Graduate School Newsletter

January 2024

Important Announcements

Did You Know? Committee, Program of Study (POS), and Graduation Application Requirements

Committee & Program of Study (POS)

The Graduate School requires all graduate students to select their graduate committee and then submit a Program of Study (POS) near the start of their degree. First, students need to select their committee and officially submit this information to the Grad School via MyInfo. Then, students submit their POS via MyInfo. A POS is a contract between the student, their committee, and the Grad School about what classes and other requirements the student needs to fulfill in order to earn their degree. For certificate students, their POS is due at the end of their first semester; for master's students, at the end of their second semester; for doctoral students, at the end of their third semester.

Graduation Application

If a student plans to graduate this semester, their Graduation Application is due February 5th. The Graduation Application is typically turned in via MyInfo or a Graduation Application (only used when a student has applied for the same degree in a prior term.)

For more information about any of these processes, please see our Program of Study & Committee Forms on the Grad School website or contact degreesandcertificates@montana.edu.

Upcoming Dates & Deadlines

Jan. 17 – First day of classes. One-credit extension deadline. 5PM ETD formatting deadline.
Jan. 23 – Last day to self-add classes online.
Jan. 30 – Last day to self-drop classes online.
Feb. 5 – Last day for students to file for Spring 2024 graduation in MyInfo or via a Graduation Application (only used when a student has applied for the same degree in a prior term.)

Funding and fellowships graphic

Funding & Fellowships

Food Security Scholarships

Food Security Scholarships provide students who experience food insecurity with a 25-pass meal plan to campus dining halls which can be used over the duration of the semester. If you are a student with barriers to accessing enough nutritious food, please consider applying. The Spring 2024 Scholarship application is open now and will close on January 24th, 2024 at 11:59pm.

Find more information and apply for the Food Security Scholarship here.

Child Care Grant Award Application Open for Spring 2024

MSU has received a Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program (CCAMPIS) grant. Part of the funds are to be used to support graduate student parents by helping pay a portion of their childcare expenses. If awarded, the dollars are directly sent on the student’s behalf to the licensed childcare program. This way, the award does not impact the student’s financial aid package.

Click here to complete theChild Care Grant Award Application.

TL1 Translational Research Training Program

The Institute of Translational Health Sciences (ITHS) TL1 program is a one-year mentored research training program in translational science for pre-doctoral students. This program creates a cross-disciplinary community of emerging researchers and provides them with specific training, career development opportunities, and team science skills to help them function effectively within translational science teams. The TL1 program is open to applicants from all disciplines and backgrounds who meet the eligibility criteria.

Cat $cholarships Portal is Now Open

The Cat $cholarship Portal is now open! See a complete list of all scholarships available to MSU students. You can filter scholarship opportunities by field of study and/or that contain the words "graduate student."

The priority application deadline is February 1, 2024.

Identify Scholarships and Research Funding for Your Graduate Education!

The MSU Graduate School maintains a Funding & Fellowships webpage listing various ways you may find funding throughout your time at MSU.

The University of Illinois has an excellent Fellowship Finder featuring awards that are open to grad students from any university. It features several filters to aid your search.

The National Research Council postdoctoral program is used by federal agencies across the country to support postdoc searches. This is a great place to look when you are close to finishing your PhD and the salaries are quite good. Quarterly application deadlines.

For more funding opportunities, visit MSU's Research Funding Opportunities and the MSU Graduate School's Funding and Fellowships webpage.

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Workshops & Events

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Offering, in Partnership with University of Montana

Tuesdays, Jan. 23, Jan. 30, Feb. 6, Feb. 13 | 11AM-1PM | Zoom Links Provided After Registration

Are you stressed as a graduate student? Give this free virtual well-being course a try! The University of Montana is offering a 4-session Skills Training course delivered on Zoom, based on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) strategies for stress management and wellness. The series will take place over four weeks, meeting once per week. For more information watch the CBT Skills Course Information Video.

MSU Research Development Day

Thursday, January 11, 2024 | 8AM-5PM | Norm Asbjornson Hall

The Office of Research Development will host Montana State University’s second annual Research Development Day on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. Research Development Day will highlight the current state of the research funding landscape; foster meaningful connections between MSU researchers, practitioners, and sponsors; and enhance the competitiveness, impact, and growth of MSU’s research enterprise.

For more information and an agenda, visit the MSU Research Development Day website.

Conflict Resolution Workshop for STEM Students

Tuesday, January 16, 2024 | 9AM-12PM | Romney Hall, Room 211

On January 16th, 2024 the MSU National Research Traineeship (NRT) program in Extreme Biofilms will host a professional development workshop for STEM graduate students on conflict resolution. This workshop covers topics like communication styles, learning how to give and receive feedback, and strategies to move forward when encountering conflict in the workplace.

MSU Library Open House 2024

Tuesday, January 16th, 2024 | 3-6PM | Renne Library

Faculty, staff, graduate students, and community members are invited to the library’s annual Open House from 3-6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 16, 2024. Attendees will enjoy food and beverages, listen to music, and explore the services offered by MSU Library and its Open House event partners. Fantastic door prizes will be offered, and there will be a cash bar.

For more information, see the Library Open House calendar announcement.

Professional Development: GradCat 360

GradCat 360 is a comprehensive professional development program for graduate students at Montana State University. It is a series of programs and events designed by the Graduate School and departments across campus that center around nine focus areas. These areas are tailored to help students cultivate a unified set of skills and knowledge for educational success and professional preparation.

Check out our GradCat 360 Event Calendar, specifically curated for Graduate Students. We are constantly updating the GradCat 360 calendar with workshops and events that are uniquely useful for graduate students.

MSU Writing Center

The MSU Writing Center offers ongoing support to students working on graduate-level writing.