Fall 2025 Application Information

The priority deadline for Fall 2025 applications is December 15th, 2024.  

Filling out, and submitting an application form is the first step toward becoming a graduate student in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.  After reading the information below, please contact Doreen Brown at doreen.brown@montana.edu if you have any questions.  

Important Information

Admission decisions are determined by review of applicant's transcripts, personal statement, letters of recommendation, research experience, and strength of chemistry/biochemistry undergraduate background (including general, analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry courses; mathematics through calculus; and college level physics).  Although applications are accepted throughout the year, 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.  There are no exceptions to any of the following:

  • Undergraduate GPA must be 3.0 or above on a 4.0 point scale.  
  • GRE scores are NOT required. 
  • Evidence of English Language Proficiency. At the time of applying, MSU requires applicants from countries where English is a second language to present evidence of proficiency in the use of the English language. For the countries waived, please see the list ; if your country is not on the list - the English proficiency exam will not be waived. Minimum test scores from acceptable testing agencies are: TOEFL: 90-internet-based [iBT], the speaking component must be 26 or above; IELTS: 7.0 with a speaking component of 7.5-8.0; or 130-135 Duolingo (We are not accepting Pearsons PTE). 
  • Transcripts reflecting all undergraduate and/or post-baccalaureate study from each international and U.S. college/university. Copies of transcripts are fine initially for the application file but the committee reserves the right to request a student to submit an official transcript or WES evaluated transcript if necessary.  All transcripts must report a key or legend/scale of what each letter grades means.  Transcripts that do not provide this information will not be reviewed.   
  • Your personal statement should include your short term academic goals and long term professional goals and why our department is a good fit for you.  Include in your statement, any research you experienced as an undergraduate and the names of 3 professors in our department you would like to research with and why.  Faculty who accept graduate students in their labs can be found at the following website.
  • In additon your your personal statement, there are 3 additional questions in the application that you must respond to. 
  • You do not need to contact faculty to apply or be accepted into the program.
  • You do not need to hold an MS degree to apply to our PhD programs.
  • Review of applications begin in early January and continues 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. 
  • If accepted into the PhD program, support in the first year will be in the form of a Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA).  The GTA position offers a biweekly stipend and a tuition waiver for the academic year. Subsequent support will be determined in consultation with your research advisor as either a GTA or Graduate Research Assistant (GRA).
  • If accepted into the MS program, support in the first year is likey but not guaranteed.  Hi teddy-doreen 

To apply, click here. 

If you have any questions, email doreen.brown@montana.edu.