Graduate - Programs
Program Descriptions | Application Requirements/Process | Assistantships, Fellowships or Tuition Waivers | Other Funding Opportunities
Program Descriptions
Graduate programs have a central goal to produce scholars who will be critical consumers and producers of research about communication, whether in academic or applied settings, and who will contribute to the growth of knowledge in those settings.
Master's study and research are available in two general areas, media studies and intercultural diversity. These areas intertwine, with an emphasis on breadth and integration. Inquiry in media studies ranges, for example, from journalism ethics to electronic media and computer-mediated communication. Cultural inquiry ranges across language and symbolic representation, critical theory, social inequality and racism, and cross-cultural differences.
Doctoral study focuses on communication and technology. Students develop thorough understanding of the field, expertise in its theories, skills needed to conduct effective research, and experience teaching in a university setting. They also acquire a specialization from among those recognized in scholarly societies and reflected in the current research emphases among department faculty. Besides new technologies, current areas of faculty interest include political, diversity, visual, and health studies, among others.
A signature feature of Department programs is their flexibility. Students pursue individual aims with advice from an adviser, designing a course of study to reach their own educational goals. Because the Department strongly encourages interdisciplinary work, students may study with scholars in communication and allied disciplines. Interdepartmental concentrations are available in Gender and Women's Studies and in Latin American and Latino Studies.
The information on this web site is by no means exhaustive and cannot answer all questions that may arise. Additional details are in the Graduate Catalog, the semester timetables, and the Graduate College site. To suggest other information that would be useful to add, please inform the Director of Graduate Studies.
You'll find the Descriptions, Admission and Degree Requirements for the Communication MA and PhD Programs at the UIC Graduate College site.
Application Requirements/Process
For priority funding consideration for assistantships, fellowships or tuition waivers the application deadline is January 1. The final deadline for all applications is February 1 and consideration for funding is subject to availability. If accepted, you will begin the following Fall. To apply:
1. Complete the on-line application form.
IMPORTANT! When prompted, use the following codes:PhD: 20FS9953PHD
MA: 20FS1113MA
2. Send the following official documents directly to Office of Graduate Admissions (address below)
- Official Transcripts
- GRE scores
- TOEFL scores (if applicable)
DO NOT SEND THESE 3 DOCUMENTS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION.
- Office of Graduate Admissions Address
-
Office of Admissions and Records (OAR)
Graduate Admissions (MC 018)
Box 7994
Chicago IL 60680-7994
If you are unable to apply on-line, download and complete the application form then mail it and your fee to OAR.
3. Send the following documents to the Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Communication
- Three letters of recommendation
- Graduate Appointment Application (pdf) (for assistantships, fellowships or tuition waivers)
- Personal Statement (600 words MA. 250-300 PhD)
- Writing sample (MA Optional, Ph.D required)
- Director of Graduate Studies Address
- Andrew Rojecki, Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Communication, MC 132
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
1007 West Harrison Street
Chicago IL 60607-7137
· Your application is complete only when all of the above components have been received. ·
Assistantships, Fellowships or Tuition Waivers
There are four types of financial assistance for graduate students:- University Fellowships: monthly stipend, tuition,service, and assessment fee waiver.
- Assistantships (competitive within the Department): monthly stipend, tuition, service, and assessment fee waiver.
- Tuition and Service Fee Waiver (also competitive within the Department.)
- Department UBS Fellowship:
The University of Illinois at Chicago's Department of Communication, in conjunction with the United Bank of Switzerland (UBS), has established the UBS Fellowship to support a deserving student during his/her first year of graduate study. The fellowship is designated for a highly-qualified student with a focused research interest in new media technologies. Qualified applicants with a bachelor's degree, must have graduated from a Chicago area (city or suburban) high school. The UBS Fellowship provides a stipend of $15,000 for the academic year, in addition to waiver of tuition.
For more information about the fellowship and application procedures, email Andrew Rojecki, Director of Graduate Studies, or call (312) 996-4460.
Other Funding Opportunities
Everything you need to know about Graduate Funding is on the Graduate College web page, Funding Your Education. Communication Graduate Student Awards are covered in the Awards section of this site.
Travel Support
Graduate students may apply for travel support to present papers at professional conferences. There are several sources of travel support available.
- Graduate Student Council. The GSC provides travel support for graduate students to present their research. The application form is on the GSC website, and interested students may also consult the GSC representative.
- Graduate College. Students may apply for travel awards by one of the following permanent annual deadlines on the first day of September, December, March, and June. See the Graduate College site.
- Department. The Department provides a partial match for the above awards to students with papers accepted for delivery at national and international scholarly meetings. To apply, submit a copy of the applications to the department head.
1007 W Harrison Street, Behavioral Sciences Building 1140, MC132 Chicago IL 60607 | Phone: 312-996-3187 | Fax: 312-413-2125
Contact the Department for general information. Contact the Webmaster for this site with suggestions, problems, corrections, or praise.