Prospective Students - Graduate

Communication

Areas of Study and Research

Graduate study in the Department of Communication focuses on communication-based problems arising from recent social and technological changes, especially problems associated with processes of interaction, collaboration, deliberation and decision making. Research areas currently emphasized include organizational communication, rhetoric and group interaction which encompasses studies of family, community, and civic groups. Crossing the three central emphases are critical and cultural studies, and communication and technology

Degrees Offered

MA
Requires either: (1) a minimum of 33 credit hours of course work (including 27 hours of course work and 6 hours of thesis work), and the successful defense of the master’s thesis; or (2) a minimum of 33 credit hours of course work, and the successful completion of a comprehensive examination.

PhD
Requires a minimum of 54 semester hours of course work, (including MA course work or up to 12 transfer credits), 30 semester hours of dissertation work, successful completion of a comprehensive examination, and successful defense of the doctoral dissertation.

Admission

Graduate School Minimum Admissions Standards
Individual graduate departments may have additional or more restrictive standards by which they evaluate graduate applicants. However, the Graduate School at CU-Boulder has established minimum standards for graduate admission. Applicants must:

1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, or have done work equivalent to that required for such a degree.
   
2. Show promise of ability to pursue advanced study and research, as judged by the student’s scholastic record.
   
3. Have adequate preparation to enter graduate study in the chosen field.
   
4. Have at least a 2.75 (2.00=C) undergraduate grade point average. Note: Applicants who cannot meet this undergraduate standard may still secure regular admission if they have completed 9 semester hours of relevant graduate course work with at least a 3.25 average.

Communication Admissions Requirements
Following is a partial summary of admission requirements. More details are available on our web site (www.colorado.edu/communication) or by contacting the department.

MA applicants must:

1. Hold at least a baccalaureate degree, or its equivalent.
2. Have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.20.
3. Provide three letters of recommendation.

PhD applicants must:

1. Hold a master’s degree or the equivalent.
2. Have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.20, and a graduate GPA of at least 3.50.
3. Provide three letters of recommendation.

Minimum Standards for Applicants
GRE scores are required with the following minimum scores:
Verbal 550
Verbal plus quantitative 1100.

Financial Support Available
Teaching assistantships and fellowships are available. MA students may be funded for up to two years and PhD students for up to four years.

Application Information and Deadlines   Fall admission Yes Application deadline December 31 International application deadline December 15 Financial assistance application deadline December 31   Spring admission MA Only Application deadline September 15 International application deadline August 15   Summer admission No

Contact Information

University of Colorado at Boulder
Department of Communication
Hellems 94
270 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0270
Phone: 303-492-7307
Fax: 303-492-8411
web site: www.colorado.edu/Communication/
e-mail: commgrad@colorado.edu