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Did you know that there are 35 Tribal Colleges and Universities throughout the country, and Montana itself is home to seven of them -- more than any other state? If you were unaware of the existence of these  

Montana state universities

 , you're not alone. But they are thriving institutions of higher education.

Located mainly in the Midwest and Southwest, Tribal Colleges and Universities serve approximately 30,000 full- and part-time students, from young adults to senior citizens, American Indians to non-American Indians. They offer two-year Associate Degrees in over 200 disciplines, with some providing bachelor's and master's degrees. They also offer over 200 vocational certificate programs, and are all members of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, whose mission is to support the work of these institutions of higher education as well as the national movement for tribal self-determination.

Intrigued? Discover all these Montana universities have to offer:

Blackfeet community college (Browning) is a public, two-year, tribally controlled community college located on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. And, lest you think technology is lacking in Montana colleges and universities, the school has been offering courses online since 2003.

Chief Dull Knife College (Lame Deer), named in honor of one of the Northern Cheyenne's most respected historical leaders, is an open-admission, community-based, comprehensive, tribally controlled community college and land grant institution located on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. It offers associate degrees in fields such as Alcohol and drug studies, as well as certificate programs in fields such as entrepreneurship.

Fort Belknap College (Harlem), located on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, offers associate degree programs in allied health, natural resources, early childhood education, and more. Online extension courses are available as well in this and other Montana universities.

Fort Peck Community College (Poplar) is a tribally controlled community college chartered by the government of the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes. Credits earned are designed to be transferable to other Montana state universities. In addition, the school maintains an occupational training program based on the needs of the people living on and near the reservation, and the potential employment opportunities available in the region.

Little Big Horn College (Crow Agency), a public, two-year community college chartered by the Crow Tribe of Indians and located in the heart of the Crow Indian Reservation, offers 10 associate degrees directed to the economic and Job opportunities in the area.

Salish Kootenai College (Pablo), located in the center of the Flathead Indian Reservation, became accredited in 1984, the first tribal college in the Northwest to accomplish that goal. In 1989, the registered nursing program was established, only the third in the nation at a tribal college. The current catalog lists five bachelor's degrees, 14 associate degrees, and seven certificate programs.

Stone Child College (Box Elder) is a tribally controlled community college of the Chippewa-Cree Tribe, offering programs of study leading to associate degrees and certificates. And you won't be bored on this campus. Nearby Beaver Creek Park, a 10,000-acre strip of the Bear Paw Mountains, is the largest county park in the nation, where you can enjoy camping, fishing, swimming, and canoeing, spring through fall.

When researching Montana state universities, remember to take a look at Tribal Colleges and Universities -- a key piece of our country's history.



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Robyn Tellefsen is a frequent contributor to The CollegeBound Network. Learn more about finding a school that's right for you.

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