Steps to Get Started

  • If you haven’t already, setup your NetID and Password.
  • Login to MyInfo. 
  • You will not be able to register until you clear all holds:
    • Students in 100% online programs should not have an immunization hold. However, if you see one, contact Student Health Services at 406-994-2311 and explain that you are a 100% online student.
    • At some point (typically early Fall) you will be required to complete the Alcohol Edu and Sexual Assault Prevention (Haven) courses. If you do not complete them on time, a hold may be placed on your account. This requirement cannot be waived.
    • If you were admitted on a conditional basis, you may have holds related to that. This will be specified in your decision letter.

Register for Classes

  • Please see the registration timeline for when students can register. Make note of the add / drop dates, as well.
  • Use the Schedule of Classes to find course information; or contact your advisor.
  • For your first semester, your Alternate / Advisor PIN is 423185. In future semesters, the Department of Education Grad Coordinator will send you your pin a few days before registration opens.

Instructions on how to Register for Classes

  1. Go to www.montana.edu and click on “My Info.” If you do not see "MyInfo" along the top bar- to the right of the MSU logo, select the "students" option in the upper left side of your screen.
  2. Click on “Log into MyInfo.”
  3. FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS at the top of the MyInfo page! 
  4. Once logged in, select the "Student Services Tab"
  5. Click on “Registration.”
  6. Click on "Select Term" and verify that your term of admission is selected; then click "Submit."
  7. Click on “Add/Drop Classes.”
  8. Click on “Select Term” and select appropriate term.
  9. Enter your Alternate / Advisor PIN (see above). 
  10. If necessary, find your course(s) by clicking on “Class Search.” Add the course(s) to your class schedule by entering the 5-digit Course Registration Number (CRN). 
  11. Recheck your registration for accuracy by clicking on “Student Detail Schedule.”

Check Your Bill

  • Bills must be paid or confirmed no later than the 15th day of class to avoid being dropped for non-payment. Login to MyInfo and go to Electronic Bill & Payment.
  • If you do not see a bill right away, do not panic. For fall semester, the Student Accounts office generates bills in mid-July. Other semesters may follow a similar pattern. 
  • Before paying / confirming your bill, please check for the following:
    • You may have a charge for an ID / CatCard. This can be removed by contacting the CatCard office and explaining you are a 100% online student.
    • You may have health insurance added to your bill. Student health insurance can be added or dropped as late as the 15th class day of the fall and spring semesters by contacting the health insurance office at (406) 994-3199.

New Graduate Student Training

The Graduate School Recommends that you register for New Graduate Student Orientation. This training covers ethics, Title IX, using the library, and more. The training is online and self-paced.

D2L Brightspace

  • D2L Brightspace is the University’s course management system. All your courses can be found in D2L. 
  • Courses will appear in D2L no sooner than 5 days before the course starts but may open later at the instructor’s discretion. If the course is still not open by the start date, contact your advisor. 
  • If you need assistance using course content within D2L, contact your instructor. 
  • If you need assistance with D2L technology, contact the ECAT Team at ecat@montana.edu or (406) 994-3255. 

Program of Study

  • Your program of study must be completed during your first semester in the program. 
  • Go to the Graduate School Forms page and download the Program of Study Form – Certificate Seeking Students (NOT the Program of Study & Committee Form). 
  • Fill out your personal information on the top half of the first page.
  • On the bottom half of the first page, the program leader for library media is Deborah Rinio, deborah.rinio@montana.edu
  • On the second page (under 5xx- and 6xx-level graded coursework) list the courses you have taken and intend to take in chronological order. 
    • Write the four-digit year in the year column.
    • Place a 1 or 3 (representing the number of credits for the course) in the appropriate column based on the semester you plan to take the course. 
    • Your total credits should be 21.
    • You may leave the Instructor column blank. 
  • After completing the form, send it to edgrad@montana.edu so that it may be circulated for signatures.

How do you decide which courses to take?

  • See the course list for course #s and titles. All library media certificate program students take the same 21 credits.
  • Visit the Grad Course Rotation to find out when courses are offered.
  • Courses must be completed in a 6-year period, per Grad School policy. 
  • NOTE: A “full” course load consists of 7 credits per semester, but students may take fewer credits. It is not recommended to take more than 7 credits in a semester. Some scholarship and financial aid programs require students to take a minimum number of credits; check with your specific program if applicable.
  • Courses may be taken in any order, but we recommend that you use the following course sequence:
    • For Summer / Fall start date:
      • 1st semester: EDCI 550, EDCI 546, EDCI 598-801
      • 2nd semester: EDCI 522, EDCI 547, EDCI 598-802
      • 3rd semester: EDCI 549, EDCI 548, EDCI 598-803
    • For Spring start date:
      • 1st semester: EDCI 549, EDCI 548, EDCI 598-801
      • 2nd semester: EDCI 550, EDCI 546, EDCI 598-802
      • 3rd semester: EDCI 522, EDCI 547, EDCI 598-803

ALA / AASL Student Membership

The American Library Association is the national association for all library workers at all levels. ALA hosts an annual conference, midwinter meeting, as well as webinars and trainings throughout the year. ALA Publishing produces a host of useful books at discounts for members. ALA is also an advocate for libraries throughout the country. 

ALA has several chapters which reflect the needs of specific library types, including the American Association of School Librarians (AASL). ALA and AASL offer student membership at a reduced price. This is great way to get involved in the association, find out what it has to offer, and utilize their free-to-members trainings. 

ALA also offers a joint student membership program, that allows students to join the national organization and their state chapter at the same time for one low price.

Joining any, or all, of these organizations will help you to build networks, get involved, and get a sense of what they have to offer. Additionally, they offer discounts on books for members, and several of the textbooks required in the program are ALA published. 

Contacts / Getting Assistance