Application Materials

All applicants must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. institution or equivalent degree. The degree will typically be in the field of philosophy. Admission, sometimes provisional on taking some make-up courses, may be granted to promising applicants without undergraduate degrees in philosophy.

Graduate Admissions

All applications are made online through the Graduate School.  You can find the application portal at Applying for Graduate Admission.  The philosophy department requires in the admissions package:

• A personal statement describing the applicant's reasons for pursuing graduate study in philosophy at The University of Montana. We offer a unique degree, so the letter should explain carefully why the University of Montana is the right fit for their interests.

• Three letters of recommendation.

• A writing sample that demonstrates the applicant's philosophical abilities. A sample with environmental content is preferred, though not required.

• Official transcripts from the applicant's undergraduate institution(s).

• A 1-2 page resume highlighting certificates, awards, presentations, and other biographical experiences that demonstrate your skills and interests.

All this material, including the transcripts, goes through the official grad school portal. For administrative questions, please call the Philosophy Department Office at 406-243-2949.

Application Deadlines

If you are interested in funding for our program, the only relevant deadline is February 1st for fall admission that year. (Other deadlines may apply for financial aid outside of the philosophy department; please see the Funding section). 

We want to be clear that we only offer funding once a year for new fall admissions. If you are unsuccessful, you cannot reapply for funding in your second year. Nor can you defer a funding offer for a different semester. Nor can you get funding for spring admission. We apologize for these limitations.

If you are not interested in funding, you can apply for fall or spring admissions at any time.

For additional information please contact Professor Christopher Preston (christopher.preston@umontana.edu)