Graduate Admission

Online Master of Arts in Communication

Are you interested in becoming a leader in your profession, changing careers to one that you will
find more fulfilling, or creating more successful teams at work? In the online master’s program
at the Hugh Downs School, you will develop skills that allow you to manage the modern-day
challenges of communication in the workplace. 

Online M.A. in Communication 

Application Deadlines: 

Fall 2024
Session A: July 25, 2024
Session B: September 18, 2024

Spring 2025
Session A: December 16, 2024
Session B: February 17, 2025

Summer 2025
Session A: April 21, 2025
Session B: June 4, 2025

Fall 2025
Session A: July 24, 2025
Session B: September 17, 2025

MA Handbook

Doctor of Philosophy in Communication

The Interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in Communication is designed to prepare scholars for
research-oriented careers both inside and outside of academia. The program provides students
with training in communication theory, research methods, and a specialization in one of six
areas of concentration. Our areas of concentration include health communication, interpersonal
communication, performance studies, rhetoric, intercultural communication, and organizational
communication.

Ph.D. Program in Communication (offered at Tempe campus only)

Application Deadline:

The application window to be considered for Fall admission (and TA funding) is September 1 through January 5 each year. Note that we admit for Fall start date only (we do not have Spring entry into our program). The Admissions Committee reviews all applications after the deadline and students are typically notified by the end of February.

Required Materials

Applicants must submit all of the following materials by the deadline (January 5) in order for the Hugh Downs School Admissions Committee to consider their application:

1. ASU Graduate Application.
2. Transcripts (Note: Unofficial transcripts are accepted by Graduate Admission during the application process; official transcripts will be required if you are accepted to the program. ASU transcripts do not need to be sent.)
3. $75 ($115 for international applications) application fee.
4. International students also must meet English language proficiency requirements.
5. Formal curriculum vitae (or résumé).
6. Personal statement of career goals and the relevance of this program to those goals.
7. Sample of writing, preferably scholarly (e.g., master’s thesis chapter, undergraduate honors thesis, or course paper).
8. Three letters of recommendation must be sent directly from the recommenders via email to     PHDCOMAPP@asu.edu. At least two of these should be academic.
9. Indication of interest in a Graduate Teaching Assistantship (if an assistantship is desired) on the supplemental online application (a separate form is not necessary, as there is a Yes/No question regarding assistantships on the supplemental application).

Additional information regarding University requirements and the application itself is available through ASU Admission Services.

Graduate Assistantships

If a student receiving regular admission wishes to be considered for an appointment as a Teaching Assistant, they should indicate their interest in the online application. The teaching assistant role is an important one to the ASU community. It provides graduate students with professional development opportunities that are unique to academia while also supporting the University’s teaching, research, and service missions. All Teaching Assistants must adhere to the policies and procedures set by the Graduate College TA/RA Handbook.
 

PhD Handbook