A1.000 - Admission Decisions

The academic programs make the initial evaluation of applications and then submit a recommendation to the Graduate School regarding possible admission.

A1.100 - Admission is competitive and the faculty and the Graduate School weigh several factors in making admission decisions: undergraduate grades, test scores, the appropriateness of previous academic training, and the availability of space, facilities, faculty, and other resources.

A1.200 - All credentials become the property of The University of Montana and will not be returned.

A1.300 - Participation in a master's program does not guarantee eventual admission to a doctoral program.

A2.000 - Provisional Admission

The academic program may recommend a student for provisional admission to the Graduate School for either a single term or an academic year. Provisional admission is given when the student might not be competitive in one or more admission criteria, but nevertheless shows promise. The provisional status provides a trial period wherein the student can demonstrate they can perform in the graduate program.

A2.100 - The academic program may determine there are certain deficiencies or prerequisite courses that the student must take during the provisional period.

A2.200 - The provisional status must be removed by the Graduate School on the recommendation of the academic program anytime after the first term, but no later than the day before the beginning of the third term.

A2.300 - Except for the assignment of teaching assistantships by some departments, provisional admission carries no restrictions regarding financial aid, credit loads, course selection, or other special limitations.

A2.400 - International students can be admitted provisionally to a degree program if their English language skills do not meet admission standards. They may not take classes in their major but will take ESL (English as a Second Language) classes until they meet admission standards.

A3.000 - Equal Opportunity

The University of Montana is committed to a program of equal opportunity for education, employment and participation in University activities without regard to race, color, sex, age, religious creed, political ideas, marital or family status, physical or mental disability, national origin or ancestry, or sexual orientation.

A4.000 - Students with Disabilities

The University is committed to providing programs that are accessible and usable by students with disabilities. Applicants and students with disabilities will be provided with reasonable modifications and accommodations. Applicants and students who seek a reasonable modification should begin the process by registering with the Office of Disability Equity (ODE). University policy as well as federal and state law prohibits retaliation against anybody for exercising their right to request a reasonable modification or accommodation.

A5.000 - Health History

A self-report medical history, sent upon admission, must be submitted to the Curry Health Center before the student's first registration. Students born after December 31, 1956 must submit a certificate of immunization against Rubella and measles (Rubeola). Students will not be allowed to register until the Curry Health Center has received proof of immunization.

A6.000 - Admission for International Students

International students should apply at least 6 months before the program's application deadline.

A6.100 - Applicants whose native language is not English must submit TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or MET (Michigan English Test) scores to be admitted as a graduate nondegree or graduate degree seeking student. Applicants scoring higher than 550 on the TOEFL PBT (the TOEFL PBT is no longer administered as of October 2017), the replacement TOEFL-Paper Delivered Test will be accepted in place of the PBT: 80 on the TOEFL IBT, 9 on the TOEFL Essentials, 58 on the MET, or 6.5 on the IELTS may be unconditionally admitted to a university graduate program, provided they meet that program's application standards. The Graduate School will not accept the TOEFL ITP test for admission. If applicants have lower scores, they can apply for conditional admission, provided they are academically eligible, and their score is above 525 on the TOEFL PBT, 71 on the TOEFL IBT, 7.5 on the TOEFL Essentials, 52 on the MET, or 6.0 IELTS.  Graduate students conditionally admitted to the university must be enroll in the English Language Institute (ELI), and then score sufficiently high on an English proficiency exam to gain unconditional admission to the university.  Applicants should consult with individual programs to see if there are higher standards for English proficiency in their chosen program. 

A6.200 - Applicants who are graduates of English-speaking universities are not required to take the TOEFL, IELTS or MET, however, applicants must submit scores for the graduate administration test required by the program (i.e. GRE/GMAT). In some programs the TOEFL, IELTS or MET scores may substitute for GRE scores (check with the department).

A6.300 - Before issuing a visa form, the Graduate School must receive a certified financial statement from a bank or sponsoring agency.

A7.000 - Enrollment in Graduate Courses for Senior and Post-Baccalaureate Seniors

Post-baccalaureates and seniors holding a 3.0 (or greater) grade point average may, with consent of instructor, enroll in 500-level courses for undergraduate credit. Variance from these requirements cannot be petitioned, except in the cases of approved Accelerated Master’s Degrees (see Policy C5.300).

A8.000 - Early Admission

Undergraduates of The University of Montana requiring six or fewer credits to complete the bachelor's degree may be admitted provisionally to the Graduate School, taking the GRE [GMAT] at the earliest opportunity and completing the bachelor's degree within one semester. Undergraduate credits taken in this status will be charged at the graduate rate. This policy does not apply to those students in one of the approved programs listed in C5.300. In addition, an MOU with Carroll College allows undergraduate students to be admitted to UM’s MPA program when they have attained senior status (or the equivalent of 105 credits) with a GPA of 3.5 and met the other requirements for admission to the MPA program.

• During this semester as an early admitted graduate student you will not be eligible for financial aid. 

A9.000 - Graduate Nondegree Status

If a student is not seeking a graduate degree or has not been accepted to the Graduate School, they may enroll as a Graduate Nondegree student on a space-available basis.

A9.100 - To apply, see instructions on the Apply section of the Graduate School web site.

A9.200 - Up to nine semester graduate nondegree credits (or the graduate nondegree credits earned during a single semester, whichever is more) may apply toward a subsequent graduate degree program, with the approval of the students program chair and the Graduate Dean.

A9.300 - Acceptance as a Graduate Nondegree student does not imply future admission to a degree program.

A9.400 - Students do not earn graduate credit in a post-baccalaureate status.

A9.500 - A student may not be admitted to both non-degree and degree status within a single semester.  Students enrolled in a nondegree status at the time of acceptance into a degree program will be admitted to the degree program for the following semester.

A10.000 - Visiting Graduate Student

Visiting Graduate Student status is offered for one year to students admitted to graduate study elsewhere. A statement of graduate status from the graduate dean is required. Credits earned under visiting status are considered graduate nondegree credits. Contact the Graduate School for application materials and procedures.

A11.000 - Council of Graduate Schools Resolution Regarding Scholars, Fellows, Trainees and Assistants

Students are under no obligation to respond to offers of financial support prior to April 15. In those instances in which a student accepts an offer before April 15, and subsequently desires to withdraw that acceptance, the student may submit in writing a resignation of the appointment at any time through April 15. However, an acceptance given or left in force after April 15 commits the student not to accept another offer without first obtaining a written release from the institution to which a commitment has been made. Similarly, an offer by an institution after April 15 is conditional on presentation by the student of the written release from any previously accepted offer.