Application Process

Dr. Michael Brody, PhD  Associate Professor   brody@montana.edu

Research Interests:

• Co-editor of the International Handbook of Research in Environmental Education (2013) published by American Educational Research Association & Routledge Publishing House.
• Involvement in several successful regional, national and international curriculum development projects.

Teaching Interests:

• undergraduate elementary, middle and secondary science teaching methods. 
• graduate Educational Research methodologies and data acquisition methods.

Dr. Lauren Davis, EdD  Associate Professor  lauren.davis6@montana.edu

Research Interests:

• Trauma-Informed Care in the Educational Setting,
• Middle Level Education,
• Achievement Gap for Students in Poverty and At-Risk,
• Rural Education Initiatives

Teaching Interests:

• Educational Assessment,
• Practicum/Field Supervision/Student Teaching Supervision,
• Educational Psychology,
• Educational Technology.

Dr. Jayne Downey, PhD   Professor  jdowney@montana.edu

Research Interests: 

• Rural education,
• Preparation of prospective teachers, counselors, & leaders,
• Educational risk & resilience

Teaching Interests: 

• Rural education,
• Educational psychology,
• Teacher mentoring

Dr. Alycia Elfreich, PhD   Assistant Professor  Alycia.elfreich@montana.edu

Research Interests:

• Critical Feminist Methodologies
• Relational Methodologies
• Anti-racist Methodologies
• Justiced-centered Research

Teaching Interests:

• Multicultural Education
  Equity and Access in K-12 Public Education
• Culturally Sustaining Curriculum and Pedagogy
• Relational Pedagogy
  Critical Qualitative Research

Dr. Ann Ellsworth, PhD   Professor  ann.ellsworth@montana.edu

Research Interests:

• Literacy practices PreK-12
• Pre-service teacher knowledge, skills and dispositions

Teaching Interests:

• Early literacy fundamentals
• Literacy across the curriculum
• Writing improvement and instruction
• Literacy for English Language Learners (ELLs)

Dr. Gilbert Kalonde, PhD  Associate Professor  kalonde@montana.edu

Research Interests:

• Integration of technology in K-12 classrooms,
• Integration of Technology in Teacher Education
• Inclusive Technology for Classrooms
• Engineering Design Concepts in Education

Teaching Interests:

• Integration of Technology,
• Technology Education,
• Teaching Methods,
• Instructional Technology

Dr. Fenqjen Luo, PhD  Associate Professor  fluo@montana.edu

Teaching and Research Interests:

• Math Education

Dr. Nick Lux, EdD   Profressor  Nicholas.lux@montana.edu

Research Interests:

• Educational technology; technology integration in teacher preparation;
• K-12 STEM teaching and learning;
• technology in outdoor and adventure education;
• educational gaming design and integration;
• STEM identity and interest;
• new technologies for teaching and learning

Teaching Interests:

• Educational technology and digital learning in teacher education;
• STEM; Education research

Dr. Kris Olsen, PhD  Assistant Professor  kristofer.olsen@montana.edu

Research Interests:

• Arts Integration
• Diaspora Studies
• Decolonization
• Sound Traffic
• Music as Resistance
• Music as Transformation
• Multicultural Education
• Creativity
• Proficiency and Competency Based Education

Teaching Interests:

• Arts Education
• Interdisciplinary Teaching and Learning
• Music Theory
• Music Education
• Multicultural Education
• World Music
• Creativity

Dr. Sarah Pennington, Phd  Associate Professor  sarah.pennington2@montana.edu

Research Interests:

• children’s achievement in reading, motivation for reading, and school / classroom contextual factors that may influence both. 
• contextual factors around teachers’ beliefs about reading and self-efficacy as readers and teachers of reading,
• utilization of specific classroom instructional practices, and utilization of technology.
• learning exceptionalities in order to identify instructional practices and interventions that may be supportive of their growth as enthusiastic and able readers.
• inform educational curriculum, instruction, and policy with the overarching goal of improving literacy and educational experiences for students at multiple educational levels.
• how effectively schools meet the needs of young adolescents socially, emotionally, and academically. Through this research, I hope to inform the field of
• middle grades education .

Teaching Interests:

• Literacy,
• Literature,
• Adolescence

Dr. Leslie Rogers   Assistant Professor   Leslie.rogers1@montana.edu

Research Interests:

• Professional Development,
• Evidence-Based Writing
• Instruction and Behavioral Interventions (Greene's CPS model),
• Parent-Teacher Collaboration

Teaching Interests:

• Special Education,
• Middle Level Education,
• Writing

Dr. Christine Stanton, PhD  Professor   christine.rogers1@montana.edu

Research Interests:

• Education & Research for Social Justice
• Social Studies Education
• Community-Centered & Place-Conscious Education & Research
• Critical, Relational, & Participatory Curricula, Pedagogies, & Methodologies
• Culturally Sustaining/Revitalizing & Anti-Racist Education
• Indigenous & Anti-Colonial Education, Histories, & Ways of Knowing
• Trauma-Informed, Trauma-Responsive, & Trauma-Healing Education

Teaching Interests:

• Social Studies Teaching Methods (K-8 & 5-12; undergraduate & graduate)
• Critical, Participatory, Relational, & Community-Centered Education & Research
• Culturally Sustaining/Revitalizing, Indigenous, & Social Justice Education
• Qualitative & Applied Research Methods
• Issues & Trends in Education
• English Language Arts Teaching Methods
• Foundations of Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment

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. Three (3) Personal Essays: Each essay should be a maximum of 2 pages in length & respond to the following:
   
   • Essay 1 - Describe your career goals for the future and how you see the completion of a Master's degree as helping you achieve your goals.
   • Essay 2 - Describe your personal strengths as an educator and identify the ways in which you believe you could use your strengths to contribute to the cohort of students with whom you will be studying.
   • Essay 3 - Describe the areas in which you want & need to grow as a professional educator and/or educational researcher.  Applicants applying to the Educational Researcher track are strongly encouraged to be very precise with their research interests and indicate what faculty in our department might be a good fit as their potential advisor. 
5. Three (3) Professional References: The electronic process will prompt each recommender to submit a signed reference letter. One of the recommenders should be from your current direct supervisor. Applicants who do not have a letter from a present supervisor must provide a written explanation identifying the specific reason(s) why they are 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 and 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 by the department's posted due date.

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

The MEd application deadlines are:

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

To apply to the Curriculum & Instruction EdS or EdD 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: The essay should be a maximum of 3 pages in length, and respond to the following:
   • Describe your development as an educator, your future career goals, and how you see the completion of a Doctoral Degree in Curriculum & Instruction as helping you achieve your goals.
   • Describe your personal strengths and interests as an educator and identify the ways in which you believe you could use your strengths to contribute to the cohort of students with whom you will be studying.
   • Indicate the area of curriculum, instruction, or teacher education in which you would like to conduct research. EdD application only.
5. 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 your ability and potential as a graduate student and be able to attest to your work ethic and professionalism. References from relatives are not acceptable. 
6. Writing Sample: 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)
7. 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 and official transcripts must be translated and transcribed to a 4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) scale.

EdD 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 application documents must be submitted by the department's posted due date. Students matriculate into the EdS and EdD program fall semester. Applications to these programs are reviewed each year after the April 1st due date. Applications received after this date may be reviewed for acceptance on a case-by-case basis.

Fall Semester:  

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

 

To apply to the Curriculum & Instruction 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: Suggested length is 2-3 pages. The applicant should briefly describe 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.
5. 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
   • Ability to plan and conduct research
6. Writing Sample: 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.
7. Research and Data Analysis Skills Summary:  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).
8. 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 and official transcripts must be translated and transcribed to a 4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) scale.

PhD applicants may be contacted for an interview by the faculty 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 application documents must be submitted by the department's posted due date. Students matriculate into the PhD program fall semester only. Applications to the PhD program are reviewed each year after the April 1st due date. Applications received after this date may be reviewed for acceptance on a case-by-case basis.

Fall Semester:  

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