Communication Degrees Online

Graduate Assistantships
The department realizes that graduate study is expensive. If you’re admitted to the program, you can apply for a teaching or research assistantship to help meet expenses and, if you plan a career in higher education, to give you valuable experience in the classroom. Most of our doctoral students and about one third of our master’s degree students are awarded assistantships.

Many T.A.s are responsible for teaching two or three sections of the Fundamentals of Public Speaking course (COMM 110) required for all university undergraduates.

Graduate students may also be offered teaching assistantships in media courses or assist with media-production. Other assistantships in media-related areas may be available on campus, including sports information, university relations, agricultural communication, and student union services.

Graduate assistants receive a stipend and tuition waiver. The number of assistantships and stipends offered changes from year to year depending on department resources. Screening of candidates begins in February. Those wishing to be considered for assistantships must submit their application by March 1.

Admission
Students wishing to apply to the master’s program must fulfill the following requirements for consideration:
Students must hold a baccalaureate degree from a recognized university or college.

Undergraduate G.P.A. must be at least 3.25 or equivalent.

Students must have adequate study in mass communication or speech communication and show potential to undertake advanced study and research as evidenced by academic performance and experience.

If you fail to meet minimum requirements, but demonstrate potential for successful graduate study, you may be admitted as a provisional or conditional student. Students who demonstrate ability to succeed in graduate study may apply for full graduate standing after no more than 12 credits of work have been completed.

Application Requirements
Applications must include:
Three letters of recommendation
GRE scores
TOEFL scores (required for international applicants)

The department’s TOEFL score minimum must total at least 600 paper-based, 250 computer-based, or 100 internet-based. To qualify for a teaching assistantship, TOEFL score must total 650 paper-based, 280 computer-based, or 114 internet-based.

The department sets no application deadline, but several weeks are required to process applications. Students wishing to be considered for graduate assistantships must submit their applications by March 1.