Applications & Financial Aid

Requirements for Admission

All Ph.D. applicants must submit the application materials listed in the section under Graduate Study Application Requirements. The Department of Communication can accept only a small percentage of the applicants each year. Successful Ph.D. applicants typically have grade averages of B+ or better and verbal and quantitative GRE scores totaling at least 1300. While criteria for admission are rigorous, they are not rigid. The department weighs all available information, from statement of purpose to recommendations, in making its decision.

Writing samples are not required, but applicants should submit a brief resume summarizing relevant post-bachelor's work experience.

All international applicants whose first language is not English, must take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). See additional TOEFL information in general graduate admission requirements:

General Graduate Admission Requirements

Financial Aid

Fellowship Support

Fellowship support is available for 2 or 3 quarters of the first year, and various forms of support are available for subsequent years. Four years of support are guaranteed for students who are making satisfactory progress toward the degree. Forms of support include both teaching and research assistantships. If the student has completed all degree requirements except the dissertation within the four years, a fifth year of support may be available. For students matriculating in fall 2008, fellowships awarded will cover tuition and a living stipend of $6,953.

The Institute for Communication Research

The Institute is an office of project research for the faculty of the Department of Communication and operates under grants to faculty from foundations, communication media, and other agencies. Research assistantships are often available to qualified Ph.D. students in communication.