Admission Requirements

Preparation for doctoral study in communication normally includes an undergraduate degree in communication or a closely related social science. Students with undergraduate training in areas other than communication are considered if their undergraduate record is exceptional and if they demonstrate outstanding potential for graduate work. Applicants with an M.A. degree from another university are also encouraged to apply to the doctoral program. Preference is given to those applicants with advanced training in communication or a closely aligned social science.

Admission to the graduate program in the Department of Communication is competitive and the departmental Graduate Committee considers several factors in addition to GPA and GRE scores. Applicants must meet the general admission requirements of the Graduate Division.

International students must score a minimum of 550 for paper-based test (PBT), 213 for computer-based test (CBT), 80 for internet-based test (IBT) (use institution code 4835), or IELTS Overall Band score of 7 or higher is required. Exemptions will be considered for those students who have completed an undergraduate or graduate education at an institution whose primary language of instruction is English.

In addition, the applicant's record should reflect a commitment to research. The statement of purpose should include a description of research experience and research interests. Applicants are encouraged to gain familiarity with the research of our faculty (refer to Faculty and Selected Publications), and to indicate in their statement of purpose how their own personal interests match with those of certain faculty members. Strong letters of recommendation that include specific details about the applicant's educational and/or research background are preferred over letters that contain only abstract generalizations about the applicant.

Application Process

UCSB no longer has paper applications. Please apply online at https://www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/eapp.

Applications to the graduate program are accepted for the Fall Quarter only.
All application materials (including GRE scores) are due by January 15, 2008.

The application process is handled by both the Department of Communication and the Graduate Division. Once your application is complete, please send each office the materials listed below:

U.S. Applicants

1) Mail to the Graduate Division:

• Check/Money Order Submission form (if paying by check or money order) The $60 non-refundable application fee (Payable by Visa or MasterCard)
• Official GRE Scores (sent electronically via ETS)

2) Mail to the Academic Department:

• Two copies of your Statement of Purpose
• Three Letters of Recommendation
• Two official Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions (in envelopes sealed by the schools)

International Applicants

1) Mail to the Graduate Division:

• Check/Money Order Submission form (electronic application)* The $60 non-refundable application fee (Payable by Visa or MasterCard, check or international money order)
• Official GRE Scores (sent electronically via ETS)
• Official TOEFL or IELTS Scores (sent electronically to UCSB)

2) Mail to the Academic Department:

• Two copies of your Statement of Purpose
• Three Letters of Recommendation
• Two official Transcripts/Translations from all post-secondary institutions (in envelopes sealed by the schools)

Mailing Addresses:
UCSB Graduate Division
Attn: Graduate Admissions
University of California 3117 Cheadle Hall
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-2070 (USA)

Academic Department:
UCSB Department of Communication
Department of Communication
4840 Ellison Hall
Santa Barbara, CA 93106 (USA)

More information about graduate study at UCSB can be found at the Graduate Division website: http://www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/

Financial Support

The Department of Communication makes every effort to provide financial support to students who are admitted for graduate study. In the last few years, our funding packages have been very competitive with those offered at other major institutions and we have been able to provide support to all entering students who request it.

Because of our large undergraduate enrollment, the most common form of financial support is a nine-month teaching assistantship. The teaching assistantship typically is a half-time appointment that comes with health insurance benefits and an educational fee reduction. Research assistantships also are available in the department, and these are awarded by faculty members who have grant supported research. In addition, qualified applicants are nominated by the department for a small number of highly competitive, campus-wide fellowships. Incoming students may receive some combination of these types of support, including a financial stipend to offset non-resident tuition. Students who are considered for admission are simultaneously considered for department- and campus-based support.

Continuing students also are eligible to apply for campus fellowships, as well as special awards to support research projects. In addition, doctoral candidates in Communication are encouraged to apply for the George D. McCune Dissertation Fellowship, a department-based award designed to support the final stages of dissertation research and writing.

Please check the UCSB Graduate Division's Financial Support Information homepage for additional information on graduate education costs, fellowships competitions and deadlines.

For further information please contact:

Nancy Siris-Rawls, Graduate Program Assistant
(805) 893-3046
nsiris@comm.ucsb.edu