Frequently Asked Questions

1. If I am admitted into the program, do I have to pick one of the three areas of specialization?
No. You may take courses in any of the three areas. Your coursework is proposed to your guidance committee who approves it based on its appropriateness to your particular interests and educational needs.

2. How long does it take to get an MA or PhD degree?
Most students complete the MA degree in 2 years (4 semesters). Most PhD students finish their degree in approximately 3 years beyond the MA degree.

3. Do you have financial aid available?
Yes. In addition to aid available from the University office of Financial Aid, we offer paid teaching assistantships to the majority of students admitted into the graduate program.

4. Do you offer a degree program in broadcast media or media production?
No. The "mass media" component of our graduate program is focused on the social scientific study of media effects and usage. Students seeking a graduate degree in broadcast media or media production should contact the University's departments of Media Arts or Journalism.

5. How many students are in the graduate program?
There are approximately 30-40 students in the graduate program at any given point in time. These numbers fluctuate with the size of the faculty. The Department is committed to keeping the ratio of graduate students to faculty at a reasonable level so as to allow for considerable individual attention for all students in the program.

6. What kinds of jobs are available to people with a graduate degree in Communication?
For people with an MA degree in Communication, there are a number of career options in the private and public sector. Some students have gone on to careers in personnel, human resources, marketing, advertising, public relations, and education (often at community colleges). People seeking a PhD are usually pursuing employment in an academic setting, primarily focused on research and teaching. Since a PhD is a research degree, and the University of Arizona is in the top tier of America's research universities, students often come to this graduate program seeking quality training and education in how to design and conduct research with a significant social impact. Usually such students take positions with universities after completing their degree.

7. What information does the Graduate Admissions Committee look at when making admissions decisions?
The committee considers the following: a. the applicant's undergraduate GPA, and graduate GPA (if applicable) b. the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores submitted by the applicant c. three letters of recommendation d. the quality of the applicant's writing sample e. the statement of purpose written by the applicant; is there a good fit between the applicant's educational interests and what the program has to offer in coursework and faculty expertise?

8. Who should I ask to write letters of recommendation?
Ideally at least one or two would come from a former professor-someone who has had you in class and can speak to your educational skills and performance. Letters from employers and supervisors are also acceptable.