Department of Communication

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Communication (MA)

Communication
Telephone: (302) 831-8041
Website: http://www.udel.edu/communication/udmacomm.html
Faculty listing: http://www.udel.edu/comm/faculty
 

Program Overview

The Department of Communication offers a two-year Master of Arts degree in Communication. A graduate student may concentrate in any of the department’s areas of emphasis or may select a more general program. In either case, the coursework and related elements of the program will provide the student with the necessary background to undertake the research required to complete a M.A. thesis or to pass the comprehensive examination for successful completion of the degree. The program is designed to produce competent consumers of empirical research and theory in preparation for PhD studies or for a career as a communication specialist if this is a terminal degree.

Requirements for Admission

To be considered for admissions, all applicants are evaluated on the following criteria:

1. Undergraduate academic work; both total GPA and major GPA are considered and a 3.0 in both categories is generally the accepted minimum. Official transcripts from all schools attended are to be submitted.
2. A minimum combined score of 300 on the verbal and the quantitative portions of the GRE and a minimum score of 4.5 for the analytical writing portion; International student’s TOEFL scores must be at least 650 for the paper based exam or at least 114 for the internet version (TOEFL iBT). If unable to take the TOEFL a minimum score of 8.5 is expected on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
3. Three letters of recommendation.
4. A statement written by the applicant addressing his or her interest in seeking graduate education in communication.
5. A critical writing sample is required. This may be an essay, a research project manuscript, or other piece of writing the applicant believes is a good example of their writing. The same should be no longer than 25 double spaced pages.
6. A video essay, not to extend beyond one minute, based on the topic, “Why are you interested in the University of Delaware’s Department of Communication’s graduate program?”

These data are carefully considered in relation to the strengths of the Department to determine if it can give the applicant the graduate education desired.

Admission to the MA program in Communication is selective and competitive, based on the number of well-qualified applicants and the limits of available faculty and facilities. Applicants who meet stated minimum academic requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths.

Financial Aid

A limited number of teaching assistantships (and sometimes research assistantships) are available and are awarded competitively in the spring of each year. The application deadline for teaching or research assistantships in Communication is February 1st. Teaching Assistants are expected to attend a number of training sessions in the month prior to their enrollment. Those who fail to attend these sessions will forfeit their financial aid.

Communication (PhD)

Communication
Telephone: (302) 831-8041
Faculty listing: http://www.udel.edu/comm/faculty
Contact Graduate Director, James Angelini angelini@udel.edu for additional information 

Program Overview

The mission of the PhD program in the Department of Communication is to provide advanced training to students in the field of Communication, and others with relevant disciplinary interest (e.g., social sciences, technology), with the goal of preparing them for research-based careers. Graduates are prepared to advance research and theory in the field of Communication. This degree provides high quality classroom-based instruction through a core graduate curriculum, research and statistical methodology courses, and the ability of students to focus their program of study in one of the department’s three core concentrations: Interpersonal Communication, Media/Mass Communication, or Political Communication, all taught in a social science tradition.

Students will develop an understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of their particular area of interest within the field of Communication as well as develop the ability to conceptualize and implement original research to further their and others’ understanding of that area. Students will demonstrate their proficiency with this content through a successful completion of their coursework, passage of their candidacy examinations and oral defense, and a successful defense of a completed doctoral dissertation.

Requirements for Admission

To be considered for admissions, all applicants are evaluated on the following criteria:

1. A baccalaureate degree is required, with both a total GPA and a major GPA of, at minimum, 3.0. A master’s degree in communication or other related discipline from an accredited college or university, with a minimum GPA of 3.5, is optional. Official transcripts from all schools attended are to be submitted.
2. A minimum combined score of 300 on the verbal and the quantitative portions of the GRE and a minimum score of 4.5 on the analytical writing portion; International student’s TOEFL scores must be at least 650 for the paper based exam or at least 114 for the internet version (TOEFL iBT). If unable to take the TOEFL a minimum score of 8.5 is expected on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
3. Three letters of recommendation.
4. A statement written by the applicant addressing his or her interest in seeking graduate education in communication.
5. A curriculum vitae (CV) or résumé.
6. A critical writing sample is required. This may be an essay, a research project manuscript, or other piece of writing the applicant believes is a good example of their writing. The same should be no longer than 25 double spaced pages.
7. A video essay, not to extend beyond one minute, based on the topic, “Why are you interested in the University of Delaware’s Department of Communication’s graduate program?”

These data are carefully considered in relation to the strengths of the Department to determine if it can give the applicant the graduate education desired.

For transfer students, graduate credit earned at another institution will be evaluated at the written request of the student. In order for the transfer to be considered the following are required:

• The grade earned in the course is no less than a B-.
• The course was completed at an accredited college or university.
• The original course syllabus must be submitted with the written request.
• The course must have an equivalent course in the Department of Communication’s course inventory.
• The course was completed in the last five years.
• Transferred courses may not have been used in the completion of another degree.

Credits from institutions outside of the United States are generally not transferable to the University of Delaware.

Admission to the PhD program in Communication is selective and competitive, based on the number of well-qualified applicants and the limits of available faculty and facilities. Applicants who meet stated minimum academic requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths.

Financial Aid

A limited number of teaching assistantships (and sometimes research assistantships) are available and are awarded competitively in the spring of each year. The application deadline for teaching or research assistantships in Communication is February 1st. Teaching Assistants are expected to attend a number of training sessions in the month prior to their enrollment. Those who fail to attend these sessions will forfeit their financial aid.

Programs

• Communication (MA)

• Communication (PhD)

Return to: College of Arts and Sciences