General Statement of Policy

Inquiries concerning graduate study in the Department are referred to the Chair of the Departmental Graduate Program Committee and evaluated by appropriate faculty members. Students accepted for the Doctor of Philosophy or Master of Science degree programs in the Department must conform to the requirements and regulations of The Graduate School and to those of the Department. The Department and the student's Doctoral/Masters Committee may specify additional requirements within the program of study. All of these requirements must be fulfilled before a student is awarded a degree from the University.  

Application Requirements

The procedures for admission are as stated in The Graduate School Application Requirements. A brief outline is as follows:

  1. Application form
  2. Three letters of recommendation
  3. Graduate Record Examination(GRE)

Graduate Record Examination scores are now optional. While not required, these scores are highly recommended if your GPA is lower or if you have less research experience.

  1. Official Transcripts
  2. Personal Statement

The most important part of your statement is to convey why you want to study the field you have chosen, and why you want to study it at MSU. Develop a story that focuses on you and how your personal experiences have shaped your future goals. It would be helpful if you can identify a faculty member within the Department whose work best matches your interests.

Additional materials required from International Applicants:

  1. English Proficiency exams

If English is not the official language of the student's country of citizenship, the student is required to take either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

These exams are not required if the applicant has received an undergraduate or graduate degree from an institution in the U.S.

  1. International Student Financial Certificate

Please visit http://www.montana.edu/gradschool/policy/admissions_intl.html for additional information.

APPLICATION and ADMISSION PROCESS

The complete application packet for admission is available online at The Graduate School.

The Department has set deadlines by which complete applications must be received for consideration. These are:

  • Fall Semester -  December 15
  • Spring Semester -  September 15

After receipt of the completed application, the Department Graduate Committee and faculty will review the application and invite promising candidates for on-campus interviews. A teleconference interview (i.e. Skype) is acceptable if arrangements cannot be made for a visit. Based on interviews, the Graduate Program Committee will make initial recommendations about the suitability of all applicants. The Department Head will then make a firm recommendation to the Dean of The Graduate School concerning admission to the Department. The Dean will make the final decision on the application.

The Department may choose any of the following:

  • Accept (Regular Admission). The student has satisfied all of the requirements of The Graduate School and those of the Department. A mentor in the student's area of interest is likely to be available (rotation students) or already provided a letter of support for the application (directly admitted students).
  • Accept with Provisions (Provisional Admission). These decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. Provisions will be determined that will address any potential deficiencies in the applicant’s capability to excel in the graduate program. Such provisions may include additional coursework or examination and must be met to before a student is awarded a degree.
  • Deny. Admission may be refused for a number of reasons. Due to the competitive nature of the graduate application process, not all students will be accepted that meet the minimum requirement. Further information can be requested by contacting the chair of the Graduate Program committee.

Students will be considered for direct admission into the Department only when there is a professor willing to support them for the duration of their studies. These students will undergo the same application procedures and deadlines as detailed above.

If you are accepted by The Graduate School, you must fill out and return the Admissions Response form, stating whether or not you intend to attend MSU.

 

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