Dean's Assistantships

This award supports advanced mentored research by undergraduates in the social sciences. Nominees must be students who will be junors or seniors during the 2026-27 academic year with majors in the College of Social Science. To be awarded Fall 2026.

Please complete this application, along with supporting materials, by February 1, 2026.

Please use the Information Sheet for Guidelines to aid in filling out the application.

NOTE: You will need to have BOTH your Faculty Sponsor AND your department Chair/Director sign your abstract prior to submitting your application online.

Name*

First NameLast Name

PID

MSU Student ID#

Department/School*

Example: Department of Psychology, School of Social Work, Center for Integrative Studies

MSU E-mail*

Class Standing:*

Junior (56 - 87 Cr.)Senior (88 + Cr.)

Cell Phone *

Area CodePhone Number

Local Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip CodeCountry

Degree Program*

College of Social Science Primary Major or Second Degree

Advisor*

Date of First Enrollment*

Anticipated Graduation date:*

Faculty Research Sponsor*

Faculty Research Sponsor Email*

example@example.com

Faculty Department*

Please include with your application:

1. ABSTRACT - A brief overview of your project helps to orient the Committee to what will follow. One page is sufficient. Provide a brief statement of the background or context in which your research is set, a statement of the hypothesis (or hypotheses) which you will test, the experiment or project which you will carry out to evaluate the hypothesis, and the way in which the data or evidence will be examined in order to evaluate the hypothesis. Finally, include a brief statement about the scholarly significance of your research. NOTE: BOTH YOUR FACULTY SPONSOR AND YOUR DEPARTMENT CHAIR/DIRECTOR MUST SIGN YOUR ABSTRACT.*

Upload a File

Example Abstract

2. INTRODUCTION - The introduction should be a review of the scholarship related to your proposed research. Although the final written report of your project should include a scholarly review of relevant literature, the literature review in the proposal is usually far less comprehensive. The introduction should also make the case for the significance of the problem.*

Upload a File

3. METHODOLOGY - The methods section should describe the methods you will use to gather data or evidence. A rule of thumb is to include everything that someone else would need to know to replicate your work. If some decisions about the details of the methodology will depend upon work that you will carry out early in the project, be sure to discuss those decisions and how you will go about making them. Finally, acknowledge any rules regarding research with humans or animals with which your research must and will comply, including compliance with MSU's Institutional Review Board (IRB) policies and procedures.*

Upload a File

4. OUTCOMES - State the specific research product(s) that you will submit to your faculty sponsor at the end of the assistantship [usually an article-length paper, but other formats are acceptable upon approval]. Explain the potential significance of the work, what future research or publications you anticipate will result from it and whether you believe it will stimulate further scholarly inquiry within your field.*

Upload a File

5. BIBLIOGRAPHY - List the references that you cited or consulted to prepare your proposal.*

Upload a File

6. Resume*

Upload a File

7. LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION - The role of the faculty sponsor is critical to the success of your project. Although you are expected to take primary responsibility for carrying out your project, it is inevitable that the wisdom, expertise, and resources of your faculty research sponsor will be called upon frequently as you proceed with your work. Although there is not necessarily a "best" model for the arrangement between student and sponsor to ensure appropriate faculty involvement, in most cases students should expect to have significant contact with their sponsor at least bi-weekly. The associate dean for Undergraduate Studies require evidence of that degree of commitment from your faculty research sponsor. This should include a specific statement of contact hours between student and faculty and a detailed statement of the form and frequency of reports and delivery of written work. The associate dean also wants to know your sponsor's appraisal of your strengths and weaknesses, and his/her opinion of your ability to carry out the project that you have proposed.

Upload a File

If the author of the Letter of Recommendation requires the letter sealed and delivered to the college office, please drop-off or mail to the College of Social Science, Office of Undergraduate Studies, 509 E. Circle Drive, Berkey Hall, Room 202, East Lansing, MI 48824; or they may email the letter to SSC.Student@msu.edu.

You may create a placeholder document to complete this section (by using the "Upload a File" link below). The placeholder document must include the name of who is providing the recommendation, title, department/school, email, and date requested.

NOTE: It is the student's responsibility to make sure the letter is received in 202 Berkey Hall prior to the deadline. If the letter is not received by the deadline, the application will be considered incomplete and rejected.

Reminder for applicants: Submission of a nomination gives the selection committee permission to review your academic and financial aid records.

Signature of Applicant

If you cannot sign above, please print your full name here instead.

Example: Sparty M. Spartan

Application for the Dean's Assistantship