Bachelor of Arts, Major in Environmental Studies

at MSM Group - Montana State University - Billings USA

The Outdoor Adventure Leadership degree is designed to prepare students for careers in a wide variety of leadership settings with hands-on learning activities. The program develops student’s skills in group dynamics, leadership principles, educational philosophy, as well as teaching and communication. This degree combines the study of educational and leadership theory and practice with technical outdoor travel and adventure. Students will acquire and enhance environmental skills and knowledge related to a variety of populations including senior citizens and youth at risk; and explore issues ranging from ethical controversies and risk management to program design.

Specialized skills acquired with Outdoor Adventure Leadership include sequencing, facilitation, and processing of activities, with specific attention to transferring the learning from activity-based experiences to the “real lives” of participants. In addition, the ability to safely engage in and provide outdoor activities and effectively teach skills in outdoor and indoor settings are central to the degree.

An Outdoor Adventure Leadership degree will allow the student to teach outdoor skills to others, safely oversee outdoor programs, and design programs for corporate and community organizations while preparing students for Professions with agencies that have a natural resource base foundation and public and private entities for utilizing the outdoors.

Art students at MSUB explore their research interests through developing visual language and critical thinking skills. With small class sizes and easy access to studios, students emerge as professionals boasting solo exhibitions and ready to enter creative fields or seek higher degrees.

Located in the urban center of Montana, our students grow their professional experience and artistic practice in an engaged learning environment. We aim to develop each artist as an individual in small group settings by integrating critical thinking, advanced technology, and creative space.

Programs offered through the Department of Biological and Physical Sciences share many outcomes.  Upon program completion students will:

• Understand the basic principles and laws governing our world and have a global awareness of their discipline.
• Demonstrate basic competency in laboratory, field and computer skills related to the sciences.
• Be familiar with accessing and interpreting the scientific literature.
• Be proficient in written and oral communication in the sciences.
• Understand scientific methodology, and conduct scientific investigations using it.
• Be prepared to participate in professional activities.

The curriculum builds students’ understanding of environmental issues as reflections of societal values and behaviors, environmental technologies and sciences, and environmental policies. As an interdisciplinary program, students have course options in beginning and advanced Geographical Information Systems (GIS), advanced ecology, environmental advocacy and applied social media campaigns, historical perspectives of the environmental movement, Native American perspectives on environmental issues, environmental sociology, and artistic and literary representation of the environment, and more.

The B.F.A. in Art is considered the professional undergraduate degree in studio art and is designed to provide students with a thorough grounding in fundamental principles and techniques with opportunities for emphasis in one or more specific studio art areas.

Management Option

The Management Option is designed to provide students with the problem-solving and leadership skills needed to manage employee productivity, company operations, and the 21st century challenges in the business environment.  A degree in management provides the advantage needed to succeed in a competitive business environment.

A degree focusing on management teaches students how to innovate; create competitive business strategies; use best practices in hiring, developing, and leading employees; and develop the analytical skills that are needed to facilitate decision-making in complex situations. Management students take courses focusing on international business, sustainable business practices, project management, interpersonal skills, human resource management, entrepreneurship, and business strategy. These are built on a broad foundation of learning in the areas of accounting, economics, business law, finance, business analytics, management information systems, and marketing.

Students are given opportunities to practice leadership, motivation, and team building in their courses. Students get hands-on experience developing business plans for real clients and interacting with community businesses on classroom projects. Internship opportunities exist to provide practical and networking experiences important to obtaining employment.

Studying management prepares students for careers in a variety of industries including manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, wholesale and retail trade, service industries, banking, construction, transportation, finance, education, utilities, entertainment, and government.

Programs offered through the Department of Biological and Physical Sciences share many outcomes.  Upon program completion students will:

• Understand the basic principles and laws governing our world and have a global awareness of their discipline.
• Demonstrate basic competency in laboratory, field and computer skills related to the sciences.
• Be familiar with accessing and interpreting the scientific literature.
• Be proficient in written and oral communication in the sciences.
• Understand scientific methodology, and conduct scientific investigations using it.
• Be prepared to participate in professional activities.

The criminal justice program at MSU Billings is designed to provide students with an understanding of the principles and practices of the criminal justice system in the United States.  Students will learn about the essential components of the criminal justice system, including police, courts, and corrections.  The program is especially suited for people who are planning a career with a criminal justice agency as well as those who are interested in the study of crime and criminal justice.  A degree in Criminal Justice provides the background for a student to enter a variety of occupations in the criminal justice field such as law enforcement officer at the local, state or federal level, corrections officer, or probation officer.  Students with a degree in criminal justice may also find employment with regulatory agencies, social service agencies, and in business.  The major also prepares students to enter graduate programs in criminal justice, sociology, and public administration.

As a general Liberal Arts degree, Psychology majors develop excellent interpersonal, research, writing, and analytical skills and are attractive to a wide variety of employers. Students may wish to take appropriate courses in other areas to enhance their skills and marketability. To prepare for a career in Psychology with a Bachelor’s degree, students are encouraged to consult with faculty to take appropriate courses and to pursue internships in the Billings community.