Communication

Supported Degree Objectives


  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
  • Master of Arts (MA)
  • Master of Science (MS) - Online
  • Communication and Leadership Graduate Certificate - Online
  • Strategic Communication Management Graduate Certificate - Online
  • Non Degree

Required Supporting Documents


English Proficiency Requirements


  • The following English proficiency minimum scores are required by this program for the tests listed below. To view additional English proficiency options accepted by this program and the Graduate School, visit the English Proficiency Requirements page.

TOEFL: Internet-Based Test (IBT): Minimum Overall Required Score: 80
Minimum section requirements:

  • Reading: 19
  • Listening: 14
  • Speaking: 27
  • Writing: 18

TOEFL: Essentials: Minimum Overall Required Score: 9.5
Minimum section requirements:

  • Reading: 9
  • Listening: 9
  • Speaking: 12
  • Writing: 9

For our residential MA/Ph.D. programs (students must have a minimum of 12 on the Speaking section, and 9 or greater on all other sections). For the Online MS program, students must score 8 or greater on all four sections.

IELTS (Academic Module): Minimum Overall Required Score: 8
Minimum section requirements:

  • Reading: 6.5
  • Listening: 6
  • Speaking: 8
  • Writing: 5.5

Note: For the Online MS Program, a minimum TOEFL score of 80, IELTS score of 6.5, and Duolingo score of 120 is required. The minimum section requirements above are for the Residential program. The Online program minimum section requirements align with the graduate school minimums.

Master's Degree/Certificate Program Requirements


  • Cumulative Grade Point Average from most recently conferred undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree:
    • 3.0 or equivalent (A=4.0)

Doctoral Degree Program Requirements


  • Cumulative Grade Point Average from most recently conferred undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree:
    • 3.0 or equivalent (A=4.0)
  • Master's Degree Completion with Cumulative Grade Point Average (international applicants only):
    • 3.0 or equivalent (international applicants only, A=4.0)

Application Deadlines


  • Residential

  • Fall Spring Summer
    December 1 -Application review begins No Entry No Entry
    February 1 - Final Deadline

  • Online

  • Fall Spring Summer
    August 1 December 1 April 1

Program Contact Information


Additional Information


  • Current master's students wishing to move to a doctoral degree program in this same graduate program will be required to submit a new application.
  • Current students looking to add an additional program will be required to submit a new application.
Purdue West Lafayette campus