PhD in Communication Admissions Information

• Part-Time Admission: January 15th
• Full-Time Admission: January 15th

• Full-Time Admission: NOT ACCEPTED
• Part-Time Admission: October 15th

SCFMS makes admission decisions for applicants to the Ph.D. program. Admissions are highly selective and require strong intellectual abilities and a mature commitment to research and praxis.  

Application materials should be submitted online. When all materials have been received, the application will be reviewed for an admissions decision. Applicants will receive electronic written notification of the admission decision. Before admission to the University is complete, all international students must fulfill US Immigration and Naturalization Service requirements and register with the UC Office of International Student Services. 

Interested students apply to SCFMS to begin taking graduate courses. The Graduate College at UC does not operate as a central admissions office. At the School level, admission requirements include minimum and preferred qualifications. There are circumstances when a provisional admittance may be considered (e.g., when the MA is not yet completed when applying but is anticipated before the start of doctoral studies); however, this would be on a case-by-case basis.

• Completion of master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Communication or related major by the program start date 
• Graduate GPA of 3.2 is preferred 
• For students for whom English is not the first language, submission of official IELT score of 6.5 overall or higher, or TOEFL score of 75 or higher
• The Duolingo English test has been approved and the minimum required score is 110.

• TOEFL score of 80 or higher, IELT score of 7.0 overall or higher, and for other admissible tests, see “International Student Admission below” 

• For everyone, graduate school grades are typically higher than a GPA of 3.2 and will be considered accordingly. 

Applications to the program will be submitted online through the University of Cincinnati Graduate College webpage (http://grad.uc.edu/admissions.html). We encourage all applicants to begin the application process well before the deadline, so that all items are ready for review by our committee by the deadline. 

In order to apply, students must submit the following: 

• Cover Letter indicating that you are interested in the full-time program, the term for which you are applying, and your interest in a Graduate Assistantship. You can address the letter to the Admissions Committee.  
• Resume/Vita outlining educational and work experience, as well as contact information. 
• Goal Statement (Generally, 3-6 double-spaced pages). This statement is very important. We want to ensure that your educational and professional background and goals are a good fit with our program. Your letter should discuss 1) how your academic and professional background prepares you to do well in the program, 2) the specific reasons you are interested in studying communication and, if relevant, social justice (including the topics and sub-areas of interest or faculty with whom you would like to work) and in joining our program, as well as 3) how your time in the program will help you to meet your academic, activist, or professional goals. In addition to assessing your fit with the program, this statement is a way for us to assess your explanatory abilities. 
• Writing Sample. Include a sample that demonstrates your writing skills. Academic writing is preferred, which includes the use of citations (e.g., thesis prospectus. course paper, conference paper, or paper submitted for publication). However, professional writing is also acceptable. You may wish to include two samples if the writing is relatively short
• Academic Transcripts. This should be from all previously attended graduate and undergraduate institutions. Your official transcripts are required only after admission to the program. Inconsistencies between your self-reported and official transcript would be grounds for dismissal.  
• Letters of Reference. Provide the contact information for three recommenders who have agreed to write in support of the applicant's motivation and ability to undertake doctoral study. As noted in preferred qualifications, when possible, you should seek letters from former professors or someone who can speak to your academic ability. The application system will generate an electronic invitation for recommenders to submit their letters online. Please follow-up with your recommenders to ensure they have submitted by the deadline.