Skip to main content

The Department of Communication admits students into the PhD in Communication Studies program annually, in fall semesters only. In recent years, we have sought to enroll 8-12 graduate students each fall semester. The number of students admitted varies annually based on budgetary factors external to the Department.

To apply, visit The Graduate School’s Graduate Admission website or visit the application portal. The application deadline for Fall 2025 is 11:59PM Eastern Time on Tuesday, December 3, 2024.  

If interested in public relations, advertising, journalism and related mass communication fields, please explore/contact the Hussman School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Application Materials 

The application deadline for Fall 2025 is 11:59PM Eastern Time on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. Please submit all required application materials in your online application. No materials will be accepted via email, phone, mail, fax or in-person. We are only able to consider applications that are considered complete by The Graduate School.  

The following materials and/or submissions are required by The Graduate School:  

  • Application fee: non-refundable fee of $95.00 
  • Unofficial, complete transcript  
  • Three letters of recommendation 
  • Statement of purpose  
  • Resume/CV 
  • *TOEFL or IELTS scores 
  • Community Standards Questions 
  • Supplemental program information 

*Required for international applicants only. Please see “International Applicants’ section below. 

The following materials are additionally required by the Department of Communication:  

  • The above, required statement of purpose should be a formal statement that describes your educational and professional objectives—including the broader research areas you are interested in studying—and potential focuses or questions that animate your scholarship at this point. 
  • Sample of scholarly writing under 30 pages (e.g., research paper, thesis excerpt, or other research-based writing).  
  • An abstract of 500 words or less for your scholarly writing sample (can be a separate or combined submission with your scholarly writing sample).  
  • A list of five key terms that describe your research interest.  

Application Fee 

The application fee, a non-refundable fee of $95.00, is required by The Graduate School. As mentioned above, we are only able to consider applications that are considered complete by The Graduate School. Applications are considered incomplete until the application fee is paid (among other required materials) and, therefore, are not reviewed following the admission deadline.  

The Department is unable to extend, wave or defer applications fees. However, if applicants believe that they qualify for an applications fee waiver, they may request one from The Graduate School. Please review The Graduate School’s Application Fee Wavier website for further information, eligibility and request process. 

Standardized Testing Scores 

The Department recognizes that standardized testing reproduces systemic and structural inequalities. Given the focus on social justice and transformation that underscores our collective research and teaching, we are fully committed to removing these barriers. As such, the GRE is no longer a requirement for The Graduate School or the Department. No GRE submission is needed nor will be reviewed if submitted.  

International Applicants  

Official TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for international students who have received degrees from institutions where English was not the sole language of instruction. The Department of Communication requires TOEFL scores of 100 or higher, which is higher than The Graduate School, who requires a minimum total score of 90. IELTS scores of 7 or higher are also acceptable. Scores that are no more than 2 years old will not be accepted.  

There are exceptions to this requirement that are granted from The Graduate School. The Department is not able to grant these exceptions. Please visit The Graduate School’s Instructions for Graduate Applicants (For International Applicants Only section) for further information, including exceptions. 

Fellowship and Funding 

A limited number of fellowships and funding is available from The Graduate School for admitted students. Following the admission deadline and application review, accepted students may be nominated for specific fellowships and funding opportunities to The Graduate School by the Department. The Graduate School then reviews nominations across programs and extends offers. If interested in fellowships and funding, students should express interest in the “Supplemental Questions” section of their application. Further, fellowships and funding for time within the program is determined and extended following acceptance of program admission offers.  

Post-Admission Deadline Process 

Following the admission deadline, the Admission Committee will review complete applications in December. Official offers should be extended in early January. Accepted students will then be invited to visit for Welcome Weekend in late-March to learn more about the program, faculty and students and campus.  

Accepted applicants must accept or deny their offer of admission no later than April 15. However, we greatly appreciate earlier notification, if at all possible. The number of permissible, extended offers into our program each year is often exact. Especially in the case of denying our offer of admission, advanced notice may offer space for another applicant deemed worthy of admission that was not extended an official offer of acceptance.