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College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Department of Communication

M.S. Admission Information

Get answers to your questions about application requirements, deadlines, financial aid and more.

How to Apply

You’ll submit an online application to NC State’s Graduate School.

Application Deadline

The deadline for fall admissions is Feb. 1.

Our program accepts full- and part-time students to begin their studies during the fall semester. We do not accept applications for spring admissions.

Application Materials

Please include all of the following materials with your application. Our program does not require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

  • Résumé or Curriculum Vitae (CV): Note your accomplishments, honors, recognitions and job history.
  • Personal Statement: Tell us about your career goals and why you would be a good fit for our program.
  • Writing Samples: Demonstrate your expertise by submitting an undergraduate thesis, academic documents, marketing materials, news releases, public relations campaigns or other samples that highlight your abilities.
  • Three Reference Letters: Your references should attest to your academic and professional abilities. Reference writers must upload letters themselves to the application system.

Selection Process

Our graduate selection committee reviews applications after the Feb. 1 deadline. The committee chooses 15-20 of the top applicants from a pool of about 75 candidates.

The director of graduate programs notifies accepted candidates via email in late February or early March.

A faculty member and student point out something on a screen.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

International students who earned undergraduate degrees from universities that don’t claim English as a first language must take the TOEFL. The Graduate School’s minimum score for entry is 80; however, competitive applicants should have a minimum score of 90 or higher.

International applicants applying for financial aid through the Graduate Student Support Plan (GSSP), which requires working 20 hours a week as a Graduate Teaching or Research Assistant, must have a speaking score of at least 23. To teach undergraduate communication courses as part of the teaching assistantship, the speaking score must be 26 or higher.