We welcome applications from individuals interested in our critical, interpretive, and qualitative approaches to communication. The application process below details what to send, where to send completed materials, and when materials are due.  Please note that incomplete applications will not be reviewed or processed.

Given the nature of the review process, we cannot guarantee a full review of supplemental materials involving non-print media (videotapes or CDs). We cannot return any application materials, so please do not send original copies of any materials.

Any questions regarding application procedures should be addressed to:

Ms. Keysha Williams
Graduate Program Assistant
813-974-6819
mwilli21@cas.usf.edu

• All graduate applications must be submitted by the FACTS Online Graduate Application. Applicants have two options to pay their application fee, either by Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover) or by E-Check (checking/savings account).

• the department application form

• Official GRE scores: All applicants must arrange for a full set of GRE scores, including the Analytic or written portion of the test, to be sent to USF by Educational Testing Service (ETS). USF’s institutional code is 5828. (You should list your scores on the departmental application form, but this self-report must be followed by an official ETS report). Applicants should have a score of at least 500 on the Verbal section of the GRE or other strong evidence of writing skills.

• TOEFL scores: Applicants for whom English is not their first language must submit official TOEFL scores. If you completed a Master’s degree at a US college or university, a reported TOEFL score is encouraged, but not required.

• Letters of recommendation: MA applicants must submit two letters; PhD applicants must submit three letters. Letters may be sent directly by the recommenders to the department, or sealed letters (with a signature across the seal) may be enclosed with the application materials. These letters should speak to your ability to succeed in graduate school. Character references and employment-focused letters are acceptable, but may not be as helpful as letters focused on your academic/scholarly talents.

• Officially-sealed transcripts from your previous undergraduate and (if applicable) graduate institutions

• A curriculum vitae or an academic resume

• A statement of purpose: In 2-4, double-spaced pages, outline your goals for graduate school and your reasons for applying to our department.

• Writing sample: This writing sample should demonstrate your potential to write critically and well. Academic writing from undergraduate or M.A. coursework is preferable to samples of professional journalism or fictional writing. Typical writing samples have included a communication course paper, a chapter from an Honors or M.A. thesis, a convention paper, or a journal article submitted or published. Please enclose only one writing sample.

• International applicants must also complete and submit the Financial Statement Form

All domestic application materials should be mailed directly to the department, addressed to:

Ms. Keysha Williams
Graduate Program Assistant
Department of Communication
University of South Florida
4202 East Fowler Avenue CIS1040
Tampa, FL 33620-7800

The Department of Communication is a direct-application program. Domestic application materials sent anywhere else on campus (e.g., to the Graduate School) may not arrive in the department in a timely fashion. The Admissions Committee will not review applications that fail to arrive in the department by the appropriate deadlines.

All international application materials should follow mailing directions for international students.

Completed PhD applications are due January 15.

• This deadline holds all Ph.D. applications, whether seeking funding or not.
• The Admissions Committee does not consider PhD applications in spring or summer semesters.

MA applications are considered three times during the year. Please submit completed applications

• January 15 for fall admission and for funding requests
• April 1 for summer admission
• November 1 for spring admission

Please note that funding requests are not considered with summer or spring admissions.

Funding

The Department of Communication strives to provide funding for qualified graduate students. We believe this support is integral to the research, teaching, and activism in our scholarly community. Funding can take several forms.

Funded Assistantships

The Department of Communication offers a limited number of funded assistantships to newly accepted graduate applicants each year. In general, offers of graduate assistantships are accompanied with a full tuition waiver (excluding student fees).

Funded assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis to students who begin their studies in the Fall semester. Completed applications to the program must be received by January 15 for consideration for assistantships.

M.A. assistantships are offered for 2 years, or four consecutive regular semesters (Fall, Spring). Ph.D. assistantships are offered for a period of 4 years, or eight consecutive regular semesters (Fall, Spring). Summer teaching is typically available but is not guaranteed in the offer of assistance.

       Students who accept and hold funded assistantships must:

• be enrolled full-time in 9 hours of coursework a semester
• make adequate progress toward the degree
• complete course work with a 3.0 grade average or better
• participate in teacher training provided by the department
• and be observed in the classroom by a faculty supervisor responsible for a yearly written evaluation.

In addition to these funded assistantships, the department also frequently employs students for funded research in the university and community. These funds, however, are difficult to anticipate in advance and cannot be guaranteed for the full tenure of a student's studies.

University Graduate Fellowships

The Department of Communication actively promotes and nominates new, qualified applicants for fellowships provided by the University. University Graduate Fellowships are a stipend of $10,000 (Ph.D) or $9,000 (M.A.) and are awarded during the first year of a candidate's graduate studies. The fellowship is accompanied by an offer of support for the remaining 3 years (for Ph.D) or 1 year (for M.A.) at the usual stipend levels.

If you wish to be considered for a University Graduate Fellowship, your application should be received in the department no later than January 15 of the application year. Minimum criteria are GRE scores of 1250 (verbal and quantitative combined score) and a G.P.A. of 3.5. Please contact the Graduate Director for further information.

There are two fellowship and grant awards for minority students. Information and application materials for the Diverse Student Success (DSS) fellowship can be found online at http://www.grad.usf.edu/newsite/fellowships.asp. The Florida Education Fund’s McKnight Doctoral Fellowship program is now accepting applications from Latino students as well as from the traditional pool of African-American applicants. The deadline is January 15th and the application is available at www.fefonline.org.

If you may be eligible for a minority fellowship, you are encouraged to contact the Graduate Director as soon as possible. In general, your application should be complete before the January 15 deadline to insure consideration for one of these awards, and some awards may require earlier deadlines. Please contact the Graduate Director for further information.

For other inquiries about financial assistance, including student loans, please contact the University Financial Aid Office, SVC 1102 (813-974-4700).