Graduate - Frequently Asked Questions
1. I am a foreign student. What special requirements must I meet for admission?
2. What if my undergraduate major was not in Communication?
3. How long does my personal statement have to be?
4. What is the deadline for application?
5. Can I apply for spring or summer admission
7. How can I find out about the status of my application?
8. When are admission decisions made?
9. What kind of financial aid is available?
10. How do I apply for financial aid?
15. How long can I take to finish my degree?
1. I am a foreign student. What special requirements must I meet for admission?
Foreign students meet the same requirements as domestic students. In addition, they must take the TOEFL examination and receive a score of at least 600 (paper-based) or 250 (computer-based).
2. What if my undergraduate major was not in Communication?
Contact the Director of Graduate Studies to discuss your situation. You may be required to take additional communication courses to make up any deficiencies.
3. How long does my personal statement have to be?
As stated on the Graduate College web site, the Master's Program personal statement should be around 600 words and the PhD Program statement should be around 250 to 300 words.
4. What is the deadline for my application?
If you are applying for Financial Aid the deadline is January 1 for the following fall term. If not, it's February 1.
5. Can I apply for spring or summer admission?
No. Students are admitted for the fall term only.
6. All of my other information is in, but my scores (GRE or TOEFL) will be late. Can I still apply for this year?
You can apply. However, the Department cannot guarantee that you will be considered for financial assistance.
7. How can I find out about the status of my application?
Send an e-mail to comm@uic.edu or call the Department at 312-996-3187.
8. When are admission decisions made?
Admission decisions are made in mid-March for applications that are complete.
9. What kind of financial aid is available?
There are three types of financial aid for graduate students:
1. University Fellowships: A monthly stipend and a tuition and service fee waiver.
2. Assistantships: monthly stipend and a tuition and service fee waiver. These are competitive within the Department.
3. Tuition and fee Waiver: Also competitive within the Department.
10. How do I apply for financial aid?
Complete the Application for Graduate Appointment form and return it to the Department by February 1.
11. How much will I get?
The stipend for the fellowship varies. The full-time equivalent rate for the 2006-2007 academic year in the Department is $27,000 (or half of that amount per semester). A typical assistantship is 25 percent effort (33 percent if teaching a course independently) for an M.A. student and 50 percent for a Ph.D. student.
12. What if I need housing?
Contact the University Housing Office at 312.355.6300. or see the Campus Housing site. or The Chicago Reader, a Chicago weekly, offers an extensive listing of apartment rentals.
13. How do I register for classes?
You can register for classes after you have been admitted to the university. You can register by phone (312.433.8429) or at the UIC Web for Students. Contact the Director of Graduate Studies if you have any questions about which courses you should take.
14. I am a transfer student from another graduate program. Which courses can be applied to the program at UIC?
Contact the Director of Graduate Studies to discuss your situation.
15. How long can I take to finish my degree?
5 years for MA, 7 for PhD (with MA in hand). See the details on the Graduate College web site.
1007 W Harrison Street, Behavioral Sciences Building 1140, MC132 Chicago IL 60607 | Phone: 312-996-3187 | Fax: 312-413-2125
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