Montana Technological University Graduate School: Current Student Resources

✓ Regular Check-Ins

Master of Science (MS)

• Meet with your committee at least once per year.

• Committees provide mentoring and resources toward your degree.

• See the Graduate Student Handbook for details on committee composition.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

• The PhD combines advanced coursework with a research project (dissertation).

• Register for:

  • Pre-exam dissertation credits (before candidacy exam)

  • Dissertation credits (after candidacy exam)

• Dissertation credits may count toward full-time status and assistantship eligibility.

• Finalize your advisor and thesis topic as early as possible (topic should align with your interests, your advisor’s, and funding availability).

• Form your research committee early — they provide expertise, resources, and guidance.

• Begin research promptly; meet regularly with your advisor and periodically with your committee.

📌 Check your program-specific handbook for course and program requirements:

• Materials Science Ph.D.

• Earth Science & Engineering Ph.D.

📚 Examinations

Ph.D. Qualifying Examinations (QE)

Materials Science (Ph.D.)

• Taken August after the 1st year.

• Format: Proctored written exam, in coordination with Montana State University.

• Preparation:

  • Consistent class attendance & good study habits.

  • Ask professors questions throughout the semester, not just before exams.

  • Form a summer study group (recommended).

• Passing criteria and retake policies → see the Graduate School Handbook.

• Exam format and study tips are updated periodically → check here for latest info.

Earth Science & Engineering (Ph.D.)

• Taken at the end of the 4th semester.

• Format:

  • Write an independent research proposal (must differ from your dissertation topic).

  • Oral defense before your committee.

  • Committee questions cover proposal + knowledge breadth in Earth Science & Engineering.

• Preparation steps:

  1. Confirm proposal topic differs from dissertation.

  2. Write and submit proposal to committee.

  3. Present proposal to committee.

  4. Answer proposal-specific questions.

  5. Answer broader Earth Science & Engineering questions.

Candidacy / Comprehensive Examinations

Materials Science (Ph.D.) & Earth Science & Engineering (Ph.D.)

• Taken after QE.

• Purpose:

  1. Show you can design an original, creative research project.

  2. Demonstrate effective communication (oral & written).

  3. Establish a research plan + timeline, reviewed by committee.

Materials Science (Ph.D.)

• Typically before start of 3rd year.

• Format:

  • Written dissertation proposal.

  • Oral defense → open seminar + closed committee interview.

• Best practices:

  • Schedule a pre-meeting with committee.

  • Give committee ≥1 week to review proposal.

After Passing the Exam:

• You become a PhD Candidate.

• Register for dissertation credits (for full-time status & assistantship eligibility).

• Continue regular advisor and committee meetings.

• Once milestones are completed, draft your dissertation and schedule defense.

📝 Required Paperwork

Submit to gradschool@mtech.edu after passing candidacy/comprehensive exam:

• Results of Candidacy/Comprehensive Examination (all PhD programs)

• Graduate Product Rubric (all PhD programs)

To Announce Your Exam, email gradschool@mtech.edu with:

• Student Name

• Degree Program

• Academic Advisor

• Type of Exam

• Exam Date, Time, and Location

✓ Degree Applications 

• When to Apply: Submit the semester before you plan to graduate.

  • Example: If graduating in Summer but walking in Spring Commencement, submit at the beginning of the Spring semester.

• Requirements for Submission:

  • All required signatures obtained.

  • Business fee paid in full.

• Application for Master of Science/Master of Engineering Degree 
• Application for Master of Science/Master of Engineering Degree Update
• Application for Masters of Industrial Hygiene Professional Track Degree
• Application for Ph.D. Degree 

🎓 Graduation Requirements 

To graduate, you must:

1. Submit your Degree Application (by deadline noted above).

2. Be on schedule to complete coursework as approved in your Graduate Program Form

3. Successfully complete your program’s final product requirement:

   • Thesis, Dissertation, or Publishable Paper → must meet Thesis Deadlines

   • OR successfully complete your non-thesis program requirements (per program handbook).

✅ Step 1: Write the Graduate Product

All graduate students must complete a graduate product (thesis, dissertation, publishable paper, or Program-Specific product).

Templates & Formatting

• Thesis/Publishable Paper Template

  • Thesis Template LaTeX (Zip)

• Dissertation Template

  • ESE students → substitute “Earth Science & Engineering” for “Materials Science” on the title page.

Formatting Guidance:

• Publishable papers → must be imported into the thesis template.

  • Add a footnote in the Introduction noting where the paper will be (or was) submitted.

  • Include submission info in acknowledgements.

• Supporting data files may be submitted with the product → check with your department for formatting.

• Submit a draft to gradschool@mtech.edu for a preliminary format check.

  • No deadline, but recommended with pre-defense copy.

  • Graduate School checks only for common formatting issues, format check is not in depth.

  • Review the Common Formatting Issues Guide before submission.

Non-Thesis Programs & Final Products

• Master of Science Option B: Product → Completion of program requirements = final product.

• Master of Project Engineering & Management (MPEM) → Written + oral presentation in MPEM 521 (final product).

• Masters in Industrial Hygiene Professional Track (MIHP) → Final oral/written exam = final product.

• Master of Engineering (MEng) → 1-credit final exam (ENGR 500) = final product.

✅ Step 2: Defend the Graduate Product

Who Must Defend?

• Master of Science Option A (Thesis or Publishable Paper): Defense required.

• Master of Science Option B (Product): Defense not required (unless advisor/department requires).

• Non-Thesis Degrees: Defense not required (see program requirements).

Scheduling & Announcing the Defense

• Must occur within Thesis Deadlines.

• Schedule early → faculty have limited availability near semester ends & during summer.

• Reserve a room via 25Live once committee agrees on date/time.

• Email the following 2 weeks prior to gradschool@mtech.edu:

  • Student Name

  • Degree Program

  • Academic Advisor

  • Title of Defense

  • Date, Time, Location

  • Abstract

  • Zoom/Teams Link (if applicable)

At the Defense:

• Committee evaluates your product & documents successful completion using required graduation forms.

Extensions:

• Granted only in exceptional cases.

• Submit a Petition to the Dean Form ASAP if unable to meet deadlines.

✅ Step 3: Finalize & Publish the Product

Revisions & Submission

• Complete all required revisions from your committee.

• Submit final version to the Graduate School.

• Graduate School checks template compliance only (not full content review).

• Review Common Formatting Issues

Publication

• Graduate School manages the publication process after graduation is confirmed.

• Timeline: usually 1–2 months post-graduation (unless publication delay requested).

• Where it will be published:

  • Thesis, Publishable Papers, Dissertations → Montana Tech Digital Commons + ProQuest

  • MS Option B Products → Montana Tech Digital Commons

Optional Hard Copies

• Graduate School provides 1 library archival copy.

• Departments/advisors may request additional copies.

• Students can:

  • Order extra copies through the Thesis/Dissertation Copy Order Form

  • Or order directly from ProQuest (shipped to your address).

Graduation Deadlines ✓

• Review all graduate product deadlines, defense deadlines, and the required Graduation Canvas course here. 

• Missing deadlines may postpone graduation.

  • If you cannot meet deadlines, submit a Petition to the Dean Form to gradschool@mtech.edu before the deadline.

  • Extensions are granted only in exceptional circumstances.

Required Graduation Paperwork ✓

All signatures must be completed and compiled for forms to be processed by the Graduate School.

Master of Science: Option A - Thesis/Publishable Paper

• Graduate Program Form - pre-required due second semester of graduate school
• Committee Appointment Form - pre-required due second semester of graduate school
• Graduate Student Product Publication Agreement – obtain signatures after successful defense and complete product
• Graduate Product Rubrics - not required for on-campus Industrial Hygiene; supply to committee members to complete during defense
• Checkout Form – obtain signatures after successful defense and complete product. The Graduate School will sign the checkout form once all graduation paperwork has been recieved
• Final thesis/publishable paper in pdf form with M.S. Thesis/Publishable Paper Signature Sheet
  

Master of Science: Option B - Product

• Graduate Program Form - pre-required due second semester of graduate school
• Committee Appointment Form - pre-required due second semester of graduate school
• Graduate Student Product Publication Agreement

• Checkout Form 
• Final product in pdf form 

Ph.D.

• Committee Appointment Form - pre-required due second semester of graduate school
• Graduate Program Form - pre-required due second semester of graduate school
• Graduate Student Product Publication Agreement – obtain signatures after successful defense and complete product
• Graduate Product Rubrics - supply to committee members to complete during defense
• Results of Dissertation Defense - obtain committee signatures directly after defense
• Checkout Form – obtain signatures after successful defense and complete product. The Graduate School will sign the checkout form once all graduation paperwork has been recieved
• Final dissertation in pdf form with Ph.D. Dissertation Signature Sheet 

Master of Project Engineering and Management

• Graduate Program Form - pre-required due second semester of graduate school
• No other graduation paperwork is required

Masters Industrial Hygiene Professional Track

• IH Program Form - pre-required due second semester of graduate school, please contact your advisor for this form
• No other graduation paperwork is required

Master of Engineering

• Graduate Program Form - pre-required due second semester of graduate school
• No other graduation paperwork is required

Post-Graduation Information ✓

Updating Address:

• To change your diploma address after graduation → email enrollment@mtech.edu

Diplomas:

• Mailing takes 3–5 months post-graduation.

• For concerns, contact enrollment@mtech.edu