Graduate Application

GRE scores: Optional

Given the social scientific nature of our training and our required statistics courses, quantitative competency is a must. Thus, students applying for admission are required to demonstrate their quantitative competency. This may be demonstrated in different ways including, but not limited to, the following: quantitative GRE or GMAT score and percentile, relevant courses with grade received (e.g., quantitative research methods, advanced mathematics, or statistics courses), certification of proficiency with statistical packages or techniques, certification of completion of an online statistics course (e.g., Coursera or edX), or research experiences with quantitative methods. One indicator of competency is required, but you are welcome and encouraged to provide more.

We do not have any minimum GRE scores. However, the majority of students admitted to our graduate program have GRE scores above 156 on Verbal, 146 on Quantitative, and 4.5 on Analytical Writing subtests.  

Application Deadline is December 1st for entry the subsequent August. We do not accept applications for entry in the Spring semester.

Yes. In addition to aid available from the University office of Financial Aid, we offer paid teaching assistantships to the majority of students admitted into the graduate program. Teaching assistantships come with a tuition waiver, health/accident insurance, and an annual stipend. Research assistantships, merit-based fellowships, and scholarships are also available. Of the graduate students in the department, more than 95% receive some form of financial support.

Most students complete the MA degree in 2 years (4 semesters). Most PhD students finish their degree in approximately 4 years beyond the MA degree.

Students holding (or currently finishing) an MA degree in Communication (or a closely related social science field) should apply for the PhD program.  Students with a BA should apply for the MA program first; they can apply for the PhD while completing the MA.

No. You may take courses in any of the three areas. Your coursework is proposed to your guidance committee who approves it based on its appropriateness to your particular interests and educational needs.

No. The "mass media" component of our graduate program is focused on the social scientific study of media effects and usage. Students seeking a graduate degree in broadcast media or media production should contact the University's departments of Media Arts or Journalism.

There are approximately 25  students in the graduate program at any given point in time. These numbers fluctuate with the size of the faculty. The Department is committed to keeping the ratio of graduate students to faculty at a reasonable level so as to allow for considerable individual attention for all students in the program.

For people with an MA degree in Communication, there are a number of career options in the private and public sector. Some students have gone on to careers in personnel, human resources, marketing, advertising, public relations, and education (often at community colleges). People seeking a PhD are usually pursuing employment in an academic setting, primarily focused on research and teaching. Since a PhD is a research degree, and the University of Arizona is in the top tier of America's research universities, students often come to this graduate program seeking quality training and education in how to design and conduct research with a significant social impact. Usually such students take positions with universities after completing their degree.

The committee considers the following: a. the applicant's undergraduate GPA, and graduate GPA (if applicable),  b. GRE scores submitted by the applicant (or other relevant supports for quantitative competency), c. three letters of recommendation, d. the quality of the applicant's writing sample, e. the statement of purpose written by the applicant; is there a good fit between the applicant's educational interests and what the program has to offer in coursework and faculty expertise?

Ideally at least one or two would come from a former professor - someone who was your instructor in class and can speak to your educational skills and performance. Letters from employers and supervisors are also acceptable.