In your proposal, you will need to detail your research area, describing, defining, and explaining a research problem. This should include your proposed research objectives and methods. You will upload this proposal during the application in the personal statement section (Page 9). As part of your application, you will need to have at least three (3) MSU faculty members agree to serve as your graduate committee and write a letter of recommendation supporting your admission to the program. These faculty members should have the opportunity to provide you with feedback on your proposal.

In addition, please consider your responses to the following bullet points and include them where appropriate in your proposal:

  • You cannot achieve your research interests through another traditional doctoral degree from Montana State University;
  • Your research requires an interdisciplinary approach to successfully achieve the research outcomes and encompasses two or more departments and academic disciplines at MSU;
  • Your proposal explains the expertise each discipline offers in seeking a solution to the problem.

You will be developing one document (PDF), which will be uploaded during the application process. Remember, this document will be in place of the statement of purpose in the application. 

  1. Provide at least two (2) areas of study, including your background competencies, that you bring to the doctoral level. Be sure to identify any additional preparation required in the two (or more) areas.
  2. Propose a relevant research plan that includes PhD-level research questions. 
  3. List all objectives, timeline, and outline for your research, as well as an estimated degree completion date. 
  4.  Include an updated Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV). 
  5. NOTE: The first part of the proposal should be approximately four (4) pages in length and be developed with formal input from your proposed doctoral committee.  
Graduate Committee

In your application, you will list three (3) MSU faculty members who will write recommendation letters and agree to serve as committee members if you are admitted to the program. Their letters should detail that they are formally agreeing to be on your committee.

  1. The composition of your committee must follow Graduate School Policy 
  2. Your committee should span at least two departments at MSU.
  3. The chair of your committee or majority of the co-chairs of your committee must be tenured/tenure-track and at least one must be from a doctoral granting department at MSU.

NOTE: Be sure to supply official transcripts from all previous institutions showing a GPA of 3.00 or higher out of 4.00. MSU alumni do not need to supply MSU transcripts.