The program takes social scientific and critical approaches to the study of communication. The MA program is designed to further enhance the understanding of the communication process by allowing students to study various aspects of communication in greater depth. The doctoral program is designed for those interested in specializing in a specific area of communication research. The graduate program offers specializations in: Interpersonal and Family Communication; Mediated Communication; Organizational Communication; Political Communication; Health and Crisis Communication; and Identity and Diversity Communication.
Degrees Offered
Doctoral
On Campus
Admission criteria
Fall deadline: January 15
- Minimum GPA: 3.0 preferred
- Admission procedures for students who have completed the MA degree elsewhere and wish to become PhD candidates are identical to the departmental requirements outlined for MA candidates. Only those applicants who show evidence of a clear likelihood of successful doctoral work are admitted.
Minimum Language Requirements
Click here to view the minimum English language proficiency test scores
Required Application Materials
For the Graduate School
- Completed Graduate School online application
- Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
- Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)
For the Communication Program
The following items must be uploaded to your Graduate School online application:
- Communication Departmental Application (built into the Graduate School online application)
- Three letters of recommendation, which should come from qualified people (former or present instructors) who can attest to your ability to complete graduate study
- Statement of purpose (no more than 1000 words). The Department of Communication would like you to answer a specific prompt that asks direct questions. The prompt can be found in the application portal. Please review this prompt before composing your statement of purpose.
- Writing sample- should be scholarly, but can be on a topic of your choice. The sample can be relatively short, but must be no more than 25 pages.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- No Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores are required. The Department of Communication does not require the GRE as part of the admission materials. Applicants may submit GRE scores for consideration if they feel that their scores are an accurate representation of their potential to succeed in graduate school. However, applicants will be given full consideration without submitting their standardized test scores and will not be penalized for not submitting scores.
Master's
On Campus
Admission criteria
Fall deadline: January 15
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- Students who do not have an undergraduate degree in communication may be required to take course work beyond the required 30 hours to provide necessary background.
Minimum Language Requirements
Click here to view the minimum English language proficiency test scores
Required Application Materials
For the Graduate School
- Completed Graduate School online application
- Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
- Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)
For the Communication Program
The following items must be uploaded to your Graduate School online application:
- Communication Departmental Application (built into the Graduate School online application)
- Three letters of recommendation, which should come from qualified people (former or present instructors) who can attest to your ability to complete graduate study
- Statement of purpose (no more than 1000 words). The Department of Communication would like you to answer a specific prompt that asks direct questions. The prompt can be found in the application portal. Please review this prompt before composing your statement of purpose.
- Writing sample- should be scholarly, but can be on a topic of your choice. The sample can be relatively short, but must be no more than 25 pages.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- No Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores are required. The Department of Communication does not require the GRE as part of the admission materials. Applicants may submit GRE scores for consideration if they feel that their scores are an accurate representation of their potential to succeed in graduate school. However, applicants will be given full consideration without submitting their standardized test scores and will not be penalized for not submitting scores.