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Application Process for the MEd in Adult and Higher Education 

Click Here to access the online application

During the online application process you will be asked to submit the following materials.

  1. Completed Graduate School Application
  2. Resume/Curriculum Vitae
  3. Academic Transcripts: Applicants must submit official transcripts verifying all Bachelors degree course work directly to the attention of Department of Education Graduate Programs Office. Unofficial transcripts may be uploaded during the application process. The preferred method of receiving Official transcripts is electronic. Electronic transcripts are acceptable if they arrive directly from the applicant’s certifying university. Please have electronic transcripts sent to [email protected]. Official Transcripts may also be mailed directly to the Department of Education Graduate Programs Office, 215 Reid Hall, PO Box 172880, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717. NOTE: We require an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale). Transcripts will be evaluated for rigor and academic fit. 
  4. Personal essay: The suggested length is 2-3 pages, double-spaced. Statement of purpose/personal essay describing your education experiences, why you are  Interested in the program, and how you plan to use the degree. The program recommends that all applicants contact a faculty member in the program whose work most closely aligns with their interests before applying. 
  5. Three (3) professional references: Three professional references written by people who are able to judge your potential for success in graduate level study. The committee strongly encourages applicants to have one letter from a former faculty member.
  6. For International Applicants ONLY: For information on the International application process, see link  https://www.montana.edu/gradschool/policy/admissions_intl.html. The Department of Education does not waive the requirement for English Proficiency test score. 
  7. The Department of Education is unable to waive the $70 Graduate School Application fee.

Application Process for the EdS & EdD in Adult and Higher Education 

Prior to applying to the Adult and Higher Education EdS / EdD program applicants must hold a Master's degree.

Click Here to access the online application

During the online application process you will be asked to submit the following materials.

  1. Completed Graduate School Application
  2. Resume/Curriculum Vitae

  3. Academic Transcripts: Applicants must submit official transcripts verifying all Bachelors degree and Masters degree course work directly to the attention of Department of Education Graduate Programs Office. Unofficial transcripts may be uploaded during the application process. The preferred method of receiving Official transcripts is electronic. Electronic transcripts are acceptable if they arrive directly from the applicant’s certifying university. Please have electronic transcripts sent to [email protected]. Official Transcripts may also be mailed directly to the Department of Education Graduate Programs Office, 215 Reid Hall, PO Box 172880, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717. NOTE: We require an undergraduate/graduate GPA of at least 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale). Transcripts will be evaluated for rigor and academic fit. 

  4. Personal essay: Statement of purpose/personal essay describing your education experiences, why you are  Interested in the program, and how you plan to use the degree.  Applicants to the EdS should address how further coursework will benefit them professionally.  Applicants to the EdD should include their research interests to address a problem of professional practice. The program recommends that all applicants contact a faculty member in the program whose work most closely aligns with their interests before applying. 
  5. Three (3) professional references: Three professional references written by people who are able to judge your potential for success in graduate level study. The committee strongly encourages applicants to have one letter from a former faculty member.

  6. The GRE is not required: If applicants choose, they may attach GRE scores as an additional upload and our faculty will use the scores to holistically review the application.

  7. For International Applicants ONLY: For information on the International application process, see link  https://www.montana.edu/gradschool/policy/admissions_intl.html. The Department of Education does not waive the requirement for English Proficiency test score. 
  8. The Department of Education is unable to waive the $70 Graduate School Application fee.

Note:

  • A bachelor's and master's degree are required for the EdS or EdD
  • EdD applicants may be contacted for an interview by the program specific applicant review committee.

Application Process for the PhD in Education, Adult and Higher Education 

Prior to applying to the Adult and Higher Education PhD program applicants must hold a Master's degree.

Click Here to access the online application

During the online application process you will be asked to submit the following materials.

  1. Completed Graduate School Application
  2. Resume/Curriculum Vitae
  3. Academic Transcripts: Applicants must submit official transcripts verifying all Bachelors degree and Masters degree course work directly to the attention of Department of Education Graduate Programs Office. Unofficial transcripts may be uploaded during the application process. The preferred method of receiving Official transcripts is electronic. Electronic transcripts are acceptable if they arrive directly from the applicant’s certifying university. Please have electronic transcripts sent to [email protected]. Official Transcripts may also be mailed directly to the Department of Education Graduate Programs Office, 215 Reid Hall, PO Box 172880, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717. NOTE: We require an undergraduate/graduate GPA of at least 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale). Transcripts will be evaluated for rigor and academic fit. 
  4. Personal Essay: Suggested length is 2-3 typed, double-spaced pages. Statement of purpose/personal essay describing your education experiences, why you are  Interested in the program, and how you plan to use the degree.   Applicants to the PhD program should include their research interests and experience, including alignment with faculty interests and expertise, and an example of research experience relevant to the doctoral degree. The program recommends that all applicants contact a faculty member in the program whose work most closely aligns with their interests before applying.  

  5. Writing Sample: Please upload a selected example of writing that demonstrates academic potential such as an artifact that highlights your interest, strengths, context, and goals/desires more conducive to holistic review.

  6. Three (3) Professional References: Three professional references written by people who are able to judge your potential for success in graduate level study. The committee strongly encourages applicants to have one letter from a former faculty member.
  7. Research and Data Analysis Skills Summary: You will be asked to upload a separate document (suggested length is one page) addressing the following:
    • Describe your research experience skills.
    • Summarize your experiences using different research methods.
    • List scholarly products such as peer-reviewed conference publications and peer-reviewed publications. 
    • Describe data analysis skills and experience using different data analysis software (i.e., SPSS, ENVIVO, SAS).
  8. The GRE is not required:  If applicants choose, they may attach GRE scores as an additional upload and our faculty will use the scores to holistically review the application.
  9. For International Applicants ONLY: For information on the International application process, see link  https://www.montana.edu/gradschool/policy/admissions_intl.html. The Department of Education does not waive the requirement for English Proficiency test score. 
  10. The Department of Education is unable to waive the $70 Graduate School Application fee.

Note:

  • A bachelor's and master's degree are required for the PhD
  • PhD applicants may be contacted for an interview by the program specific applicant review committee.

Application Deadlines

Complete applications will be reviewed by members of the Graduate Admissions Committee who then convene to make a final admission recommendation. Applications are then forwarded to The Graduate School for final decision and administrative processing.  Please note the application review process will begin after the application deadline and not before.

We strongly suggest that prior to application or at the time of submitting an application, doctoral applicants contact faculty with whom their planned research would align.  This will assist us in identifying an appropriate advisor for program applicants and provide us an opportunity to get to know  you.  Our professors are listed on the Faculty and Staff Directory: https://www.montana.edu/education/directory/index.html  We hope that you are interested in our program!  

Below are the deadlines by which all application materials for the MEd in Adult and Higher Education must be submitted via the online application system.  For an application to be reviewed for admission, all required application documents must be submitted by the department's posted deadline. Applications received after the deadline may be reviewed for acceptance on a case-by-case basis.

The  application deadlines are:

  • Fall Semester:  April 1st
  • Spring Semester:  November 1st 

If an applicant is unable to submit all application materials via the online application system by the preferred dates listed above, he or she can submit the materials by the date listed below, as there will be a second review.

  • Fall Semester: July 15th

Below is the deadline by which all of the application materials for the EdS  and EdD in Adult & Higher Education must be submitted via the online application system. Students matriculate into the these programs in fall semester only. Applications to the EdS and EdD programs are reviewed each year after the April 1st deadline. Applications received after the deadline may be reviewed for acceptance on a case-by-case basis.

Fall Semester:  

  • February 1st: Early priority deadline for those seeking graduate assistantships; and
  • April 1st

Below is the deadline by which all of the application materials for the PhD in Education must be submitted via the online application system. Students matriculate into the PhD program in the fall semester only. Applications to the PhD program are reviewed each year after the April 1st deadline. Applications received after the deadline may be reviewed for acceptance on a case-by-case basis.

Fall Semester:  

  • February 1st: Early priority deadline for those seeking graduate assistantships; and
  • April 1st

Note to applicants interested in graduate assistantships: 
To facilitate the process of soliciting a graduate assistantship, an early priority deadline of February 1st has been established. All complete applications received by February 1st will be reviewed early to allow ample time for applicants to apply for graduate assistantship opportunities well in advance of the April.  Applicants who apply after February 1st can still apply for open graduate assistantships, however these applications will be reviewed following the April 1st deadline.

Select graduate programs in Adult and Higher Education are approved Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP)  and Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) programs. To learn more, see the WRGP/WICHI page 

Contact Information

Micki MacGregor, Graduate Program Coordinator
PO Box 172880
Montana State University
Reid Hall 215, Bozeman, MT 59717-2880 
[email protected]