The University of Montana Western

The University of Montana Western is located in Dillon, Montana, a small town situated in the southwestern region of the state approximately 60 miles from Butte. The public university's campus, established in 1893 as Montana State Normal School, occupies 34 acres at the base of the Beaverhead Mountains. Montana Western is distinctive for its Experience One program, where students take one course at a time in intensive three-week blocks rather than traditional concurrent courses. The institution specializes in education, business, equine studies, and natural sciences, with particular emphasis on experiential learning through its proximity to Yellowstone ecosystem and numerous outdoor recreation areas. Campus facilities include traditional residence halls, a natural history museum, and an equine training complex where students in the nationally recognized natural horsemanship program receive hands-on instruction.