Deadline to apply to the doctoral program is January 1.

The doctoral program in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications is small and selective, permitting each student a considerable degree of flexibility in tailoring courses and areas of study to fit his or her special needs and career goals. Admissions are voted on individually by the School's Graduate Council after careful consideration of a number of factors, including the applicant's academic record, especially work done at the master's level; performance on the Graduate Record Examination; professional experience; recommendations; and, in particular, the applicant's personal statement outlining reasons for applying for doctoral study and career hopes and expectations. Most applicants have at least a year, and often much more, of experience as journalism/mass communication professionals. International applicants are expected to present a TOEFL score of at least 600 (250 - computer based score) or 75, depending on the exam taken. A GRE combined score (verbal and quantitative) of 1200 and a 5.0 or better on the analytical writing score is expected, though exceptions have been made for applicants with unusually strong professional backgrounds or other evidence of outstanding professional and intellectual promise.