Application Requirement and Process
body text Heading link
The GRE requirement is OPTIONAL for UIC COMMUNICATION (MA) and (PhD) degree programs.
All international applicants must submit official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language. TOELF or IELTS is required by all international applicants. Any questions asking to be exempt from taking the TOEFL: See the UIC International Admission Requirements page and the UIC Admissions office FAQs page for details. This is not decided by the department of Communication.
Applicants who would like to submit GRE test scores with their application may do so.
The application deadline for all applications including international students, assistantships, fellowships, or tuition waivers consideration is January 15 for admission in the coming fall. Funding is subject to availability. For additional information, please review the Department FAQ page.
IMPORTANT! When prompted, use the following Department of Communication codes — PhD: 20FS9953PHD, MA: 20FS1113MA.
After completing the “online graduate application,” you will receive in three-to-five days an email acknowledging receipt of your application and instructing you to log back into your application to upload other application documents. For additional information about the application process and the uploading of documents, please visit the Office of Admissions & Records (OAR) webpage.
Because OAR processes tens of thousands of applications each year, please upload the following documents as early as you can:
- GRE scores (use Code 1851).
- TOEFL scores, if applicable (use Code 1851).
- Official Transcripts (upload only) – DO NOT mail hard copies to Communication.
- Personal Statement (600 words).
- Résumé (1–2 pages).
- Writing sample (see FAQs for guidelines).
Optional for MA applicants (but recommended).
Required for PhD applicants (MA thesis or sustained writing sample). - Three letters of recommendation.
(M.A. – preferably two from professors; Ph.D. – preferably from professors.)