Frequently Asked Questions

Graduate

Can graduate students take courses in other departments?
Yes, graduate students are encouraged to take courses outside the department. However, there are several required courses that must be taken before graduation. Please consult your advisor before registering for courses outside the department.

What are the requirements for a PhD degree?
See the Graduate Handbook for information.

Does the department offer research assistantships?
Faculty members who obtain grants may hire research assistants. The number varies from year to year, and hiring decisions are made by the individual faculty member rather than the department.

What other research opportunities are available to graduate students?
Most faculty members are glad to work with students, and many have published work in collaboration with them.

Financial Support

What percentage of graduate students receive financial support?
We attempt to support all of our graduate students who are making good progress in the program. This normally means 4 or 5 years of support while students obtain the PhD. Support beyond that point depends on the teaching needs of the department.

What forms of support do you offer?
Both MA and PhD students are usually employed as teaching assistants or research assistants.

What is the amount of support?
Most students receive "full" support (20 hours per week). See the "Admission and Financial Aid" link at left for more information. In addition to the stipend, students employed as lecturers, teaching assistants, or research assistants also receive a tuition waiver and may purchase UConn-sponsored health insurance at a discounted rate.

Is financial assistance available for international students?
Yes, all students receive the same consideration for departmental support.

The Community

Where is Storrs?
Storrs is in northeastern Connecticut, a picturesque rural setting. Major urban areas are easily accessible from Storrs, including Hartford, Providence, Boston, and New York City. A good description of the area can be found at Living and Working in Northeastern Connecticut , provided by the School of Engineering.

Does the University have graduate housing? What is the off-campus housing situation?
The university has some graduate student housing, but most students live off-campus. See the Graduate School housing page for more information. There is a wide variety of housing options. Some students live in apartment complexes or shared houses near Storrs. The town of Willimantic , about seven miles away, also offers some affordable housing. Some students live in the Hartford area -- Storrs is about a 40 minute drive from downtown Hartford.

Is there public transportation in Storrs?
Public transportation is limited, although there is bus service from Willimantic and Hartford. If you do not have access to a car, you will probably want to live in on-campus graduate housing.

Admissions

What is the application deadline?
The application deadline for both M.A. and Ph.D. students is January 1. All application materials, including GRE and TOEFL scores, and letters of recommendation, must be received by the deadline to guarantee full consideration. Admissions and financial aid decisions will be made by mid-March.

What should I do if I want to visit the department?
Contact the Director of Graduate Studies for help in arranging meetings with faculty and graduate students and for finding a place to stay.

Do you admit students for part-time study?
Yes, although it is recommended that students participate in the program full-time.

Can I be admitted into your department if I was not a communication major in college?
Yes, many of our current students majored in other social science disciplines, and some majored in the humanities or natural sciences.

Can I apply to the Ph.D. program if I have a master's degree in a field other than communication?
Yes, students have been admitted from varying disciplinary backgrounds into our program. However, decisions will be made on an individual basis.

It's been a while since I graduated from college. Can I still be admitted to your program?
Yes, many of our students have pursued other careers before entering the program.

Is the GRE required for admission?
Yes, the GRE (general test) is required for admission.

Is a minimum GRE score required for admission?
There is no minimum standard required. Low GRE scores can be offset by high grades or strong recommendations.

I am not a native speaker of English--do I need to take the TOEFL?
Yes, unless you have an undergraduate degree from a college or university in the United States.

What percent of applicants are admitted each year?
Entering cohorts usually consist of between 6-12 students. The size of the applicant pool varies from year to year, but usually ranges between 60-90 applicants.

What is the most important factor in admission decisions: GPA, GRE, letters of reference, personal statement, or something else?
The admissions committee looks at the entire package when making decisions. We do not have any set formula for weighting different parts of the package. You should obtain letters of reference from people who know you well. Since we are trying to evaluate your academic potential, letters from faculty members have the most impact, although letters from employers will also be considered.