Admission Requirements

Applicants are considered on an individual basis. Besides the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:

• Baccalaureate Field No restrictions. It is recommended  that applicants have the equivalent of 20 semester hours of study in communication, media, or similar programs of social inquiry, such as political science and sociology.
• Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00 for the final 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of undergraduate study.
• Tests Required GRE optional.
• English Proficiency Additional information on the English proficiency test requirement for international students can be found on the UIC Admissions website. Minimum test scores for this program are:

  • Minimum English Competency Test Scores

    Exam	Score	Reading	Listening	Speaking	Writing
    TOEFL iBT (exams taken prior to January 21, 2026)	95	24	24	24	22
    IELTS	7.0	6.5	6.5	6.5	6.5
    PTE Academic	54	51	47	53	56

• Resume Required. 1-2 pages.
• Transcripts Complete transcripts of all past undergraduate and (any) graduate work must be submitted. 
• Personal Statement Required. 600 words. The statement should address how graduate study in the program and department relates to the applicant's career or other aims.
• Letters of Recommendation Optional. Two, along with a completed Rating Form, preferably from a mix of academic and professional recommenders.
• Writing Sample Optional.
• Other Requirements Students will be matriculated on a rolling basis.
• Nondegree Applicants Rarely accepted. Nondegree applicants must submit all credentials and meet the same admission requirements as degree applicants. Nondegree students may not take individual study courses. 

Degree Requirements

• Minimum Semester Hours Required 32, with 20 hours of required core courses and 12 hours of electives.
• Coursework At least 16 semester hours must be at the 500 level. Students who receive more than one grade below B in their graduate coursework, or four incompletes that have not been made up within the regulatory one term, will be dropped from the program.

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No more than 8 hours of COMM 594 may be taken and must be approved by the program director.

• Thesis, Project, or Coursework-Only Options Students will complete projects as part of their required coursework for COMM 520. No other options are available.