Graduate FAQ

The UIC M.A. and Ph.D. programs in Communication are flexible. Of the 32 hours (8 courses) beyond your B.A., the M.A. program has only 12 hours in (3) required courses. The remaining 20 hours can be in your preferred area. The Ph.D. program is similar, requiring an M.A. degree (and including the 3 required UIC M.A. courses), and then 16 hours in (4) required Ph.D. courses. The remaining 48 hours are in a self-designed speciality and related research methods courses. For details see Communication in the UIC Graduate Catalog.

The M.A. core includes courses in the philosophy of communication, quantitative reasoning, and an additional seminar in either media or cultural studies research. The Ph.D. core includes courses in the philosophy of technology, new media, and qualitative research methods (in addition to the M.A. core courses). For details see the Course Descriptions as well as Communication program descriptions in the Graduate Catalog.

The M.A. program centers on either media or cultural studies, and the Ph.D. program centers on new technologies. Both programs offer three interdisciplinary concentrations: gender and women’s studies, latino and Latin American studies, or Black studies. For details see the Communication program descriptions in the Graduate Catalog.

The Department assesses the record of each transfer student and handles transfers case by case after you arrive for your first semester of classes. See the Transfer Credit page of the Graduate College site. There is no automatic transfer of credits for a prior degree.

The M.A. program normally takes 4 semesters including either the thesis or the comprehensive exam. See the M.A. Sample Courses of Study. The Ph.D. program normally takes 8 semesters for coursework, preliminary examinations, and the dissertation. See the Ph.D. Sample Courses of Study. But both programs may run longer or shorter, depending on the student’s individualized coursework.

The Department does not accept part-time students (see the Graduate College Course Loads definitions). Building collaborative relationships, an important element in doctoral education, is challenging even for full-time students, and the Ph.D. program focuses on building an intellectual community among cohorts of students as well as with faculty. Each graduate seminar in the Department is 4 credits and requires class time plus eight more hours of outside preparation weekly (usually more). Graduate students typically take at least two department courses each semester in the first year. The minimum credits for full-time status (needed for most forms of Financial Assistance) is 9 credit hours.

Most graduate courses meet once a week (Monday through Thursday) for 15 weeks plus finals week, each class running for roughly 3 hours in the late afternoon or early evening. There are no required courses in the morning or on weekends, but elective courses may be on weekday mornings.

5 years for M.A., 7 for Ph.D. (with M.A. in hand). See the Degree Requirements on the Policies and Procedures page (scroll down quite a bit) of the Graduate College site.

You can take elective courses numbered 505 and up as a non-degree seeking student after securing instructor and department approval. Documentation such as a resume, transcripts, and writing sample should accompany a rationale requesting to register for other seminars. The Department itself does not normally accept non-degree seeking students, but the Graduate College does. See the Grad College details for Non-degree Admission. Only students admitted with full standing in the Department of Communication may register for required seminars (Comm 490, 491, 500, 501, 502, 503, 504, 508, or 580). Only 12 hours of non-degree credit can apply toward the COMM degree. Other restrictions apply: see the Graduate Catalog program descriptions.

The Department has exchange accords with universities in Spain and Denmark and encourages students to include study or field-work abroad if appropriate to their individual program plans. The UIC Study Abroad Office has program information, and the Graduate College Fellowships Office can help students apply for funding.

All students should receive at least a B in most required and elective graduate courses and clear any incomplete grades within a set period. For details about each program, see Communication in the UIC Graduate Catalog.

All students begin study in the fall semester. The first course for virtually every student is COMM 500, a fall-only seminar. See Admissions Deadlines. The course (and in some cases, COMM 501) can make the difference for success in elective courses with higher numbers.

All applications are due January 15 for the following fall term. The admissions committee does not consider late applications for the current year. See Admissions Deadlines.

For application fee waivers, please consult Admissions Application Fee Waivers on the Graduate College’s website.

The Department welcomes students from a wide range of programs, including the sciences and arts as well as the humanities and social sciences. Students with training in other fields usually require additional communication coursework, especially if the prior training focused on practice rather than research.

There are no prerequisite courses. Ph.D. students can complete the UIC master’s core after enrolling. Those with master’s degrees outside communication should expect to take additional courses, as advised after entering the program.

Yes. The rules differ for M.A. and Ph.D. students. See the most up to date requirements on the Graduate College Catalog.

An interview is not essential but helps make you better known to the Department. Video-chat, email, or telephone interactions can do the same. Start by choosing the one professor whose work interests you most. Correspond by email and, if possible, set up a time to visit virtually or in person. If you do arrange an on campus appointment with faculty, be sure to alert the Department so that additional arrangements can be made for you to possibly meet a member of the admissions committee and/or one of the current graduate students.

Foreign students meet the same requirements as domestic students. You must also take the TOEFL examination (see International Admissions) and complete a Declaration and Certification of Finances form. For full information see the Graduate College page on International Admission Requirements.

Without required documents or scores, your application is incomplete. Consequently, the Department may not be able to consider you for financial assistance. Nevertheless, the admissions committee may review your application and let you know if you are still under consideration while awaiting completion of your application. Once your application is complete, you will receive an admission decision.

The admissions committee makes decisions in mid-March for complete applications. The committee does not make any decision to admit a student until your application is complete. A funding decision may take longer, but no later than late April.

All international applicants must submit official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language, unless they qualify for a TOEFL exemption.

Some applicants are exempt from taking the TOEFL. See the International Admission Requirements page and the Admissions office FAQs page for details.

The minimum scores on the TOEFL are 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based) and appear on the Graduate College application site. For more information on the TOEFL, go to the International Admissions page of the graduate college.

You must take the TOEFL within two years of the start date for the term you expect to begin your graduate work at UIC.