Other Educational Options
- Certificate Programs — Certification is available in a wide range of areas including cosmetology, truck driving, welding and massage therapy, and usually require between six months and a year in training for a student to acquire. Students interested in obtaining a certification should check with professional technical schools and colleges of technology to obtain a complete list of programs.
- Apprenticeships — Apprenticeships are an option for students who want to obtain practical, on-the-job training combined with related academic instruction. Generally, apprenticeships last between two and five years, during which time the apprentice draws a salary. For more information about apprenticeships, students should contact the Montana Department of Labor and Industry at (406) 444-3998.
- Military service — Students can receive training in a wide variety of skills by joining the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force or Coast Guard full time. In addition, part-time activity in the military is available through the Reserves and National Guard. For more information, go to www.military.com.
- Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) — This is a college-based, officer commissioning program designed as a college elective that focuses on leadership development, problem solving, strategic planning and professional ethics. Merit-based scholarships are available to ROTC students — often they cover a significant portion of college tuition.
- Service Academies — These programs are considered to be among the best deals in higher education in that tuition, books, room and board, medical and dental expenses are paid in full for the four years a student is enrolled. Students graduate with a bachelor of science degree and a leadership job as a junior officer in the military. Competition for these programs is fierce, and graduates are obligated to serve in the military for a minimum of five years.
- Online classes — Online classes are an option for students who are self-starters, well organized and comfortable using e-mail and computers at the level necessary to learn online. In addition, students must be able to devote between 4 to 6 hours a week per class to learning and completing homework assignments. Students should check with the institution from which they are interested in obtaining a certificate or degree to see if online classes are an available option. Also, students can gauge their aptitude for online learning by taking the Montana State Extended University interactive quiz.
- AmeriCorps — This is a network of local, state and national service programs that serves more than 2,000 nonprofits, public agencies and faith-based organizations. Full-time members of AmeriCorps who complete their service earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $4,725 to pay for college, graduate school or to pay back qualified student loans. Students may serve in a variety of areas including tutoring, improving health services, helping communities respond to disasters and more. To learn more about AmeriCorps, visit www.americorps.org.