Application Information

The School of Media & Communication takes applications for all of the graduate programs throughout the year. 

Requirements for Applicants:

• Graduate Certificates 
• MA Program
• Ph.D. Program

Graduate Application Process

Graduate Assistantship Opportunities

Graduate Certificates Requirements:                 

For students who are already enrolled in a graduate program at BGSU:
Current graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.

For stand-alone certificate applicants:

• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 3.0 grade-point average (GPA)
• English requirement set by the Graduate College of BGSU (International students only)*

*Students who earned a Bachelor’s degree in a university where the medium of instruction is English are waivered from the English requirement.

**No GRE scores are required to obtain admission to the Graduate Certificate programs.

MA Program Requirements:                 

• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 3.0 grade-point average (GPA)
• English requirements set by the Graduate College of BGSU (International students only)**
• A statement of purpose that explains the applicant's research interests, and how it is situated within one of the MA specializations or areas of emphasis in the School. The statement of purpose should also explain the applicant's goals for their MA program; namely, do they seek to use the MA to pursue further education (e.g., a PhD), or do they seek to use it for professional development.
• Statement of Purpose Checklist
  1. Length: 2-3 pages, single-spaced
  2. Short personal introduction (no more than one page)
  3. Why interested in pursuing a MA program in Communication and why chose BGSU
  4. What challenges you expect in studying for a MA program and your preparation for it
  5. Description of courses taken that are related to the study in the graduate program
  6. Relate your purpose of study to the specializations in the MA program  international/intercultural specialization or generalist option with ONE of the three emphasis areas of study in BGSU Media and Communication PhD program.
  7. Prior research, teaching and work experience that you think will benefit your study and qualify for assistantship in the program
  8. Specify BGSU faculty of interest (can be more than one) and why interested in working with them (Ph.D. program only)
  9. If non-communication related majors, explain why interest in studying communication and how past academic background help in the study of communication
• An Academic Writing Example
• Quantitative Reasoning writing example or an Explanation of Statistical or Research Method Courses took at undergraduate level if pursuing quantitative research

Ph.D. Program Requirements:

• Master degree (MA, MS, MFA) from an accredited master’s program
• Minimum 3.2 grade-point average (GPA)
• English requirements set by the Graduate College of BGSU (International students only)
• A statement of purpose that explains the applicant's research interests, and situates those interests  within one of the School's three areas of emphasis. The statement of purpose should also explain how their research interests intersect with those of specific graduate faculty in the School.
• Statement of Purpose Checklist
  1. Length: 2-3 pages, single-spaced
  2. Short personal introduction (no more than one page)
  3. Why interested in pursuing a PhD program in Communication and why chose BGSU
  4. What challenges you expect in studying for a PhD program and your preparation for it
  5. Description of courses taken that are related to the study in the graduate program
  6. Relate your purpose of study to ONE of the three emphasis areas of study in BGSU Media and Communication PhD program.
  7. Prior research, teaching and work experience that you think will benefit your study and qualify for assistantship in the program
  8. Specify BGSU faculty of interest (can be more than one) and why interested in working with them (Ph.D. program only) See BGSU Faculty Page
  9. If non-communication related majors, explain why interest in studying communication and how past academic background help in the study of communication
• An Academic Writing Example
• Quantitative Reasoning writing example or an Explanation of Statistical or Research Method Courses took at undergraduate level and graduate level if pursuing quantitative research

*The graduate faculty in the BGSU School of Media & Communication takes a holistic approach in reviewing application materials and considers the English test scores (for applicants of non-English speaking countries) as part of the total package.

Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Program Requirements:

• By the start of Pre-Master's status, either: 
  • 75 credit hours earned and an overall BGSU GPA of at least 3.2, OR
  • 90 credit hours earned and an overall BGSU GPA of at least 3.0. 

• A completed Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Program Application; Official transcripts from all universities attended (BGSU paper transcripts are not needed. Records can be viewed online):
• At least one letter of recommendation from a full-time BGSU faculty member, preferably from graduate faculty within the student's major or targeted graduate program.