Admission Requirements
Admission
Eligibility:
- You must satisfy the general admission requirements of the Graduate College.
- You must have completed undergraduate work in communication, speech or allied disciplines and have achieved at least a 3.0 grade point average in your last two years of course work.
- Additional course work may be required at the time of admission into the program, as deemed necessary by the director of graduate studies.
Application Process
These are the steps to applying to the graduate program:
Step 1: Complete the university's application process. You can find the step-by-step guide to submitting the application here. You can apply online. When asked to indicate the degree you are seeking, use the scrollbox and choose "Communication (MA)".
Step 2: Request all post-secondary institutions you attended (undergraduate and/or graduate), to send your official transcripts to Western Michigan University, Office of Admissions, 1903 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo MI 49008-5211. For degrees from WMU, you don't need to request an official transcript. We will access your transcripts directly from the WMU system.
Step 3: Take the GRE General Test and submit the scores to the School of Communication (Institutional code: 1902)
Step 4: Complete the school of Communication application process by providing
- Evidence of academic interest and ability: Fill out the Graduate Student Information Form.
- A writing sample: Submit a copy of your best academic paper, written for an undergraduate course, presented at a conference, etc. Scholarly, theoretical, research-oriented papers are preferred. Or you may submit a professional paper as a writing sample.
Mail both the Graduate Student Information Form and the writing sample to the Director of Graduate Studies, School of Communication, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5318.
Electronic option: The documents in Step 4 can also be submitted as email attachments. To save a copy of the Graduate Student Information Form after you have filled it out in Adobe Reader, look in the upper right hand corner for the "Sign" icon. Click on "Place Signature." Adobe will ask you to type in a signature and place it in the document. Please place your signature on the bottom of the second page of the Graduate Student Information Form. After you have completed the signature process, click on "Done Signing" and save your document. Email the saved version of the Graduate Student Information Form and your writing sample to our Office Associate, Angela Minckler (angela.minckler@wmich.edu).
Step 5: Download the WMU
Graduate Reference Form and make three copies of it. Fill out the top portion of the form and mail it to three references. It is recommended that two of your three references be former professors who can speak to your academic performance, intellectual abilities, and your potential as a graduate student. The individuals writing your recommendation letters should send them directly to the Director of Graduate Studies, School of Communication, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5318.
If you need help
Contact Dr. Heather Addison, Director of Graduate Studies. Make an appointment and meet with her if possible. (Phone: (269) 387-2901. Office: 315 Sprau. Email: heather.addison@wmich.edu)
Readmission Procedure:
If you are seeking readmission to the graduate program, please use the Graduate Readmission Application (PDF).
International Admissions:
For Step 1, international students must use the online application available at the Office of International Admissions and Services website. They must satisfy the international admission requirements. (Please see application forms and requirements).
For Steps 2- 4, the requirements for International students is the same as described above.
Early Deadline for Applications - February 1
New graduate students are admitted in the fall semester only. The School of Communication accepts applications for fall admission on a rolling basis until all available slots are filled. The early application deadline is February 1st. Students who wish to be considered for graduate assistantships are advised to submit their applications by February 1st.
Applications will be reviewed when all the required documents (listed below) have been submitted:
- online application form
- official transcripts
- graduate student information form
- writing sample, and
- three letters of recommendation