Application Support Materials:
- Statement of Purpose (see description below)
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Photocopy of Transcripts or Unofficial Transcripts (include ALL universities attended, feel free to redact any sensitive information, like your social security number)
- Photocopy of GRE scores (if required and currently waived for Fall 2024 admissions)
- Photocopy of TOEFL Scores for international applicants only
- Writing sample (a paper you have written that represents your best academic writing)
- Fill out the online forms and upload all documents to the appropriate link for the School of Communication Interfolio site - http://apply.interfolio.com/131272.
- In lieu of recommendation letters, download and send your three letter writers our recommendation form. Be sure that your letter of recommendation writers have submitted their forms by the appropriate due date. We strongly prefer recommendations that use our form. Please assist us with the process by emailing the blank recommendation form to the individuals you have selected to prepare your recommendation letters: https://grad.sdsu.edu/_resources/files/program-forms/soc_recommendation_form.pdf.
For your information we have provided the following information in another section of the website:
- Requirements for the MA degree in Communication
- Descriptions of our graduate seminars
A statement of purpose is a 2 page document (approximately 1000 words) that describes: (a) your interest in communication scholarship, (b) your undergraduate and/or professional preparation for graduate studies in a research-intensive communication program, (c) your personal and/or career objectives that graduate studies in communication will help you pursue, and (d) (optional) your interest in applying for a Graduate Teaching Associate (GTA) position. If applicable, describe any teaching-related experience you may have. Finally, if you did not earn your BA in communication, indicate if you have taken any communication courses, either as electives or as a minor.
Take time and care with your statement of purpose. 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.
Request letters of recommendation. We require THREE (3) letters of recommendation – at least TWO (2) of the letters must be written by professors rather than employment supervisors. Your letter writers should speak to your ability to do well in a research-intensive graduate program. You will enter the contact information for your letters of recommendation in the Interfolio system (http://apply.interfolio.com/131272). Interfolio will generate a prompt to the individuals for which you have provided contact information. We strongly prefer recommendations that use our form. Please assist us with the process by emailing the blank recommendation form to the individuals you have selected to prepare your recommendation letters: https://communication.sdsu.edu/documents/soc_recommendation_form.pdf. We recommend that you double check with your letter writers to ensure that they have the correct link and have submitted the letters by the appropriate date.