Admission to our graduate programs is based on review by our Graduate Studies Committee. Please plan to apply by December 1 for the upcoming Autumn Semester. The online application becomes available each August. The application for admission Autumn Semester 2025 is now closed.
The Graduate School, upon the recommendation of the Graduate Studies Committee of the School of Communication, admits students to graduate study in Communication. Recommendations for admission are based on seven factors:
- The applicant's statement of interest and intent with regard to a graduate program in the School of Communication;
- Detailed resume;
- At least three letters of recommendation;
- Cumulative undergraduate grade point average;
- Undergraduate and graduate transcripts;
- *Scores on the general aptitude sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)*; and
- Writing sample or other evidence of potential for success in graduate study.
In the case of international students whose first language is not English, the TOEFL or IELTS exam is required. Please see the Graduate Admissions website for any information about exemptions.
*The School of Communication continues to request the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) as one component of our comprehensive review process. Given the holistic nature of our application review, there is NOT a strict cutoff for GRE scores. The Graduate Studies Committee continues to monitor the most recent research on the predictive utility of the GRE, specifically within our own field, and uses the GRE in accordance with evidence-based best practices. Ensuring student success is our top priority. One of the best ways to ensure student success is to use all available information to determine if prospective students are a good fit for our specific graduate programs. However, we do not want GRE scores to serve as a barrier for applicants. The absence of GRE scores will not be held against any applicant who can provide all other required materials. Applicants who do not provide GRE scores may consider highlighting in their statement of interest other indicators of quantitative ability (e.g., math/stats courses, research experience with quantitative methods) given the social scientific nature of our training and our required statistics courses.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our graduate program coordinator by emailing comm@osu.edu or by phone at 614-292-6503.