Fall 2025 Application Information

The deadline for Fall 2025 applications has passed.   

International students: Unfortunately, our department will not be able to provide an application fee waiver at this time. 

Domestic Students: Contact dbrown@montana.edu regarding the possibility of an application fee waiver.  

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 addition to your personal statement, there are 3 additional questions in the application that you must respond to. 
  • You do not need to contact faculty/advisor 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 not guaranteed.  

To apply, click here. 

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