Paleontology

Students in the Paleontology program at Montana State focus on studying fossils within their geologic context, both inside the classroom and at MSU's summer field courses located across the Mountain West. Designed for students with a strong interest in geology and biology, students gain a solid understanding of geology in addition to studying invertebrate and vertebrate fossils. This program structure allows students the versatility for careers not only within paleontology but also in jobs that require geological knowledge, such as those within the petroleum industry and more.

The Earth Science major at Montana State offers four other Options Within the Major: Geography, Geology, Geographic Information Science (GIS)/Planning and Snow Science.

Study fossils across geological time, conduct hands-on fieldwork in rich formations across the Rocky Mountains and obtain the skills necessary to work in natural history museums, serve as energy resource specialists and other projects that require geologic expertise.

Freshmen will be considered for admission on the basis of their secondary school record and their English proficiency. Applicants who can prove their English language proficiency and have a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.5/4.0 on a U.S. scale will qualify for admission.

1. Complete your application. An online application can be submitted at: http://www.msuadmissions.com/international. A paper application can be downloaded and printed at International Undergraduate Application Form.
2. Pay the application fee of US$38 for the online application or US$30 for the paper application. The fee must be paid in U.S. currency. Checks should be made payable to Montana State University. The application fee will not be waived, deferred, or refunded. The fee must be paid before the application will be processed. Pay now at https://www.montana.edu/admissions/apppay.html.
3. Submit your proof of English proficiency. There are several ways this can be done. For more information, please visit our Options for Meeting the English Proficiency Admissions Requirements webpage. If a student cannot provide proof of English proficiency, we can provide conditional admission, which leads to enrolling in our intensive English program prior to beginning the academic program. Please note that students who are conditionally admitted will not be considered for scholarships until they are fully admitted and fulfill the English Proficiency Requirement. Students completing Interlink should contact OIP to request a review of their application during the final weeks of Interlink's classes for scholarship eligibility. 
4. Submit your transcripts. If you are applying as a freshman, please send us your high school transcript. If you are applying as a transfer student, please submit transcripts for all post-secondary coursework completed. Please be sure to send the front and back of your transcripts. Any transcripts that are not in English must be translated by a Certified English Translator in addition to the original transcript. We will review unofficial transcripts for admissions purposes but do require submission of official transcripts prior to registering for MSU courses. Official transcripts should be sent directly from your school to Montana State University.