMSU

Also known as the Associated Students of Montana State University, it is the student government on campus.

AYCSS

Also known as the Allen Yarnell Center for Student Success.

An office on campus that is located in the SUB and offers services such as financial education, career coaching, and Smarty Cats Tutoring

Bounty of the Bridgers

Often shortened to BoB, this is the food pantry that is on campus and provides supplemental and emergency food assistance to students at no cost.

Canvas

The online platform that students will log into to see their classes, syllabi, assignments, grades, and any additional materials their professor wants them to see and use that semester. 

Cat Course

A platform that you will use to create your schedule for the following semester. Cat Course can be found by navigating to the registration portion under the Student Services tab on MyInfo.

Cat $cholarships

An online database and application platform for scholarships specific for Montana State University students. 

ChampChange

An incentive points program for students to attend events, activities, and services offered on campus. Points can be collected throughout the semester and then used to purchase or win prizes from AYCSS.

Commencement

A ceremony where diplomas are given to graduating students. AKA Graduation.

Confirming your Bill

A process where students pay their bill and accept the charges for their semester. All students must take some kind of action to be confirmed by the 15th day of classes each semester to avoid possible cancellation of classes and an additional $40 late fee. This can be done through the student records, electronic billing and payment section under the student services tab in MyInfo.

Core Requirements

Required courses that must be completed to earn a degree, regardless of major

Course Load

The amount of classes a student is taking in an academic term (semester, 6-week, 4-by-4, etc.)

Dean of a College

The person who is the head of a college or department on campus.

Dean of Students

The Dean of Students is the person who oversees student affairs and student life. They serve as the primary contact for students who have concerns or needs that are not academically focused.

Electives

Courses that students can choose to take, but aren't required for a degree. (Some degrees require a certain amount of electives to graduate)

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

Students need to complete the FAFSAto be eligible for federal student aid such as federal grants, work-study funds, and loans. Completing and submitting the FAFSA form is free and easier than ever, and it gives students access to the largest source of aid to help pay for college or career school.

Hire a Bobcat

A website that allows students to explore various job postings, including on campus job opportunities and internships.

"I" Grade

Stands for "Incomplete"

Grade when you have completed 75% or more of a class, but external circumstances prevent you from completing the course. "I" Grades give you until the end of the following semester (unless a different deadline is discussed with your professor) to complete remaining course materials.

Internship

An experience that allows students to work in a professional environment to gain training and skills and earn college credit. May be paid or unpaid.

Major

A major is a student's primary area of study and what they will eventually recieve their degree in. 

Matriculate

To enroll in a program of study with the intention of earning a degree

Midterm Exam

An exam that is halfway through the school-year that can go over all content up until that point.

Minor

A minor is a secondary area of academic interest for students. Having a minor may allow students to deepen their knowledge of a different field of study without having to major in it.

MSU Debut

A series of events that equips students for a successful transition to Montana State University, empowers them to contribute to the Bobcat community, and fosters inclusion, integrity, and belonging.

MyInfo

A go-to site for Financial Aid information, paying your bill, registering for classes and much more. My Info is also where students will Accept their Financial Aid Award and view any unsatisfied requirements in their My Eligibility section.

navMSU

A smartphone app and online platform that helps you navigate your college experience. It allows students to stay organized and connected on important tasks like scheduling meetings with advisors so they can register for classes, or get notifications and to-do lists to avoid missing deadlines. 

Office Hours

Time set aside by instructors to be available to students

Orientation

A program that students attend before their first day at MSU and is designed to provide academic advising, introduce students to their degree requirements, aid students in course registration and prepare them to join the Bobcat family. These programs typically take place in the summer months and last two days.

Pass-Fail

A grading system where students either recieve a "pass" grade or "fail" grade, rather than a letter grade.

Provost

The senior academic officer who oversees all academic policies and curriculum-related matters

Registrar

The official who is responsible for registering students and keeping their academic records

Registration

The process where students choose and enroll in classes for the following semester.

Seminar

A course offered to a small number of students who talk about specialized topics.

Smarty Cats

The tutoring service available to students on campus.

Spirit of the West

Also known as SotW, this is the marching band on campus.

Streamline

A bus service in Bozeman that offers zero-fare public transportation services throughout the Gallatin Valley. Streamline operates four in-town routes in Bozeman and there is a stop that is located right on campus.

SUB

Also known as the Strand Union Building.

A building on campus that houses many student support offices, large event spaces, the recreation room, and food options.

Syllabus

A document that outlines all the essential information about a college course such as grading scale, topics, assignments, exam dates, and office hours

TA (Teaching Assistant)

A student who assists a professor with teaching a course

Transcript

An official record of a student's coursework and grades. Official transcripts must be requested

Transfer Credit

Credit that was taken at another college or university that have been transferred to your new institution

"W" Grade

Stands for "Withdraw"

A grade that indicates that a student dropped a course after the add/drop period. This grade does not affect your GPA or penalize you academically

Withdraw

To formally stop participating in a course or attending university. To withdraw at MSU, you must contact your academic advisor.

Work Study

A financial aid program that allows students to work part-time on campus