Bitterroot College

This article is about the Bitterroot College campus in Hamilton. For other campuses, see Montana University System.

University of Montana Bitterroot College

Former name	Bitterroot College Program (2009–2012)
Motto	Lux et Veritas (Latin)
Motto in English	"Light and Truth"
Type	Public university
Established	2009;16 years ago (2009)
Parent institution	Montana University System - The University of Montana System
Accreditation	NWCCU
President	Seth Bodnar
Provost	Adrea Lawrence
Students	145 (Spring 2024)
Location	Hamilton , Montana , United States
Colors	Maroon and silver [1]
Nickname	Grizzlies and Lady Griz
Mascot	Monte
Website	www.umt.edu/bitterroot-college

University of Montana Bitterroot College (UM Bitterroot College) is a campus of the University of Montana located in Hamilton, Montana, United States. The campus is part of the Montana University System (MUS) two-year college system. ^[2] In operation since 2009, the program offers Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees in addition to various certificate programs. ^{[3] [4]}

History

UM Bitterroot College was established in the fall of 2009 as the Bitterroot College Program (BCP) by the Bitterroot College Program Steering Committee. ^[5] The Committee was formed in the spring of 2009 upon the recommendation of the Montana Board of Regents after the Montana Legislature declined to establish a community college district in Ravalli County. ^{[6] [7]} In 2021, the Montana Legislature reconsidered the decision, leading to the establishment of the Bitterroot Valley Community College District. ^[8] The college was iniitally located at the Ravalli Entrepreneurship Center in Hamilton, later moving to its current location in the Westview Building in 2015. ^[9]

Academics

UM Bitterroot College currently offers Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Applied Science, Certificate of Applied Science, and Certificate of Technical Studies programs:

• Associate of Arts Degree (A.A.)
• Associates of Science Degree (A.S.)
• Accounting Fundamentals (C.A.S.)
• Addiction Counseling (C.A.S.)
• Clinical Medical Assistant (C.T.S.)
• Cybersecurity (C.T.S.)
• Associate of Arts and Science Degree Programs
• Paramedicine (A.A.S.)
• Associate of Applied Science Degree Programs
• Medical Laboratory Technician (A.A.S.)
• Legal Studies (C.A.S.)
• Medical Information Technology (A.A.S.)
• Medical Claims Specialist (C.T.S.)
• Medical Reception (C.A.S.)
• Business & Technology
• Certificate Programs
• General Studies Certificate
• Surgery Technology (A.A.S.)

References

1. "Official Graphic Standards Manual for The University of Montana" . Retrieved April 19, 2014.
2. Post, Guest (April 30, 2024). "UM-Bitterroot College thriving". Bitterroot Star. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
3. "Bitterroot College". www.umt.edu. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
4. Staff, NBC Montana (March 29, 2024). "Bitterroot College UM sees big jump in spring enrollment". KECI. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
5. Post, Guest (March 24, 2020). "Ravalli County needs a real community college". Bitterroot Star. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
6. "About UM Bitterroot". www.umt.edu. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
7. Szpaller, Keila (June 21, 2021). "Bitterroot Valley Community College moves ahead, lawmakers push career, tech ed • Daily Montanan". Daily Montanan. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
8. "A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA APPROVING THE BITTERROOT VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT" (PDF). Montana State Legislature. 2021.
9. Szpaller, Keila (August 23, 2015). "Under the M: Bitterroot College opens its new location". The Missoulian. Retrieved July 21, 2025.

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