Communication
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
Communication, Master of Arts
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 English Proficiency Requirements
| Test Type | Total Score | Reading | Listening | Speaking | Writing |
| TOEFL Internet-based | 80 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
| TOEFL Paper-based | 550 | 52 | 52 | N/A | 52 |
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Minimum GRE Scores
| Test Type | Verbal | Quantitative | Analytical |
| GRE | 153 | 144 | 4.0 |
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 500 words)
- 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
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (verbal, quantitative, analytical), taken within the past five years
Communication, Doctor of Philosophy
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 English Proficiency Requirements
| Test Type | Total Score | Reading | Listening | Speaking | Writing |
| TOEFL Internet-based | 80 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
| TOEFL Paper-based | 550 | 52 | 52 | N/A | 52 |
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Minimum GRE Scores
| Test Type | Verbal | Quantitative | Analytical |
| GRE | 153 | 144 | 4.0 |
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 500 words)
- 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
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (verbal, quantitative, analytical), taken within the past five years