HHP Graduate Programs
Ph.D. Individualized Interdisciplinary Program (IIP)
The interdisciplinary studies program at The University of Montana allow students to work with faculty in the design of a graduate curriculum tailored to their unique academic, creative and professional needs. Because of the unusual nature of these programs, they carry a number of special admission and programmatic limitations that are described at the Graduate School IIP web site (http://www.umt.edu/grad/programs/interdisciplinary/default.htm).
Students interested in the IIP program with an emphasis on exercise science or health promotion should clearly understand all of the requirements and follow all of the procedures outlined by the Graduate School. Of primary importance is finding a committee chair and four additional faculty members to be on a committee, one of whom must come from a program with a stand-alone Ph.D. program (which HHP does not have). The HHP department faculty have chaired and been committee members for a number of IIP Ph.D. students who have successfully completed their Ph.D. The number of IIP Ph.D. students focusing on an area in the HHP dept. who are accepted is very small and students must develop s strong working relationship with a faculty member and have that faculty member’s support prior to applying.
The IIP is focused on allowing the student to bring forward a problem or series of problems to research. The student must seek out faculty with the resources and expertise to assist them in defining and executing the research goals and the skills and competencies (objectives) needed to reach those goals.
Requirements for an HHP centered IIP program (beyond those of the Graduate School)
- 45 credits beyond the master's degree, comprehensive exam and a dissertation.
- A strong background in a field related to the interests of a HHP faculty member.
- Willingness of a HHP faculty member to act as the student chair and mentor.
- Resources and funding available through research grants to support the student. (Note: HHP has no assistantships or other funding for IIP Ph.D. students other than that available through research grants.)