Graduate FAQ’s2024-11-18T17:11:21-05:00

Graduate FAQs

Learn how you can join an innovative graduate program at the University of Miami School of Communication.

About the Admissions Process

About our Graduate Programs

We accept new doctoral and master’s students only for the fall semester. The application deadlines for the fall semester are:

Doctoral Program:

  • Final Deadline: December 1

Master’s Programs:

  • Priority Deadline: February 1
  • Final Deadline: July 15
* For international applicants to master programs, please submit your application before March 15th. We cannot guarantee that international applications submitted after March 15 will be processed due to time limitations.

Students can start the Media Management Certificate either in the fall or spring.

Certificate Program:

  • Spring Deadline: December 15
  • Priority Deadline: February 1
  • Final Deadline: July 15

A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required.

The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) are not required for any School of Communication program. Students are welcome to submit the GRE or GMAT but the exams are not required.

  • The University of Miami’s GRE code is 5815
  • The University of Miami’s GMAT code is 7NV-S1-96

English language proficiency requirements, accepted exams, and minimum scores are outlined on the International Student Applicant Page.

For the purpose of initial application review process, the Office of Graduate Studies accepts unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary institutions; however, official transcripts must be submitted upon admission.

Official transcripts of all college work, both undergraduate and graduate, are required.

International students are required to submit the following items:

  • Official / original transcripts with professional certified English translation
  • A copy of your diploma with professional certified English translation for degrees earned outside of the United States.
  • A copy of passport
  • Domestic or international applicants that have attended (or have academic credits from) an international institution must have any educational credentials earned outside the United States verified by an approved international credentialing evaluation service. Applicants are encouraged to submit an international transcript evaluation along with their transcripts from one of the approved University of Miami vendors found on this list.

If you do not already have an international transcript evaluation, the Office of Graduate Studies will obtain it. The international credentialing evaluation service can take several weeks. We strongly encourage international students to apply and submit all transcripts early for timely decision-making.

Each of the University’s eleven schools and colleges has specific procedures that must be followed by international applicants. Visit the School of Communication’s International Credentials page for more information.

Specific requirements for the statement are stated under each program. The 500 word limit is a recommendation; please feel free to write more if necessary, but do not go beyond 1,000 words.
 
This is also an opportunity to discuss any special circumstances that might be considered in relation to your application and to share specific details that distinguish you as an outstanding applicant.
 

It may be appropriate to ask professors, advisors, and/or employment supervisors for recommendations. There is no specific combination of the above that is required. Recommendations from friends are not suitable.

Contact information for recommenders should be submitted online via the online applications system. Recommenders will then be notified via email that you have requested a recommendation as part of the application requirement. Recommenders can complete the online questionnaire and attach a letter, although a letter is not required.

Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) codes are six-digit numbers that identify academic programs, courses, certificates, and degrees in the United States. Relevant CIP codes are listed below:

  • 09.0903 – Advertising
  • 50.1001 – Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management, General
  • 50.0602 – Cinematography and Film/Video Production
  • 09.0100 – Communication, General
  • 09.0101 – Communication Studies/Speech Communication and Rhetoric
  • 09.0702 – Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia
  • 50.0607 – Documentary Production
  • 11.0105 – Human-Centered Technology Design
  • 09.0907 – International and Intercultural Communication
  • 09.0401 – Journalism
  • 09.0902 – Public Relations/Image Management

The School of Communication offers the following graduate programs:

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D)

Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.)

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Master of Science (M.S.)

Graduate Certificate

  • Communication, Ph.D. – 4 years
  • Communication Studies, M.A. – 2 years
  • Communication for Global Social Change, M.A. – 1 year
  • Documentary, M.F.A. – 2 years
  • Experience and Information Design, M.S. – 18 months
  • Interactive Media, M.F.A. – 2 years
  • Journalism, M.A. – 18 months
  • Media Management, M.S. – 1 year
  • Motion Pictures, M.F.A. – 3 years
  • Public Relations, M.A. – 2 years

No, we do not currently offer online programs.

Most of our master’s programs allow students to take classes on a part-time basis.

The Communication, Ph.D. program is only for full-time students.

Please click here to view the estimated cost of attendance.

International students who are accepted into the graduate programs will be required to submit an original bank letter of financial stability in the amount to cover all expenses for the first year of study.

Master’s Programs:

Most programs have a very limited number of graduate assistantships available. When you apply for admission to a graduate degree program in the School of Communication by the priority deadline (Feb 1st), you will automatically be considered for a Graduate Assistantship. Therefore, no separate application is necessary. All applicants who submit an exceptionally strong application and have exhibited a demonstrated ability to contribute to their field are eligible, including applicants who live in the United States, as well as international applicants.

Communication, Ph.D. Program:

School of Communication doctoral students are fully funded for four years. The costs covered for our doctoral students for four consecutive years are as follows: tuition for the required 57 credit hours, a $30,225 stipend per year for four years, and the cost of University health insurance for four years, all contingent on adequate progress in the four years of the program.

Students from historically underserved or underrepresented populations:

In addition to the graduate assistantships specific to each program, there are a limited number of School of Communication Opportunity Awards, which are intended to support students from historically underserved or underrepresented populations. The awards may consist of a partial tuition waiver, a monthly stipend during the academic year (e.g., September through May), or both waiver and stipend. The application, asks students for a brief statement about how your background and experience will enrich the diversity of the SoC community and how you think diversity, equity, and inclusion can benefit communication or your chosen field within communication.

All interested incoming School of Communication graduate students are welcome to apply. Applicants interested in being considered for an SoC Opportunity Award should submit their application here or contact the Graduate Studies Office at socgrad@miami.edu.

Learn more on the Graduate Funding Opportunities page.

 

For questions related to the application process, please email the Graduate Studies Office:

For questions specific to a program, please contact the Graduate Program Director.

Communication Studies
Nicholas Carcioppolo – Graduate Program Director

Communication for Global Social Change
Karin Wilkins – Dean of the School of Communication

Doctoral Program
Christina Lane – Associate Dean for Graduate Studies

Documentary
Sanjeev Chatterjee – Graduate Program Director

Experience and Information Design
Barbara Millet
Graduate Program Director

Journalism
Rachel Mourão, Graduate Program Director

Interactive Media
Lindsay Grace – Graduate Program Director

Media Management
Michel Dupagne – Graduate Program Director

Motion Pictures
Ed Talavera – Graduate Program Director

Public Relations
Weiting Tao – Graduate Program Director

Students can transfer only 6 credits for 30-credit programs and only 9 credits for 36-credit programs, but conditions apply as follows:

  • Can transfer only 6 credits for 30-credit and only 9 credits for 36-credit programs.
  • Credits with grades of “B-” or less cannot be transferred.
  • Credits for courses over 6 years old, or taken by extension, cannot be transferred.
  • Credits that have been counted toward another degree cannot be transferred.

In addition, official transcripts must be submitted to transfer credits, and transferred credits will not be calculated into the University of Miami GPA.

Most programs accept between 15-18 students each year.

The Communication, Ph.D. program accepts about 6 students each year.

Please visit the US News and World Report website here.

Communication Studies

Communication for Global Social Change

Journalism

Public Relations

Documentary

Interactive Media

Motion Pictures

Experience and Information Design

Media Management

We’re here to help

Graduate Studies Office

Email: socgrad@miami.edu
Phone: (
305) 284-5236
Fax: (305) 284 – 8701