2023 Best Online Community Colleges in Montana

Great Falls College Montana State University (GFC MSU) is a two-year, public institution with a graduation rate of 34% and an open admission policy, which means everyone who applies is accepted. GFC was founded in 1969 as a vocational technical center and became affiliated with MSU in July of 1994. The university offers online associate degrees, certificate programs, and transfer paths. Popular fields of study include accounting, computer programming, and office management. These online degree programs typically take two years to complete, consisting of 60 credit hours. For those who already have an associate degree and want to complete a bachelor’s degree online, GFC MSU offers several transfer paths, including education, fine arts and humanities, and science, math, and engineering.

At GFC MSU, students use Brightspace to access their coursework, which is fully online and asynchronous. Online students have access to the digital library, tutoring services, and academic advising. GFC’s online courses include recorded lectures, discussion boards, among other resources. Students can expect to log into Brightspace 3-4 times a week to complete assignments and participate in online courses. GFC MSU believes in offering a similar experience to in-person classes, with the flexibility of online learning.

Miles Community College (MilesCC) is a public institution founded in 1939. The community college offers online associate degrees and certificate programs. Some of the online associate degree programs offered at MilesCC include an Associate of Arts in Human & Social Services, an Associate of Applied Sciences in Small Business Management, and an Associate of Arts in General Studies.

At MilesCC, online students complete coursework asynchronously and synchronously on Canvas. The community college uses distance learning courses and interactive television (ITV) to deliver online associate degree programs. ITV requires distance learners to attend specific locations with an ITV studio to participate in class. Online student support services at MilesCC include tutoring, disability services, career services, counseling services, a bookstore, and a library.

Dawson Community College (DCC) is a public university located in Glendive, Montana. DCC Online is a two-year college, so they mostly offer associate degrees online. These programs require 60 credit hours, take about two years to complete, and include fields like business management, early childhood education, and chemical dependency counseling. Along with their own online courses, DCC is partnered with the Colorado Community College system (CCCOnline) to offer more opportunities to students in both Montana and Colorado. It has a 100% acceptance rate and a 33% graduation rate.

At DCC, students use Moodle for DCC courses and Brightspace for CCCOnline courses. DCC Online’s courses may last 15 weeks or 10 weeks, but there are also accelerated six-week sessions. The school is committed to making it convenient for students to earn their degree online. Courses are typically asynchronous and online, but some may require in-person tests or practical hours. DCC offers online students tutoring services, academic advising, and access to the digital library. In addition to academic resources, DCC Online emphasizes the importance of mental health and offers a mental health hotline, an LGBTQ+ crisis support line, and a domestic and sexual violence hotline, along with other non-academic resources.