GREAT FALLS — Great Falls College-MSU and Montana State University-Billings have signed an agreement that will allow students to start their educational journeys at Great Falls College by acquiring an associate’s degree in accounting before transferring to MSU-B to get a bachelor’s degree in business.
A news release from Great Falls College-MSU says that the step is one more way the Montana State-affiliated campuses are partnering to form paths for students to benefit from everything that each of the schools offer. It also marks another way Great Falls College and its MSU sister institutions are working to meet students where they are.
“Great Falls College is committed to making education as accessible as possible for anyone who wants to jump-start a career or move up the ladder at their current workplace or otherwise improve their lives,” said Dr. Leanne Frost, executive director of instruction at Great Falls College. “This is one more way Great Falls College and its fellow MSU schools are making this possible.”
Beginning at Great Falls College has several advantages as it is considerably less expensive than four-year institutions, and offers small class sizes and access to instructors with real-world experience, Frost said.
Kerry Dolan, accounting program director at Great Falls College, worked as a certified public accountant in the Minneapolis area for many years before moving back to her home state to raise her family.
“She was a CPA and is able to give you a perspective into what actually goes into accounting,” said Michael Judd, a graduate of the program who is working in the Great Falls area as an accountant.
“Sometimes you don’t always get that from the teachers, but she is able to give you a perspective of what is expected of you (in the workplace).”
“We work really hard to incorporate real-world experiences into our curriculum to ensure graduates of our programs are ready to hit the ground running when they get out into the workplace,” Dolan said.
