Before you apply
If you’re considering applying to any MA program, we recommend that you start with this excellent 30-page guide (created by another university) about choosing and applying to graduate schools.
Before you apply to our program, please review these pages with more information about our program:
- Main COMM MA page
- Costs, Funding Opportunities, & Teaching Assistantships
- COMM MA Degree Requirements
- Look closely at the research interests for all of our graduate faculty -- these are the people who will offer upper-division courses and graduate seminars and who will serve on your exam or project committee and as advisors.
- Course schedule
Application Deadlines
February 15
February 15 is the priority deadline for Fall semester start and full consideration for Teaching Assistantships and scholarships, if any are available.
July 1
Applications will also be considered until July 1.
October 1
October 1 is the priority deadline. Teaching Assistants are typically only hired to start in the Fall.
December 1
Applications will also be considered until December 1.
April 15
Applications from BMA students will be considered until April 15.
Other applicants who are interested in Summer admission can contact the DGS.
What you need to be admitted to the MA in Communication
Completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.25 or above is preferred but not required. Applications are evaluated as a whole, so students with a lower undergraduate GPA can demonstrate their preparedness for graduate study in Communication in other ways -- please see the guidance below in the FAQ section.
The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required. However, students may submit GRE scores to support their application if desired.
Some students may be contacted for a phone interview about their interests and preparation for graduate study in Communication.
What to include in your application
All applications are submitted online and are evaluated by the admissions committee as a complete package.
All students:
Two letters of recommendation, preferably from university faculty
An official transcript from every college or university attended
A resume or curriculum vitae
An academic writing sample that demonstrates your ability to make and defend an argument and to use and cite research to support it. Minimum 8 pages double-spaced. Most students choose their strongest paper from a Communication course. If you don't have a Communication paper, please submit your strongest research paper from any discipline. If you don't have access to a research paper you wrote, you can contact the DGS to ask for advice on developing an essay topic you would like to write about.
$50 application fee for U.S. citizens, $75 application fee for international students (non-refundable). You may qualify for an application fee waiver; see the FAQ below.
Statement of purpose (aka "letter of application" or "cover letter"). The statement should be 2-3 double spaced typed pages (around 500-800 words) and should highlight your past experience and your specific interest in the program.
International students:
International credential evaluation
Proof of English language proficiency
- Applicants using a standardized test to establish English language proficiency need scores at or above the following levels:
- TOEFL: 80 with particular subscore minimums (18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 20 in Speaking, and 20 in Writing)
- IELTS: 6.5 with 6.0 or higher in each subsection
- Duolingo: 85 in each section and 105 overall
Get help with applying
The application process involves a number of different offices and departments that can help you with technical questions about applying or submitting documents. Which office you should contact depends on what your question is:
- To get general information about being a graduate student at CU Denver, including living in Denver, academic programs, and student resources, fill out this form to request information from Graduate Education.
- Graduate Education handles all the bureaucratic and technical aspects of the admissions process, including the application system, documents, and transfer credits. If you're having trouble with the application system, wondering how to submit documents, or have any technical questions, please check the How to Apply page or contact graduateadmissions@ucdenver.edu.
- Student finances, including billing, financial aid, and scholarships is in a separate office.
- International admissions handles visas.
- International applicants need to get their transcripts evaluated and meet English language requirements. International admissions can answer questions about these requirements.
We invite applicants to set up a brief conversation with Dr. Amy Hasinoff, the Communication department's Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) by phone or Zoom to ask questions about the program -- any follow up questions to the information on this page -- before applying. This is recommended but not required.