Graduate

How to Apply to the Graduate Program

Questions?

These instructions are for those wishing to apply to the MA or PhD in Mass Communication. If you have questions, please contact graduate student services at [email protected].

 

Application Deadlines

Fall 2024 Admissions Update: Applications for Fall 2024 Admissions are no longer being accepted for the Mass Communication M.A. and Ph.D. graduate programs. Deadline: Our application deadline for Fall 2024 admissions was December 15, 2023. Incomplete applications or applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted or reviewed. The application period for Fall 2025 admissions will begin in September 2024 and this page will reflect our program requirements for Fall 2025 admissions. If you have additional questions about the application process, please email Kassie Snyder at [email protected].

 

 

Fall 2024 Admissions Requirements 

All applicants to the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication's academic graduate program must upload all materials to the Graduate School Online Application. To get started, visit the graduate admission site.

Applications to the HSJMC are accepted for fall semester admission only.

We will not be requiring or accepting GRE scores. Please do not include them in your admissions materials. 

Your application and all supporting materials must be uploaded to the application website by 11:59 p.m. on the application deadline date. Applications submitted after the deadline date will not be reviewed and the application fee will not be refunded. Please read and follow the application instructions carefully. Applications will be processed only when they are complete. All materials are uploaded online. Do not send application materials to the HSJMC; doing so may result in late or incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

The following materials are required before the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication will evaluate your application for admission:

How to Apply

1. Graduate school online application and fee

Submit the graduate school online application and fee. Select "Mass Communication MA" or "Mass Communication PhD" from the drop down menu. Do not choose "Communication Studies."

View Application

2. Transcripts

Unofficial transcripts or academic records from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended should be uploaded directly to the online application (in the Academic History section). International students should also upload an English translation if the transcript is not in English. Please do not mail paper copies of your transcripts; there is no need for official transcripts or academic records for initial review.

3. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores

The TOEFL score is required for international applicants whose native language is not English and who have not completed 24 quarter or 16 semester credits in residence as a full-time student at a recognized institution of higher learning in the United States. The minimum TOEFL score for admission to the HSJMC is 79. Our institution code is 6874. You must also self-report your TOEFL (or IELTS) scores. Enter in the Test Scores section in the Graduate School Online Application.

The Graduate School's guide on accepted scores and/or education requirements can be found here: https://grad.umn.edu/admissions/application-instructions/international-student-resources/english-language-proficiency

4. Statement of Purpose

Upload your statement of purpose to the “Personal Statement” section in the Graduate School Online Application. Before submitting your Statement of Purpose, please review our Best Practices for Writing a Statement of PurposeInstructions: This should be a two- to three-page statement and should explicitly address the following two questions: (1) What are your specific academic and research interests and career goals, and how have your lived experiences shaped these interests and aims? 2) How do you see our program helping you achieve these goals, and which current graduate faculty members are a good fit for your intended program of study? 

5. Diversity Statement

This statement is optional.

6. Resume or Curriculum Vitae

Upload your resume/CV to the “Resume/CV” section in the Graduate School Online Application.

7. Samples of work

MA applicants should submit one or two papers written for courses. PhD applicants must submit a copy of their master's thesis or equivalent research papers at the graduate level. All submitted academic work must be written in English. Creative work or professional clips should not be sent as a part of your writing sample. Upload samples of work to the “Writing Samples” if needed.

8. Description of Research

You do not need to upload anything here. This information should be included in the “Statement of Purpose.”

9. Departmental application for admission

Complete the Department Application. Download the form and save it to your computer, fill in the fields, and upload the completed form to Graduate Program Additional Materials link in the Graduate School Online Application. 

10. Recommendation letters

Three letters of recommendation from persons well-acquainted with your academic work are required. At least one of these letters should be from an undergraduate advisor, major professor, or department chair who appraises the applicant's capabilities for graduate work. For PhD applicants, one of the three letters should be from the major advisor at the graduate level. For instructions on uploading these letters, click on the “Recommendations” link in the Graduate School Online Application. Your recommenders will upload the letters themselves. 

 

Application Review Process

The review process for all complete MA and PhD applications begins soon after the HSJMC deadline, making it imperative that application materials arrive on time. Every effort is made to notify applicants of admission decisions by early spring.

Admission to the MA and PhD programs can be competitive. The average grade-point average of those admitted in recent years is 3.50 for MA students and 3.75 for PhD students. 

Readmission

If your active student status has lapsed and you wish to resume graduate work in Strategic Communication, you must seek readmission to the HSJMC graduate program. If the HSJMC graduate faculty and the College of Liberal Arts approve your readmission application, you will be reinstated to continue working toward a MA or PhD degree in Strategic Communication.

There is no set deadline for applications for readmission and all readmission applications will be reviewed by the HSJMC Graduate Affairs Committee on a rolling basis. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Readmission is not guaranteed, and all students readmitted to the program must comply with the current University of Minnesota, CLA, and HSJMC Graduate Program Policies, and satisfy all conditions to the readmission (e.g., additional course work or any specific degree completion requirements) imposed by the advisor and Director of Graduate Studies within the allowed time period. All prior course work will be reviewed by the advisor and Director of Graduate Studies to determine how many and what specific courses need to be retaken and completed after readmission.

Submit the following information to the Graduate Student Services Office in 110 Murphy Hall.

Hubbard School Readmission Application Requirements

  1. Express Readmit application
  2. Resume or curriculum vitae
  3. Transcripts from each institution attended at the undergraduate and graduate levels
  4. Letter of support by your former advisor or any graduate faculty member in HSJMC who will serve as your advisor if you are readmitted
  5. Personal statement including the following information:
  • Reasons for the lapse and justification for readmission
  • Advisor and possible committee members for your MA or PhD thesis
  • Concrete plan for degree completion with timeline and expected graduation date