ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Master of Arts Program in the Department of Communication Studies brings together scholars interested in the various aspects of interpersonal communication and rhetorical studies.  The program prepares students for careers in the private sector, government agencies, or further educational opportunities.  Recent graduates have been accepted to top doctoral programs throughout the country.

How to Apply
Admission Requirements
Degree Requirements
Financial Assistance
Graduate Handbook
Contact Us
Useful Links

HOW TO APPLY

Deadline for Fall admission consideration is January 15, annually.

Submit to the Graduate College:

        *Application form(s) (Click here for Graduate Admissions information)
        *Fees
        *Official transcripts
        *Graduate Record Exam (GRE) results (Click here for GRE info)
        *Assistantship application(s) (Click here for information and forms)

Submit to the Graduate Coordinator for the Department of Communication Studies:

        *An additional copy of official transcripts
        *Three letters of recommendation (preferably from academic sources)
        *Letter of recommendation form--Complete and forward this form to each individual writing a letter of recommendation for you. This form must accompany each letter of recommendation. 
        *A personal statement of your goals and expectations in pursuing graduate work
        *A sample of your writing (from a college course assignment or other comparable writing)

Deadlines are available from the Graduate College and the Graduate Coordinator.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

        Admission to the graduate program is contingent, in part, on at least a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) GPA during the last two years of undergraduate studies and satisfactory scores on the GRE.  An applicant’s undergraduate degree may or may not be in communication.  Students who have little or no background in the field may be required to take additional coursework to prepare for the advanced graduate degree.

        International students should check with the Graduate College for current application deadlines and procedures.  International students are required to complete the TOEFL with a 550 or better, or show comparable evidence of competence in English.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

        All students take a core of three classes:  Survey of Communication Studies, Research Methods I, and Research Methods II.  Graduate Teaching Assistants must also take College Teaching in Communication during or prior to their first semester as a teacher.  You may elect to complete your program with original research leading to a thesis or a comprehensive examination.

        Thesis-track students take a minimum of 30 credits of course work plus six credits of thesis work that ends with an oral defense of the thesis.  Examination-track students take at least 36 credits of course work followed by an eight-hour examination and oral defense.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

        Graduate Assistantships, Barrick Fellowships, Alumni Scholarships, and Graduate Student Association Scholarships are available through the Graduate College.  Please contact the Graduate College Financing web site regarding requirements and deadlines for these awards. Additional information on grants, loans and employment opportunities may be obtained from UNLV Student Financial Services at (702) 895-3424.

        The Department of Communication Studies annually awards a number of Graduate Teaching Assistantships to teach classes in public speaking and interpersonal communication.  Benefits of a Graduate Teaching Assistantship include a $10,000 nine-month  stipend for masters-level graduate students, tuition and fee waiver (GTAs pay only the activity fee for each credit hour taken), and optional student health insurance. Click here for the UNLV Graduate Teaching Assistantship form.

GRADUATE HANDBOOK

       The Graduate Studies Handbook contains important and useful information about the program. Click here to download the COMMUNICATION STUDIES GRADUATE HANDBOOK (PDF).

CONTACT US

        For more information about the Graduate Program in Communication Studies, contact Dr. Tara Emmers-Sommer, Graduate Coordinator, via e-mail or phone (702) 895-2633.

USEFUL LINKS

Information on the GRE

UNLV Graduate College

Graduate Courses in Communication Studies (Click here for UNLV CATALOG)

UNLV Course Schedule

UNLV Registration

Greenspun College of Urban Affairs