Prospective Students - Materials Science MS and PhD

Applying to the MS or PhD Program in Materials Science

APPLICATIONS FOR FALL 2025

Fall 2025 Priority is given to applications that are in our office by January 15th, 2025.  Applications received after January 15th, are eligible for acceptance if spaces are available. Filling out and submitting the application, is the first step toward becoming a graduate student in the Materials Science Program.

The application packet is to include the following:

• A personal statement. For PhD applicants, your personal statement should include your short-term academic goals and long-term professional goals and why a materials science graduate degree at our University is a good fit for you.  Include in your statement, any research you experienced as an undergraduate and the names of 3 professors in the Materials Science Program you would like to research with and why. For MS applicants, your personal statement should address your professional goals and why our program is a good fit for you. 

• Transcripts of undergraduate and/or post-baccalaureate study (unofficial is fine). Your transcript must contain a legend or key on the grading system of the school you attended (point scale and what each grade means). If no legend or key is provided on how your grades are calculated and what each letter grade means, we will not review your application.
• 3 Letters of reference. You will be asked to provide information about your references. The electronic process will prompt each reference to submit a signed reference letter in English. You do not need to wait to submit your application; these letters will move into your application even after it has been submitted.
• CV or resume is encouraged.
• All international graduate applicants to MSU are required to take an English Proficiency exam, except for those who have earned a college degree from a United States or other native English-language school or institution. (See International Admissions Guidelines).

Note: If you have received a bachelor’s, master's or doctorate from an institution in the U.S. or a country listed below, an English proficiency examination is not required. 

Important Information

Admission decisions are determined by review of applicant's transcripts, personal statement, letters of recommendation, research experience, and strength of undergraduate courses in your major. 

Most offers are made for admission in the fall semester.  

The following criteria should be used as a guide to help you as you apply to our graduate programs. 

• Undergraduate GPA must be 3.0 or above on a 4.0 point scale.  
• GRE scores are NOT required. 
• All international students must show English proficiency.  You can submit the IELTS or the iBT form of the TOEFL exam and provide a report.   Typical, minimum test scores from acceptable testing agencies are: TOEFL: 90-internet-based [iBT] or 550-PBT, IELTS: 7.0, or 130 Duolingo.  A TOEFL minimum speaking score of 26 is needed to qualify for admission to our program and for a teaching assistantship. On the IELT speaking component score of 8.0 to qualify for a teaching assistantship.
• A personal statement as described above.
• You do not need to contact a faculty advisor to apply or be accepted into the program.
• You do not need to hold an MS degree to apply to our PhD program.
• Review of applications will begin in January and continue until our class is full. Priority is given to early applicants.
• Applicants will be notified about acceptance and financial awards no later than April 1st. Completed applications should be in our office by January 15th. Applications received after January 15th are still eligible for acceptance if space is available.
• If accepted into the PhD program, support in the first year for the incoming class will be in the form of a Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) and a tuition waiver.  Subsequent support will be determined in consultation with your research advisor as either a GTA or Graduate Research Assistant. 

If you have any questions, please email kyra.merchen@montana.edu