Department of Communication and Media

Admission

Application to the Master of Arts Program in the Department of Communication Studies is made through the Office of the Graduate School. An admission application packet should be obtained online directly from that office and returned to the same office upon completion. Please go to the WCU Admissions page and select "Apply Now" to obtain the packet.

Candidates should take care to respect all relevant deadlines. Once all relevant documents are received, the the Graduate School will forward the applicant's file to the Department of Communication Studies. This will take place only if the applicant has clearly designated an intent to enroll in the Department of Communication Studies in the appropriate place on the admission form. The Office of the Graduate School and Extended Education is responsible for sending the applicant formal notification of admission.

Admissions Requirements

The Graduate Coordinator of Communication Studies with the help of the Department Graduate Committee will review applications for admission into the program. No single requirement will preclude a student from gaining admission. A considered analysis of all the materials submitted as outlined below would form the basis for admission decisions. If the student is accepted into the program, the Graduate Coordinator will forward all relevant forms to the Office of the Graduate School. Considerations for admissions are as follows:

• The undergraduate cumulative GPA should be at least 3.0. Exceptions are possible. One example might be when a student has earned a 3.0 or higher in his/her communication studies major but has a slightly lower overall GPA, s/he still may wish to apply.
• Undergraduate major preparation. Students in majors other than Communication or its related areas would be advised as to possible remedial undergraduate coursework. All candidates must have had courses or experience that indicate skill in: public speaking, communication theory, and communication (or related) research.
• Standardized GRE general test scores in two of the three tested areas in at least the 50th percentile. We do not administer this exam through our department or university. Go to takethegre.com for more information on the GRE, including examination dates.
• Students with an undergraduate GPA of a 3.5 or higher are exempt from taking the GRE test.
• Writing sample of previous work such as an excerpt of an undergraduate academic paper, job-related writing sample (i.e., press releases, newsletter, etc.), or creative writing. Writing samples either can be attached to the on-line application and submitted with the application OR applicants can email their sample as an attachment to the  WCU Graduate Office where it will be scanned and added to the applicant's file.
• Two letters of recommendation. An applicant to a graduate program must ask two (2) recommenders to support the application with an electronic letter of recommendation. A link to the electronic recommendation form will be sent to each recommender after the applicant has entered the name and e-mail address of each recommender into the applicant’s on-line application form. If you have questions about this process, please contact the Graduate School Office at GradStudies@wcupa.edu or at 610-436-2943.
• One official transcript.
• A goals statement written on the topic "How Does Communication Knowledge Bridge My Past Experience with My Future Plans?"

Three additional items may be used to support an application for admission:

• Work experience that indicates communication skill.
• Extra or co-curricular activities.
• Interview with the Department Graduate Coordinator and/or Graduate Committee.