Montana State University-Northern has provided coursework and professional development training sessions in Lewistown since 1985. The main campus for MSU-Northern is in Havre which is 175 miles from Lewistown.

In conjunction with Educational Opportunities for Central Montana (EOCM), Northern offers a wide variety of college courses that allow area people to work toward their post-secondary education goals and remain in the Lewistown area. Some take classes toward a degree, some for career advancement and others simply for the challenge and joy of life long learning..

Approximately 100 courses are offered by Northern each academic year including entry-level Montana University Core classes required for any degree program, an Associate of Arts degree, the Associate and Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, the Associate and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, as well as graduate level courses for educators.