Admission

Although the Graduate School retains each applicant’s official records, decisions to accept an applicant to the graduate program in Communication and to recommend admittance to the University are made by the Department’s Graduate Admissions Committee.

The Graduate Admissions Committee is highly selective in admitting new students to the program. Decisions are based on all available information about applicants rather than on any single criterion. Grade point averages, letters of recommendation, writing sample, resume or CV, and a statement of interest in an area in which the Department has expertise are primary data for the Committee’s admissions decisions. Graduate Record Examination scores are optional but will be examined if submitted.

Most students in the program receive financial assistance (a stipend plus tuition waiver) in return for services in teaching undergraduate classes or other departmental duties.

Most students admitted to the PhD program in Communication have or are in the process of completing a Master’s degree in Communication or a related field in the social sciences or humanities. However, the PhD does not have a path straight from a Bachelor's Degree. Candidates with a Bachelor's Degree who demonstrate a strong fit with our program and who can show evidence of potential to succeed in graduate study will be closely considered by the admissions committee.