Graduate Program - Admissions

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Big Twelve Reasons to Choose
The Department of Communication at Mizzou

1. A long tradition of excellence: The Department of Communication has a long and prestigious history in the field of communication. The first National Communication Association (then called the National Association of Teachers of Speech) was housed right here in Switzler hall. You can feel confident that your education will be grounded in the rich traditions unique to our field.
   
2. Cutting-edge research and activities: The faculty in the Department of Communication are some of the top scholars in their respective areas. You will find Mizzou represented in numerous publications in top journals, several important books authored by members of the faculty, and numerous top paper awards at conferences. Rest assured that when you graduate from the Department of Communication at the University of Missouri-Columbia, you will be at the cutting edge of our field.
   
3. National recognition for excellence: The Department of Communication is recognized nationally for its high quality graduate program. For example, a 2000 study placed MU among the top-12 doctoral-granting institutions in top convention paper awards at the National Communication Association and International Communication Association conventions.  A 2003 study ranked Missouri 4 th in the nation for research productivity over the last five years.  And, a 2005 study of faculty scholarly productivity ranked University of Missouri-Columbia 9 th in the nation, based on faculty publication rate, award recognition, and other factors.  Other studies ranking communication programs have ranked Missouri highly as well.  These studies show that Missouri offers top-tier excellence in scholarship.
   
4. A collegial working environment: Unlike some programs, the students in the Department of Communication at University of Missouri-Columbia have developed a culture of collegiality. As a result, students generally feel supported by their colleagues in the department-An important consideration when deciding where to spend the next critical years of your life.
   
5. An opportunity for collaboration with faculty: Most students in the Department of Communication collaborate with their professors on multiple research projects. As a result, student professional development is higher at Mizzou than in many other programs. Last year our graduate students published 14 articles and presented 50 conference papers, at least 8 of which were top papers in their various divisions. When you finish at Mizzou, not only will you have a degree but you will also be a scholar.
   
6. A high completion rate for Ph.Ds : The results from a 2007 national study by the PhD Completion Project showed that only 55% of doctoral students in the social sciences had completed their degrees within 10 years of starting their program.  Many studies have found much lower completion rates for doctoral students. One study found that in Ph.D. programs in Communication the average completion rate for students who finish their coursework is 28%. The Department of Communication at Missouri-Columbia has implemented a series of procedures designed to encourage students to complete their degree. As a result, our completion rate is 91% for those students who have entered the program over the last decade. When you begin your program at Mizzou, you can have greater confidence that you will ultimately prevail in your quest for a degree.
   
7. A variety of program emphases to select from: Because the Department of Communication realizes that every student is unique with a unique set of goals and expectations for their graduate experience, we offer a number of flexible program emphases. You may select a specific program of study or you may choose to design your own program of study. Your advisor will work with you to ensure that the classes you take will meet your personal goals and expectations.
   
8. Technology in the classroom: The Department of Communication is at the cutting edge of educational technology. With web assisted courses, and technology enhanced dedicated classrooms for the basic course, we offer students the best that technology has to offer-without forgetting the humanity and individuality of our students.
   
9. Lively discussions: As you walk into Switzler Hall, the building that houses the Department of Communication, you might observe graduate students and professors sitting on the front steps of the building discussing various communication issues. We enjoy an environment of lively exchange in which learning occurs both in and out of the classroom. The weekly department colloquiums provide another important outlet for this type of exchange. By choosing to participate in the departmental conversations, your education at Mizzou will be a richer and more rewarding personal experience.
   
10. Emphasis on multiple research methods: As a graduate student in the Department of Communication, you will learn how to use multiple research methods through which communication processes can be explored. This diverse knowledge is important in our field because of the incredible complexity of human communication. As a result of your training, you will be equipped to study a broad array of communication phenomena in interesting ways.
    
11. Low cost of living: Not only is Columbia an excellent place to live, but it also provides a much lower cost of living than many other cities hosting graduate programs in Communication. On average, Columbia's cost of living runs 5 to 6% below the national average, and 50 to 70% below cost of living on the east and west coasts. This means that your graduate funding will stretch further and provide a more comfortable life style than other graduate programs.
    
12. Columbia is a safe and fun community: For the past several years, Columbia has been consistently ranked by Money Magazine as one of the best cities in the United States. This designation is based on the low crime rate, low cost of living, vital downtown area, and other amenities. We are particularly proud of the Katy and MKT trails in which abandoned railroad tracks have been converted to walking and biking trails through beautiful forested parks.

Why should you attend graduate school, and why is MU a great choice for your graduate degree?  See a brief video.

Admission to the program is highly competitive. To be considered for admission, students must have at least a 3.0 GPA in their last 60 hours of course work. Applicants are considered once a year for Fall admission (although summer enrollment is possible). All applicants must fulfill the admissions requirements of the Graduate School and show likelihood of successfully completing the departmental program. The Program's Admissions Committee evaluates each application based on the following evidence:

• Official undergraduate/graduate transcripts.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (verbal, quantitative, analytical), taken within the past five years.
• Résumé or Curriculum vitae.
• Three letters of recommendation, which should come from qualified people (former or present instructors) who can attest to your ability to complete graduate study.
• A sample of scholarly writing (e.g., course paper)
• A statement of purpose (no more than 500 words) clearly explaining your interest in pursuing a graduate degree, your intended field of study, your professional goals, and your background.

To request an application or additional information about either the MA or the PhD Program in Communication, email the Graduate Program Assistant, Martha Crump.


International Student Admission
Because of the nature of the literature and research within our field, admission to the graduate program by international students requires a TOEFL score of 600. Exceptions to this requirement will be taken under advisement by the admissions committee only if the candidate can demonstrate excellent command of the English language in terms of both oral and written usage and comprehension. Regardless of the TOEFL score, every international student is required to complete the English Proficiency Exam upon arrival to campus. The score on this diagnostic multiple-choice and essay exam will be used to determine if necessary course work is needed in either English grammar and composition or reading and vocabulary. If your score on this exam indicates that you need more course work, then you will be required to take the English language instruction before taking graduate level courses in the department.

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