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The intent of the Graduate Initiative is to build a larger and more robust graduate program at The University of Montana that will be competitive with other graduate programs. This includes providing essential resources for graduate programs, changing the culture to move toward an increase in the graduate student population, increasing the number of assistantships and other forms of support, revising stipend amounts, and cultivating employers to hire UM graduates.

The Graduate Initiative is a 10-12 year plan to develop new graduate programs, provide a broader array of masters programs, increase the professional degrees and targeted certificate programs offered, double the number of graduate students, double the number of graduate assistantships, and raise stipend levels.  This is a cooperative effort with Montana State University to modify policies and develop strategic initiatives to raise the necessary resources to build graduate programs in Montana.  Cultivating employers to hire UM graduates will help to jumpstart the economy in Montana by allowing the increasing graduate student population to remain in Montana. 

The ability of the University to recruit and retain graduate students will allow this initiative to be successful.  Modify policies and University processes will assist in better serving the graduate student population.  Working to develop a more attractive graduate school webpage, moving toward nine credits for full-time status for all graduate students, and pushing for more scholarships and fellowships for graduate students are steps to recruit, retain, and provide resources for graduate students. 

Please provide your input on ways the University can better serve the graduate student population and build graduate programs at the University by emailing suggestions to umgsa@umontana.edu. 

Watch the UM Graduate Initiative Discussion Forum