How to Apply
Where to Begin
To begin the application process, complete the online application via the Graduate College. Electronic submission of documents must be made through the online application on the Graduate College’s web page. Applications are not accepted through any other means.
The Graduate Committee evaluates applications on several dimensions.
- How well the applicant will fit with our School and how well the resources of the School will enable the applicant to reach their professional goals. Applicants are encouraged to articulate their fit with the School and their specific area of interest in their personal statement.
- Prior academic success, both at the bachelor’s level and the master’s level. Students who have completed or are enrolled in a master’s program in communication or a related field are preferred. Students holding a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and who show extraordinary potential as a graduate student can apply for direct admission to our doctoral program following normal admission procedures.
- Writing skills. All samples of writing should be authored only by the applicant. Applicants are encouraged to use their personal statement to demonstrate strong compositional skills and ability to tell a compelling narrative about themselves and their future goals. They are also encouraged to use their writing sample to display their ability to use theory and methodology in academic writing.
- Prior research, teaching, professional, and/or services or community engagement experience. Applicants should highlight in their curriculum vita/resume previous experience that is substantial and related to success as a researcher, teacher, and/or practitioner of communication in academic, professional, or community contexts.
- Letters of support. Letters that are highly indicative of the potential for success as a doctoral student are invited. Usually these letters are from a personal who holds a post at a university, non-profit organization, corporation, or governmental office who can attest to the scholarly abilities of the applicant. Three letters of support should be arranged by the applicant.
Our competitive program fills approximately ten funded positions each year. We do offer admission without funding to qualified individuals who have secure funding through other resources. However, we try to maintain a cohort size of 12 students or fewer. We expect all full-time students to begin the program Fall semester.
There are two kinds of funding sources that can alleviate the cost of pursuing a PhD in Communication Studies. Our School offers graduate assistantships that include tuition waivers for most of our PhD students. All PhD students are also encouraged to apply for special funding opportunities.
Deadlines
The deadline to apply for the COMS Doctoral Program is January 1, 2025.
While most of the application process is performed online, any items sent by postal mail must be received by January 1 for the fullest consideration. International applicants should ship any mailed items no later than December 10. The committee will begin reviewing applications mid-January.
It is recommended that any materials being mailed are shipped with a service that provides tracking information. The US Postal Service's Express Service, DHL, FedEx, and UPS all include door-to-door tracking.
While we will continue to review applications until all funded positions are filled, incomplete applications may not receive full consideration by the committee.
Decision-Making Timeline
The Graduate Committee will begin extending offers to candidates mid-February and will continue through the end of April. The order in which we make offers depends on a number of factors including how many assistantships we have available, specialized needs of the School, and undetermined numbers of graduating students prior to the upcoming academic year. We work as expeditiously as possible and try to ensure that all applicants are given due consideration.
Start Date
All graduate teaching assistants are required to attend a two-week orientation during the weeks prior to the opening of Fall semester. Information about the workshop will be included in the letter of appointment and in special mailings during the summer. All graduate students, regardless of rank or status, are expected to attend. Participation in the workshop is especially important for graduate students who hope to receive an appointment as a teaching assistant at a later date or whose future plans include college teaching. Because an assistantship carries a fee waiver and a stipend, assistantship recipients are required to enroll in 12 graduate credit hours for each semester they are receiving an assistantship.