Applicants to the Joint Ph.D. in Mass Communications may apply to one or both departments, depending on your areas of research interest. Options are:

  • Mass Communications: Journalism & Mass Comm (code G630L)
  • Mass Communications: Life Sciences Comm (code G630A)

Applicants are expected to have demonstrated an interest and background in communication research by having earned a thesis-based M.A. or M.S. degree in communication or other relevant disciplines. Each department’s admissions committee, however, may accept other evidence of suitable preparation. For specific foci, such as science or health communication, students might also enter the program with graduate or undergraduate training in the physical or biological sciences or in engineering. Students must meet the minimum requirements for admission set by the Graduate School.

The application deadline for both departments is December 15. In rare cases, late applications into the Department of Life Sciences Communication might be considered until April 15. Late applications will not be processed unless approved beforehand by the LSC Graduate Committee. Late applications may not be eligible for full funding consideration.

Applicants must submit an online application, GRE scores, a statement of purpose, official transcripts of grades, a CV, and three letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation should come from people who can speak to the scholarly abilities of the applicant. International applicants are required to take and attain a satisfactory score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam. Test scores must be furnished to the program before the application is considered complete.

Among the indicators considered for admission are:

  • Quality of an applicant’s academic record and standardized test scores
  • Preparation to pursue an advanced degree
  • Clearly defined goals and rationale for graduate education
  • Compatibility of goals with faculty specializations and areas of expertise

The Graduate School establishes minimum admission criteria for all students who enter the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The Joint Ph.D. Program in Mass Communications, however, has additional requirements, which are listed below.

  • Bachelor’s and thesis-based Master’s degrees from accredited institutions
  • Applicants must receive their M.A. or M.S. before the start of the fall semester for which they are applying
  • Recommended minimum 3.5 cumulative graduate GPA (4.0) scale on M.A. or M.S. degree course work

Additional requirements for international applicants:

Applicants who earn degrees from institutions where the language of instruction is not exclusively English and applicants who earn degrees at bilingual institutions are required to take an English proficiency exam. Official minimum score requirements are listed below:

  • TOEFL, Internet-based Test: Recommended minimum 92 (120 point scale)
  • TOEFL, Paper-based Test: Recommended minimum 580 (677 point scale)
  • IELTS: Recommended minimum score of 7
  • MELAB: Recommended minimum score of 82