Application Process
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Application Process
All applicants to the SJMC academic graduate program must complete two separate application packets: one for the SJMC and one for the University of Minnesota Graduate School. Applications to the SJMC are accepted for fall semester admission only.
Note: The application instructions below are for those interested in the academic M.A. and Ph.D.
How to Apply
STEP ONE: Complete a University of Minnesota Graduate School Application Packet
The following are required before the School of Journalism and Mass Communication will evaluate your application for admission:
- Online Application and Fee
Note: The Graduate School application fee is $55 for domestic applicants and $75 for international applicants.
- Statement of Purpose
This is included as part of the online application.
- Transcripts
Official transcripts from each institution attended must be submitted to the Graduate School. Official transcripts must be mailed directly to the Graduate School:
Graduate School Office of Admissions
University of Minnesota
309 Johnston Hall
101 Pleasant Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
- Recommendation letters
Included in the online application. Three letters of recommendation from persons well acquainted with your academic work are required. At least one of these letters should be from an undergraduate adviser, major professor, or department chair, who appraises the applicant's capabilities for graduate work. For Ph.D. applicants, one of the three letters should be from the major adviser at the graduate level.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores
All applicants are required to submit scores for the GRE general test. Twin Cities residents may contact University Counseling and Consulting Services at 612-624-9853 for GRE registration information. Or, visit the Educational Testing Service Web site for a list of testing centers. Our institution code is 6874; our department code is 4503.
- Samples of work
M.A. applicants should submit one or two papers written for courses. Ph.D. applicants must submit a copy of their master's thesis or equivalent research papers at the graduate level. All submitted academic work must be written in English; creative work or professional clips should not be sent as a part of your writing sample. It is possible to upload this through the Graduate School’s online application but if your submission is too large you may send it directly to the SJMC:
Director of Graduate Studies
School of Journalism and Mass Communication
University of Minnesota
111 Murphy Hall, 206 Church Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
E-mail: sjmcgrad@umn.edu
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores
The TOEFL score is required for international applicants whose native language is not English and who have not completed 24 quarter or 16 semester credits in residence as a full-time student at a recognized institution of higher learning in the United States. Minimum TOEFL scores for admission to the SJMC are 600 for the paper/pencil version of the test or 250 for the computer version. Our institution code is 6874; our department code is 18.
- International Students Financial Certification Statement
All accepted students must complete this form, which is sent with their admission letter. For students wishing to submit the form with their application, it can be downloaded from the Graduate School Web site and submitted with the application.
STEP TWO: Complete a School of Journalism & Mass Communication Application Packet
The following items are required by the SJMC for a complete departmental application. These items should be sent to the following address and postmarked no later than December 30.
Director of Graduate Studies
School of Journalism and Mass Communication
University of Minnesota
111 Murphy Hall
206 Church Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455.
- Departmental application for admission.
Download the SJMC Application (PDF). This can be completed and sent back to the department either via e-mail, hard copy or it can be submitted as part of the online application.
- Statement of objectives
- SJMC Application for Financial Support (optional)
Download the departmental application (PDF) for financial support.
Remember, you must submit the following required materials to the Graduate School in order for your application to be complete—recommendation letters, GRE scores, TOEFL scores, Transcripts and Samples of Work.
Application deadlines
Deadline for the academic M.A. & Ph.D. program: December 31
Deadline for the strategic communication M.A. program: June 15
Both applications and all supporting materials must be postmarked and sent to the appropriate address by the application deadline date. Applications postmarked after the deadline date will not be reviewed, and the application fee will not be refunded. Please read and follow the application instructions carefully. Applications will be processed only when they are complete. Do not send application forms or supporting materials to the incorrect address. Doing so may result in late or incomplete applications that will not be reviewed.
Application review process
The review process for all complete M.A. and Ph.D. applications begins within a week of the departmental deadline, making it imperative that application materials arrive at the SJMC on time. Every effort is made to notify all applicants of an admission decision by mid-March. Approximately one-third of those who apply to the M.A. program and one-fourth of those who apply to the doctoral program are admitted. The average grade point average of those admitted in the past two years is 3.50 for M.A. students and 3.90 for Ph.D. students. The SJMC does not have a minimum requirement for GRE scores, but admitted M.A. students typically have quantitative, verbal, and analytical scores in the 500s or above. Admitted Ph.D. students typically have quantitative, verbal and analytical scores in the 600s or above. International students with TOEFL scores less than 575 will not be considered for admission.
Applications to the M.A. program in mass communication are reviewed by SJMC faculty, whose recommendation is then forwarded to the dean of the Graduate School for a final decision. Official notification of the decision is sent to the applicant by the Graduate School.
SJMC graduate faculty review all Ph.D. applications, and a two-thirds majority vote of those faculty present is required for a recommendation of admission. The graduate faculty's recommendation is then forwarded to the dean of the Graduate School for a final decision. Official notification of the decision is sent to the applicant by the Graduate School.
