Graduate Program in Communication

Mission | Admission | Application Process | Funding | FAQ | E-Mail Listserv

M.A. Program
     General Information Brochure

Ph.D. Program
     General Information Brochure
     Ph.D. in Marketing Communication

Ph.D. Tracks
     Interpersonal Communication
     Marketing Communication
     Mass Communication
     New Communication Technology
     Nonverbal Communication
     Persuasion

Mission

Master of Arts
The M.A. program in Communication emphasizes the scientific investigation of human communication behavior, stressing developments in communication theory and research as they relate to society and the communication process. The M. A. in Communication prepares persons for entry into a number of fields that require analysis of communication situations (e.g., advertising and marketing research, personnel training, organization research, social program evaluation). It also provides a solid foundation for Ph.D. work. 

Doctor of Philosophy
The Ph.D. program in Communication offers students a unique curriculum which stresses the integration of theory and research in communication. Students may approach their study of communication from a variety of specializations, including mass communication, marketing, interpersonal, nonverbal, new communication technology, marketing, advertising, public relations, persuasion. It culminates in the Ph.D. degree in Communication Sciences.

Admission

University Entrance Requirements 
To be admitted to the University of Connecticut Graduate School, you should have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4 point system). In some cases, students are admitted on a probationary status with a cumulative grade point average lower than 3.0. 

Department Requirements 
In addition to the above requirements, the Communication program requires both the verbal and quantitative Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores. An undergraduate major in communication is not required of an incoming student. Students from all baccalaureate programs will be considered for admission. Where deficiencies in preparation exist, the student may be required to take or audit courses or to complete equivalent reading programs at the discretion of the student's Advisory Committee. 

Deadlines for Applicant 
Applications for admission to the Graduate School will be screened periodically. Applicants will be notified of their standing as soon as possible. Applications and necessary recommendations, transcripts, test scores, and letters of intent must be received with the application before the application can be screened.

To be eligible for financial aid, your completed application must be received by January 1.

International applications must be received by January 1 to be considered for fall admission whether financial aid is needed or not. We cannot guarantee that applications received after these dates can be considered.

There is a non-refundable application processing fee. This fee cannot be waived.

Students must supply complete, official undergraduate and (where appropriate) graduate transcripts. Students with either a bachelor's or master's degree may apply.

The Application Process

The application process is handled through the UConn Graduate School. General information about the application process can be found in the graduate catalog's section on admission.

Applicants may choose to apply using a traditional pen-and-paper application or an online application. The same student information is collected in either application type. Information about both types of applications is available on the application page of the Graduate School website.

You should send the following information to the graduate school, either online or to the addresss below:

• GRE Scores
• TOEFL Scores
• Academic Transcripts
• Statement of Purpose
• Letters of Recommendation

For general graduate admission inquiries, to request a paper copy of the application and/or catalog, or to submit your application, please use the following address:

Graduate School
University of Connecticut
438 Whitney Road Extension, Unit 1006
Storrs, CT  06269-1006
Email:  gradschool@uconn.edu
Website: UConn Graduate School 

Funding Opportunities

Teaching and research assistantships are available to qualified M.A. and Ph.D. students. Duties of graduate assistants vary according to the needs of the department. Teaching assistant responsibilities have included conducting discussion sections of the undergraduate introductory communication course, supervised teaching of public speaking and, for experienced teachers and those with a completed master's degree, supervised teaching of upper-level undergraduate courses. Research assistants work with faculty on funded research projects.

A full-time assistantship for the 2007-2008 academic year is approximately $19,400. Summer teaching and research positions are also available to most Ph.D. students and some M.A. students. Summer fellowship money is available for students with a demonstrated involvement in research.

A full-time assistantship also carries a complete tuition waiver and highly subsidized health insurance benefits (both medical and dental). Information about UConn's graduate assistant health insurance program is available through the Benefits Enrollment Guide published by UConn's Department of Human Resources. There is also a Frequently Asked Questions page with additional information available here.

Decisions for awarding assistantships are made by the department in mid-April. Eligible graduate students may also receive work-study funds. There are also a number of loan programs available. For additional information on loans and work-study, visit the UConn Financial Aid website.