Admission to the Communication major is restricted.

Your overall GPA must be 2.7 or above, and in Communication classes, 2.9 or above. Your application essay is also considered. We do not accept any students with a Communication course grade below C minus.
 

How do I apply?

The following admission requirements apply only to students who entered UMass Amherst during the Fall 2011 semester or thereafter.  

Did you enter before the Fall 2011 semester?  Then click here.

First, take two courses

Although many first-year and transfer students are admitted directly into the undergraduate major, the major is restricted if you’re already a UMass Amherst student. In that case, you may apply to the major during the semester in which you complete any two of the following five courses (note that enrollment is limited). We cannot process your application until we’ve received your grades for two of these courses:

• COMM 118 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
• COMM 121 Introduction to Media and Culture
• COMM 122  Introduction to Media Programming and Institutions
• COMM 125 Introduction to Rhetoric and Performance and Social Action
• COMM 140 Introduction to Film Studies

Second, fill out an application

Anyone not directly admitted to the major must also complete and submit an application provided by the Department of Communication.

The application includes 1) an up-to-date, unofficial transcript that includes your grades in the two introductory courses, above, and 2) a written statement of your career goals and why you want to become a Communication major, and 3) if your GPA falls below our application threshold, an additional statement explaining your past academic performance. Download the form at right, or pick one up at Machmer 407A or 411.

The evaluation of the application is based primarily on:

• performance in Communication courses
• overall academic record
• the written statement(s)

Admission application procedure for students who entered UMass Amherst BEFORE Fall 2011

First, take three courses

Although many first-year and transfer students are admitted directly into the undergraduate major, the major is restricted if you’re already a UMass Amherst student. In that case, you may apply to the major during the semester in which you complete the following three courses (note that enrollment is limited). We cannot process your application until we receive your grades for these three courses:

• COMM 118 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
• COMM 121 Introduction to Media and Culture
• One analytical reasoning course, i.e. a General Education R2 course

Second, fill out an application

Anyone not directly admitted to the major must also complete and submit an application provided by the Department of Communication.

The application includes 1) an up-to-date, unofficial transcript that includes your grades in the three required courses, above, and 2) a written statement of your career goals and why you want to become a Communication major, and 3) if your GPA falls below our application threshold, an additional statement explaining your past academic performance. Download the form at right, or pick one up at Machmer 407A or 411.

The evaluation of the application is based primarily on:

• performance in Communication courses
• overall academic record
• the written statement(s)

Click here to learn about the requirements for the Communication major.