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Application Process for the MEd in Curriculum & Instruction 

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. Three (3) Personal Essays: Each essay should be a maximum of 2 pages in length, typed, double spaced, and must respond to the following:
    • Essay 1 - Describe your career goals for the future and how you see the completion of a Master's degree in Curriculum & Instruction as helping you achieve your goals.
    • Essay 2 - Describe your personal strengths as an educator and identify the ways in which you believe you could use your strengths to contribute to the cohort of students with whom you will be studying.
    • Essay 3 - Describe the areas in which you want and need to grow as a professional educator and/or educational researcher.  Applicants applying to the Educational Researcher track are strongly encouraged to be very precise with their research interests and indicate what faculty in our department might be a good fit as their potential advisor. Faculty information can be found on:  https://www.montana.edu/education/directory/index.html
  5. Three (3) Professional References: During the application process you will be asked to submit contact information for each recommender. The electronic process will prompt each recommender to submit a signed reference letter. One of the recommenders should be from your current direct supervisor. Applicants who do not have a letter from a present supervisor must provide a written explanation identifying the specific reason(s) why they were unable to secure a letter of recommendation from their present supervisor.
  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 and EdD in Curriculum and Instruction

Prior to applying to the Curriculum and Instruction 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: The essay should be a maximum of 4 pages in length, typed, double spaced, and respond to the following:
    • Describe your development as an educator, your future career goals, and how you see the completion of a Doctoral Degree in Curriculum & Instruction as helping you achieve your goals.
    • Describe your personal strengths and interests as an educator and identify the ways in which you believe you could use your strengths to contribute to the cohort of students with whom you will be studying.
    • Indicate the area of curriculum, instruction, or teacher education in which you would like to conduct research. EdD application only.
  5. Three (3) Professional References: During the application process you will be asked to submit contact information for each recommender. The electronic process will prompt each recommender to submit a signed reference letter. The letters should be from individuals qualified to assess your ability and potential as a graduate student and be able to attest to your work ethic and professionalism. References from relatives are not acceptable. 
  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.

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 Curriculum & Instruction

Prior to applying to the Curriculum and Instruction 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. The applicant should briefly describe the following:

    • Education and other educational professional experiences
    • Research interests and experience including alignment with faculty interests and expertise and an example of research experiences using educational theory, research methods, and application.
    • Professional goals
  5. Three (3) Professional References: During the application process you will be asked to submit contact information for each recommender. The electronic process will prompt each recommender to submit a signed reference letter. The letters should be from individuals qualified to assess the following:
    • Knowledge in chosen field
    • Motivation and perseverance toward goals
    • Ability to work independently
    • Ability to express thoughts in speech and writing
    • Ability/potential for college teaching
    • Ability to plan and conduct research
  6. Writing Sample: Please upload a selected example of writing that demonstrates academic potential such as an artifact that highlights your interests, strengths, context and goals/desires more conducive to holistic review.
  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. 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. 
  9. 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 of the application materials for the MEd program in Curriculum and Instruction must be submitted via the online application system.  In order for a graduate degree 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 MEd application deadlines are:

  • Fall Semester:  April 1st
  • Spring Semester:  November 1st   
  • Summer Semester:  April 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 EdD program in Curriculum and Instruction must be submitted via the online application system. Students matriculate into the EdD program in the fall semester only. Applications to the 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 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

Note to applicants interested in graduate assistantships:  To facilitate the process of soliciting a graduate assistantship, a 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 Curriculum and Instruction 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

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

For Program specific questions:
Dr. Nick Lux, Program Leader
Curriculum and Instruction
Phone: 406-994-6581 [email protected]