Trade SchoolsIf you live in Missoula and you want to start a rewarding career in trades, healthcare, transportation, or another rewarding field, there are plenty of trade schools that can prepare you for entry-level employment right here in your hometown.
Most trade school programs can be completed in less than two years, which makes them a less expensive and less time-consuming alternative to a four-year university.
The programs lead to certificates or diplomas and prepare students for entry-level employment in their field of choice and/or licensure exam.
To help you choose the program that best meets your career aspirations, schedule, budget, and lifestyle, on this page we have compiled information about the best trade schools in Missoula.
1Charter College
About the School
Charter College provides Medical Assistant career preparation for residents of Western Montana.
The school provides a blended curriculum that combines on-campus, hands-on learning with online studies, thus allowing students to manage family, work, and other obligations while advancing in their career opportunities.
The school has industry-current labs that provide hands-on training programs designed to teach students essential skills and offers them the opportunity to gain experience in an environment that simulates the healthcare workplace.
Before graduation, students also complete an externship in a hospital, clinic, or physician’s office to gain real-world experience.
Courses Offered
The Medical Assistant curriculum includes classes on:
- Compliance in Health Care Environments
- Patient Care Concepts
- Medical Terminology Fundamentals
- Functions of Health Records Management
- Medical Insurance Billing and Coding
- And more
The program can be completed in 10 months.
The Medical Assistant program prepares students for the National Certification Exam.
Contact Information
- Address: 1930 Brooks Street, Missoula, MT 59801
- Phone: (406) 303-3259
- Website: https://www.chartercollege.edu
2The Lifelong Learning Center
About the School
The Lifelong Learning Center offers a variety of classes and programs that prepare students for rewarding in-demand careers.
Courses Offered
The center’s catalog includes the following programs:
- Medical Programs:
- Chairside Dental Assistant
- Certified Nursing Assistant Training Program
- Phlebotomy Training Program
- And more
- Fitness
- Computer and Technical Classes
- Art Programs
- Teach with us!
The Certified Nursing Assistant program can be completed in only a few months and costs $691.
The instruction takes place in the classroom, off-site, and in a clinical laboratory setting.
The hands-on portion of the training is completed with mannequins, residents, patients, or actors.
The program includes Healthcare BLS/CPR Certification.
The Chairside Dental Assistant program costs $680 and prepares students for employment under the supervision of a Certified Dental Assistant, a Licensed Hygienist, or a Dentist.
This program includes Healthcare CPR Certification.
The Phlebotomy program costs $598 and gives students the opportunity to practice blood collection techniques with a mannequin arm in a classroom setting before the clinical hands-on collection part with each other and patients.
Contact Information
- Address: 310 S Curtis St, Missoula, MT 59801
- Phone: (406) 549-8765
- Website: https://missoulaclasses.com
3Connole Morton
About the School
Connole Morton provides professional education for Montana students.
Classes are available in the field of real estate and insurance.
The school provides a pass-the-exam guarantee, which means that if students don’t pass the Pre-Licensing exam, they are welcome to repeat the class at no charge for up to two years.
The real estate pre-licensing class combines lectures, illustrations, and hundreds of review questions in a lively and understandable seminar environment.
The classes are taught live by the school’s instructors.
Four-semester credits are available through the University of Montana.
The Insurance pre-licensing courses were developed to cover both life/health and property/casualty.
The pre-licensing classes combine pre-class home study with 24 hours of in-class instruction.
Contact Information
- Address: 1517 S Reserve St Ste 201, Missoula, MT 59801
- Phone: (800) 845-7491 | (406) 543-3269
- Website: https://connole-morton.com
4Studio Beauty School
About the School
Studio Beauty School provides esthetics, cosmetology, and manicurist courses for students who want to start rewarding careers in the beauty field.
Classes start every month.
The curriculum follows the Montana State Board of Cosmetology’s requirements for licensure.
Courses Offered
The Esthetics program covers the following courses:
- Theory
- Practical Services
- Business
The 400-hour Manicurist program can be completed in four-five months and covers topics on:
- Acrylic Nails
- Manicures
- Pedicures
An Instructors course is also available for experienced cosmetologists, estheticians, or lash techs who want to teach future professionals.
This program is designed for professionals who already hold a license.
Instructor students get to shadow and assist professional educators and learn how to develop lesson plans and group management techniques.
Contact Information
- Address: 2825 Stockyard Road Suite C6, Missoula, MT, 59808
- Phone: (406) 926-1124
- Website: https://www.sbsmissoula.com
5University of Montana- Missoula College
About the School
University of Montana- Missoula College provides Certificate and Associate Degree programs that are available online or in person.
The program duration ranges from one semester to two years, depending on the pathway and the credential it leads to.
Students also have access to pathways that allow them to transfer to the Mountain Campus undergraduate programs.
Courses Offered
The following pathways are available at the college:
- Construction, Manufacturing, and Transportation:
- Construction Trades and Technology
- Manufacturing and Welding
- Transportation
- Food Culture
- Associate of Applied Science in Food Service Entrepreneurship and Hospitality
- Certificate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
The Manufacturing and Welding pathway includes the following programs:
- Engineering Technology
- Welding Technology
The Welding Technology program can lead to an Associate of Applied Science or Certificate of Applied Science.
Students take classes such as:
- Introduction to Computers
- Technical Mathematics
- Related Metals Processes
- Fabrication Basics
- Welding Layout Techniques
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Flux Core Arc Welding
- Intro To Writing
- And more
The Certificate requires 33 total hours while the Associate in Applied Science requires 60 total hours.
Contact Information
- Address: 1205 E. Broadway St. Missoula, MT 59802
- Phone: 406-243-0211
- Website: https://www.umt.edu/missoula-college
6National Personal Training Institute
About the School
The National Personal Training Institute prepares students for rewarding careers in the field of personal training.
The Institute provides a Master Personal Training Program.
Hands-on and virtual classes are available to accommodate different schedules and lifestyles.
Courses Offered
The following personal training diploma options are provided at the National Personal Training Institute:
- 1,500-Hour Hybrid Personal Training Diploma Course
- 2,500-Hour Virtual Personal Training Diploma Course
The 1,500-hour program curriculum consists of 300 hours of theory and allows students to apply the theory at a local National PTI gym during the 200 hours of practical experience.
The theory parts cover courses such as Anatomy & Physiology, Posture/Movement Analysis, Nutrition, Business Practices, Program Design, and more.
The 2,500-hour program asks that students go over the practice in each class session after the lecture.
New classes start every six weeks.
Six- and 12-month schedules are available with day, evening, and weekend classes to accommodate students’ schedules.
Students who complete the program receive a State Licensed Personal Training Diploma that does not expire.
The institute also provides a Nutrition Certificate, lifetime job placement assistance, and after completing the program, a NASM CPT and NASM ACD (Academic Hands-on Certificate of Distinction).
Continuing education programs are also available for personal trainers who want to keep up with the latest advancements in the field.
Contact Information
- Address: 255 S Russell Street, Missoula, MT 59801
- Phone: 800-960-6294
- Website: https://nationalpti.org/school/missoula-mt
7Sacred Roots Massage School of Montana
About the School
Sacred Roots Massage School of Montana provides holistic-based massage education.
Classes are limited to eight students maximum.
Tuition for the program available at the Missoula campus is $13,550 and includes 750 hours of training.
The cost of the tuition includes all textbooks, workbooks, a massage table package, four sets of massage table linens, four twin-size blankets, a silicone cupping set, Reiki Level I Certification, Hot Springs Soak, Float Therapy Session, Exam Coach, Students Insurance, massage creams, and oils, and the other class supplies.
Applicants must meet the following admission requirements:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have two letters of recommendation
- Driver’s license, photo ID, or passport
If applicants are not 18 at the time of enrollment, a release form signed by the parent is required.
Students must be 18 at the time of graduation.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes classes such as:
- The Science of Touch
- The Art of Massage
- Ethics of Touch
- Structure, Foundation, and Mechanics
- Pathology and Physiology
- Personal Development
- Spa Arts
- Self Care
- Body Awareness
- Introduction to Craniosacral
- Eastern Modalities
- Pathology of the Body
Contact Information
- Address: 510 South 5th Street W. Missoula, MT 59801
- Phone: 406-493-7848
- Website: https://www.massageschoolofmontana.com
8Missoula College- CDL Program
About the School
Missoula College provides a CDL program that combines in-the-classroom theory training and 30 topics that meet FMCSA requirements as well as hands-on behind-the-wheel training from experienced, knowledgeable instructors.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available:
- Full CDL Program- a program that costs $5,000 and includes:
- An eight-week course
- 25 hours of Class A ELDT Courses
- Up to 35 hours of behind-the-wheel training
- Refresher CDL Course- a course that costs $3,000 and covers:
- Up to 20 hours of behind-the-wheel training
- 25 hours of Class A ELDT online courses
- Class A ELDT Course- a $500 course that includes:
- 25 hours of self-paced, online ELDT courses with 24/7 access
- All 30 topics required by the FMCSA
The Classroom Theory Courses included in the full CDL program include:
- Basic Operation
- Safe Operation Procedures
- Advanced Operating Practices
- Vehicle System and Reporting Malfunctions
- Air Brake Restrictions
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2795 37th Ave, Missoula MT 59804
- Phone: (406) 243-7637
- Website: https://cdlmontana.com
9Water Color IT and Desktop Application Training
About the School
Water Color IT and Desktop Application Training offer hundreds of instruction-led courses every month.
The classes cover popular desktop applications and the most up-to-date advanced technology titles, including Cloud, Security, Infrastructure, Server, and more.
The school enables clients throughout Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming to attend the same classes offered in large metropolitan areas.
The live online classes run in real-time and are instructor-led.
The courses include interactive discussions, hands-on practice labs, and technology use.
Courses Offered
Classes are available on topics such as Acrobat, Dreamweaver, InDesign, Cloud, Security, Wireless, Azure, Microsoft 365, SharePoint, SQL Server, Access, Excel, Office 365, Business Analysis, Agile, Risk Management, and many more.
Contact Information
- Address: 327 E Broadway St, Missoula, MT 59802
- Phone: 406.542.1573
- Website: https://www.watercolorct.com
10Montana Code School
About the School
Montana Code School offers an 18-week coding boot camp that teaches high-demand skills that trains competitive developers in a rapidly expanding industry.
This is a program offered by the University of Montana and Missoula College.
The school has graduated more than 150 students.
Courses Offered
The Front End Software Developer program covers the following courses:
- Introduction to JavaScript- week 1-6- this portion teaches JavaScript, Algorithms, OOP, Design Patterns, and Unit Testing
- Front End Technologies- weeks 7-12- this part covers HTML, CSS, JQuery, Bootstrap, and AJAX
- Web App Design with React-during weeks 13-18 students learn ReactJS, JSX, AWS, REST, and NPM
The Back End Software Developer program covers the following courses:
- Introduction to Java- week 1-6- this portion teaches Java, Algorithms, OOP, Design Patterns, and Unit Testing
- Relational Databases with MySQL- weeks 7-12- this part covers SQL, JDBC, DDL, Database Concepts, DML
- Web API Design with Spring Book- during weeks 13-18 students learn Spring Boot, AWS, JWT, REST, and JPA
Contact Information
- Address: 1121 E Broadway St, Missoula, MT 59802
- Phone: 406-219-1392
- Website: https://www.montanacodeschool.com
Salary Information for Popular Trade Careers
| Career | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | 310 | $59,400 | $28.56 | $80,510 | $46,880 |
| Medical Records Specialists | 110 | $47,180 | $22.68 | $57,960 | $33,260 |
| Nursing Assistants | 430 | $40,950 | $19.69 | $46,560 | $33,880 |
| Dental Assistants | 190 | $43,260 | $20.8 | $51,740 | $33,340 |
| Medical Assistants | 460 | $44,570 | $21.43 | $54,740 | $37,010 |
| Phlebotomists | 100 | $40,820 | $19.62 | $50,760 | $35,220 |
| Electricians | 290 | $65,200 | $31.35 | $87,880 | $44,890 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | 160 | $66,350 | $31.9 | $88,230 | $45,880 |
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | 310 | $53,230 | $25.59 | $78,160 | $34,780 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | 150 | $59,450 | $28.58 | $78,740 | $37,790 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our list of the best trade schools in Missoula, the next step is to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your needs.
This is an important step so take your time and gather information about all the relevant factors before deciding where to enroll.
Trade Schools by City in Montana
