Application Process

Prior to applying for the masters in Educational Leadership, applicants who are seeking Montana Class III Administrator's License must hold a Montana Class II teaching license and have at least two years teaching experience in an accredited school.

During the online application process you will be asked to submit the following materials:

1. Completed Graduate School Application
2. Resume/Curriculum Vitae
3. Transcripts from all universities attended, with degrees posted:
   • All applicants must upload unofficial or official  transcripts during the online application process, even if you are currently still working on your degree.
   • Current and previous students of MSU-Bozeman need to list MSU on the application but do not need to submit official transcripts. 
   • If the department extends an offer of admission, the Graduate School must receive official transcripts with degree(s) posted from the university(s) attended.
   • Transcripts will be evaluated for rigor and academic fit.
   • MSU requires an undergraduate/graduate GPA of at least 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale).
4. Personal Statement: The personal statement should be a maximum of 2 pages in length and address:
   • Your development and growth as a teacher, including professional development
   • Your contributions to the school and district;
   • Your development as a leader. Specific examples are needed that clarify how you have grown as a leader and your leadership activities;
   • Your specific goals, including a timeline for assuming a school leadership position;
   • Your motivation to become a school leader and an explanation of how you came to this decision; and
   • Personal qualities you possess that are desirable in a leader.
5. Three (3) Professional Letters of Recommendation: The electronic process will prompt each recommender to submit a signed reference letter. Candidates must meet the following criteria for one of the three letters of recommendation.
   • At least one of the three letters must be from the candidate's PRESENT direct supervisor. That means a school district administrator who is (a) currently administratively certified by Montana Office of Public Instruction or other equivalent state agency; and (b) currently acts as direct supervisor for the candidate, and has done so for a minimum period of one semester. If for any reason you cannot secure a letter from your present supervisor, then:
   • At least one of the letters of recommendation must be from PREVIOUS direct supervisor. That means a school district administrator who is (a) currently certified by the Montana Office of Public Instruction or other equivalent state agency; AND (b) has, at some point preceding the date of this application, acted as direct supervisor for the candidate for a minimum period of one semester. Any applicant who does not have a letter from a present direct supervisor must indicate in the self-nomination letter the specific reason(s) why they were unable to secure a letter of recommendation from their present supervisor.
6. International Applicants: Visit the Graduate School's International Admissions website.  The Department of Education does not waive the requirement for English Proficiency test scores or the $70 Graduate School Application fee. All unofficial/official transcripts must be translated and transcribed to a 4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) scale.

Applications must be submitted via the online application system and all required application documents must be submitted to be reviewed

Applications received after the due date will be reviewed for acceptance on a case-by-case basis.

The application deadlines are:

• Fall Semester:  
  • April 1st 
  • July 15th (late review)
• Spring Semester: Nov 1st   
• Summer Semester:  April 1^st

Prior to applying to the School Superintendent Certificate Program, all applicants must have: 

• a master's degree in Educational Leadership
• and if seeking a Montana Class III Administrator's License for Superintendent must have a Montana Class III Administrator's License for K-12 Principal

During the online application process you will be asked to submit the following materials:

1. Completed Graduate School Application
2. Resume/Curriculum Vitae 
   • Include the names and contact information of three (3) references
3. Transcripts from all universities attended, with bachelors and masters degrees posted:
   
   • All applicants must upload unofficial or official  transcripts during the online application process.
   • Current and previous students of MSU-Bozeman need to list MSU on the application but do not need to submit official transcripts. 
   • If the department extends an offer of admission, the Graduate School must receive official transcripts with degree(s) posted from the university(s) attended.
   • Transcripts will be evaluated for rigor and academic fit.
   • MSU requires an undergraduate/graduate GPA of at least 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale).
4. Personal Statement: Provide a statement (two pages maximum) that helps us understand your professional goals and aspirations that this certificate will help you realize.
   • Include your educational background 
   • teaching area of expertise
   • number of years taught and  number of years in school leadership positions
   • where you currently work
   • indicate if  you have been hired into a MT Superintendent position for the upcoming year and need an Office of Public Instruction internship program

During the online application process you will be asked to submit the following materials:

1. Completed Graduate School Application
2. Resume/Curriculum Vitae
3. Transcripts from all universities attended, with degrees posted:
   • All applicants must upload unofficial or official  transcripts during the online application process, even if you are currently still working on your degree.
   • Current and previous students of MSU-Bozeman need to list MSU on the application but do not need to submit official transcripts. 
   • If the department extends an offer of admission, the Graduate School must receive official transcripts with degree(s) posted from the university(s) attended.
   • Transcripts will be evaluated for rigor and academic fit.
   • MSU requires an undergraduate/graduate GPA of at least 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale).
4. Personal Statement: Provide a statement that helps us understand your professional goals and aspirations that this certificate will help you realize. Also include your educational background - teaching area of expertise, number of years taught, and where you currently work.
5. One (1) Professional Reference Letter: During this online process, you will be asked to provide information about your reference. The electronic process will prompt your reference to submit a signed reference letter. Your letter must meet the following criteria:

   • One letter of reference from your PRESENT direct supervisor.  A school district administrator who (a) is currently administratively certified by Montana Office of Public Instruction or other equivalent state agency; and (b) currently acts as direct supervisor for the candidate.

   • Or a university faculty member who currently acts as an advisor or faculty member of the candidate’s program of study.

Applications must be submitted via the online application system. An application  and documentation must submitted by the department posted due date to be reviewed for admission Applications received after the due date may be reviewed for acceptance on a case-by-case basis.

The application due dates are:

• Fall Semester:  
  • April 1st 
  • July 15th (late review)
• Spring Semester: Nov 1st   
• Summer Semester:  April 1^st

CURRENTLY WE ARE NOT ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS to the EdS, EdD and PhD Educational Leadership Programs.

When the Program is accepting applications again: 

To apply to the Educational Leadership EdS, EdD or PhD program applicants must hold a Master's degree.

During the online application process you will be asked to submit the following materials:

1. Completed Graduate School Application
2. Resume/Curriculum Vitae
3. Transcripts from all universities attended, with bachelors and masters degrees posted:
   • All applicants must upload unofficial or official  transcripts during the online application process, even if you are currently still working on your degree.
   • Current and previous students of MSU-Bozeman need to list MSU on the application but do not need to submit official transcripts. 
   • If the department extends an offer of admission, the Graduate School must receive official transcripts with degree(s) posted from the university(s) attended.
   • Transcripts will be evaluated for rigor and academic fit.
   • MSU requires an undergraduate/graduate GPA of at least 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale).
4. Personal Essay for the EdS: The essay should be a maximum of 2 pages in length, and respond to the following:

   • Your development and growth as an educator, including professional development;

   • Your contributions to the school and district; Your development as a leader. Specific examples are needed that clarify how you have grown as a leader and your leadership activities;

   • Your specific goals, and why the EdS would be of benefit to you/your school.

5. Personal Essay for the EdD and PhD: The essay should be a maximum of 2 pages in length, and respond to 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 

6. 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 - EdD and PhD only
   • Ability to plan and conduct research - EdD and PhD only
   • Note: At least one of the three letters must be from the candidate's PRESENT direct supervisor in his/her educational field.
7. Writing Sample for EdD and PhD applications only: 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. (not required for EDS)
8. Research and Data Analysis Skills Summary for PhD applications only:  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).
9. International Applicants: Visit the Graduate School's International Admissions site. The Department of Education does not waive the requirement for English Proficiency test scores or the $70 Graduate School Application fee. All unofficial/official transcripts must be translated and transcribed to a 4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) scale.

EdD and PhD applicants may be contacted for an interview by the program review committee.

Applicants are encouraged to contact faculty in our department whose research interest aligns and identify as a potential Chair.

Applications must be submitted via the online application system and all required documents must be submitted by the department's posted due date. Applications receivec after the due date may be reviewed for acceptance on a case-by-case basis.

Students matriculate into the EdD and PhD programs fall semester only. Applications to these programs are reviewed each year after the due date. 

EdD and PhD applications are due:   

• February 1st: Early priority deadline for those seeking graduate assistantships or an early decision.
• April 1st: Application due date