Why Communication Studies at SDSU?

This page contains information about applying to the M.A. program in the School of Communication.

Submit to the University:


A.   Read about the MA program and Graduate Teaching Associate Positions on the School of Communication Website

 

Our M.A. program provides students with the choice of preparing for a career in academe or for developing their research and analytic skills for careers in corporate, nonprofit, and governmental organizations. Instruction is designed to help students discover, analyze, and demonstrate how communication processes are centrally important in creating, shaping, and interpreting quality communities.  This program is driven by the close mentorship relationships between faculty and masters’ students. Priority is given to the development of students’ expertise and skills in each of the following areas:

  • Mastery of knowledge and abilities in communication theory and practice.
  • Completion of theses that prepare students to become change agents in the career paths they are pursuing.
  • Collaboration in research and instructional teams.
  • Participation in fieldwork in diverse settings relevant to the social issues being investigated.
  • Presentation of scholarly papers at professional conferences.
  • Co-authorship of research articles with faculty and other graduate students.

 

The School of Communication offers new and continuing graduate students the opportunity to teach undergraduate classes, primarily Communication 103 an introductory course in oral communication. Graduate Teaching Associates (GTAs) receive an annual stipend, an out-of-state fee waiver, and full benefits (medical, dental, and vision). GTA positions are competitive and admission to the graduate program does not ensure the assignment of a teaching assistantship. Please indicate in your cover letter to the School of Communication that you are applying for a GTA position.  If you have specific questions about the GTA position, please contact the Director of the Basic Course, Dr. Kurt Lindemann <klindema@mail.sdsu.edu>

 

B.  Log on to SDSU’s MyGAP

Prospective graduate students should visit our Graduate Access Page, or MyGAP. http://arweb.sdsu.edu/es/admissions/graduate/  Using MyGAP you can build a customized web page containing personalized information about SDSU graduate programs of specific interest to you. Please click on the icon below to create your own MyGAP web site.

C. Contact the Director of Graduate Studies

 

If after reading the website you have questions about our program or the process of applying for our program, please contact the Director of Graduate Studies:

Dr. Patricia Geist Martin, Professor

School of Communication

pgeist@mail.sdsu.edu

 

D.  Take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

 

The School of Communication requires all applicants to meet minimum GRE requirements of: 450 Verbal, 450 Quantitative, 950 total (i.e., combined verbal and quantitative), and 4.0 Written. For information about the GRE exam use the Educational Testing Services (ETS) website:  www.ets.org  Once you have taken the exam be sure it is sent to SDSU (Institution Code 4682). Students often ask if they can re-take the test. According to ETS: 

 

In our department, we accept combined scores from two different tests (e.g. the verbal from one test time with the quantitative from another test time). 

Since it often takes 6 weeks for the GRE scores to arrive at SDSU, it is important to plan ahead and take the exam at least two months BEFORE the deadline for applying to graduate school.  If you want the option to re-take the test then you will need to plan ahead. 

 

E.  Let Us Know of Your Intent to Apply to our Program

 

 Please complete the form on our website that informs us of your intent to apply. This information will be used to set up a file on your behalf and is essential to tracking your application.

 

F.  Contact Professors to Request Letters of Recommendation

 

In our program, there is no official form for letters of recommendation. We prefer that your letters are written by professors rather than employment supervisors. Your letter writers should speak to your ability to do well in graduate school and to your ability to teach if you are applying for a Graduate Teaching Associate (GTA) position.  Take the time to follow the guidelines below in order to help your letter writers write the best possible letter of recommendation.

 

Process for Requesting Letters of Recommendation

    • Contact your professors and ask if they would be willing to write you a letter of recommendation. If they say “yes” then indicate that:

      1.       you will provide them with a file folder of materials to assist them in the process

            2. you will pick up the letter from them once it is ready

            3. they need to be sure to sign the back seal of the envelope

    • Create a file folder for each professor with your name written clearly on the tab.  Inside the file folder include the following:

      1. A cover letter indicating what courses you took from the professor, when you took the courses, the grade you earned, and the name of the project you wrote for the class. Also indicate in this cover letter anything else about your time at your institution that might be worth mentioning in the letter of recommendation.
       
      2. A page listing the program(s) you are applying to (description), the deadline for applying, and the name of the person and address to whom the letter should be directed. It is best to sequence this list based on the first deadline a letter is due.

      3.       A copy of your transcripts

      4.       A copy of the personal statement you will submit with your application.

      5.       A resume or vita

      6.       Anything else you can include that might assist the professor in writing the letter (e.g., sample of your writing) 

      7.       Provide the addresses for the letters on self-adhesive labels, so the writers can peel and stick onto their own letterhead envelopes

G.  Submit the California State University application electronically at CSUMentor along with the $55 application fee.

You are required to complete a CSU application and pay your fee online via CSUMentor: http://www.csumentor.edu/AdmissionApp/. International students should visit the International Student Center for International Student Application Procedures. http://www.isc.sdsu.edu/prospective/

 

Recently, the School of Communication moved to a FALL ONLY admission. Beginning Fall 2008, the deadline for application for early admission is February 1.  However, there may be an opportunity to submit applications after the deadline.  Please contact Dr. Patricia Geist Martin at pgeist@mail.sdsu.edu. 





Submit OFFICIAL Transcripts and GRE and TOEFL Test Scores to:


Graduate Admissions
Enrollment Services
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-7416

 

Transcripts: One set of official transcripts (in sealed envelopes) from all postsecondary institutions attended. (Students who attended SDSU need only submit transcripts for work completed since last attendance.) Students with international coursework must submit both the official transcript and proof of degree. If documents are in a language other than English, they must be accompanied by a certified English translation.

 GRE Scores: The School of Communication requires all applicants to meet minimum GRE requirements of 450 Verbal, 450 Quantitative, 950 total (verbal and quantitative combined), and 4.0 Written.

TOEFL Scores: If your medium of instruction was in a language other than English then a TOEFL score is required (www.ets.org, SDSU Institution Code 4682).  A minimum score of 550 on the paper exam, 213 on the computer-based TOEFL, 79 on the internet exam, or 6.5 on the International Language Testing System (IELTS) is required.



Submit the following to: Dr. Patricia Geist-Martin Director of Graduate Studies School of Communication San Diego State University 5500 Campanile Drive San Diego, CA 92182-4560  [Back to Top]

Indicates that you applied on line, paid your fee, and submitted official transcripts and scores to Graduate Admissions.

Indicates if you are applying for a Graduate Teaching Associate (GTA) position and describes the details of any teaching experience. If you did not receive an undergraduate degree in communication, list any communication or communication-related coursework that might prepare you for teaching.  [Back to Top]

You need to provide the following in order to be considered for admission::

Three letters of recommendation from academic or professional references that speak to your ability to succeed in graduate studies. We prefer that at least two of the letters be written by professors who can speak to your academic background and capabilities. [Back to Top]

A personal statement of purpose that: (1) describes your interest in communication, (2) describes your undergraduate and/or professional preparation for graduate studies in the communication program, and (3) articulates your personal and/or career objectives that graduate studies in communication will help you pursue. Take time and care with your personal statement. It is very important. It is the first thing we read and the first indication we have of who you are and why you should be selected over other very well qualified candidates, and (4) (optional) describes your interest in a Graduate Teaching Associate position, addressing how this desire relates to your interest in communication, your past academic and professional experience, and your career objectives. [Back to Top]

It is essential to send photocopies of your transcripts and GRE and TOEFL scores to the School of Communication. Eventually, we will receive the official transcripts and scores from Graduate Admissions. However, we may be in a position to review your material and make admission and GTA decisions before the material arrives from the Graduate Admissions office. [Back to Top]

Early Admission Deadline for all applicants is February 1. However, we are willing to review additional applications after February 1 and will admit candidates depending on qualifications and space available. Please contact Dr. Patricia Geist-Martin, Director of Graduate Studies, at pgeist@mail.sdsu.edu

National Reputation

Prospective graduate students are encouraged to visit the Graduate Access Page, MyGAP. Using MyGAP you can create a personalized web page containing information about all SDSU graduate programs that you are interested in. Click on the MyGap image to begin.[Back To Top]