Graduate

Admissions

Note: Due to recent circumstances surrounding hurricanes Helene and Milton, the deadline for MA applicants for the Spring 2025 semester has been extended from October 15 to November 1, 2024.

Our department embraces innovative humanistic and social scientific approaches to health communication; organizational communication; interpersonal and relational communication; and media, culture, and performance. We welcome applications from individuals interested in these areas and approaches to communication.

Please upload all materials directly to your USF application. Given the nature of the review process, we cannot guarantee a full review of supplemental materials involving non-print media (videotapes or CDs). We cannot return any application materials, so please do not send originals of any materials.

International students can find extra information for International applicants, and may also be interested in USF's International Services. For more information on the Graduate Admission process, please visit the Graduate Admissions Site.

All applicants are required to submit an application fee of $30.00 USD for graduate admission to the University of South Florida. Students may apply for multiple majors, with only one application fee being required per 12-month period from the date of initial application. If you attended USF as a former degree seeking student or non-degree student, then you will also be required to submit the application fee. However, if you participated in one of the following programs (either as a domestic or international student during an earlier program in the US) then use the Application Fee Waiver form to be considered for the waiver. If any of these do not apply then you are not eligible for an application fee waiver.

  • APS Bridge Program (American Physical Society Bridge Program)
  • RISE Program (Research Internship in Science Education)
  • MARC USTAR Program, (Maximizing Access to Research Careers Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research)
  • Leadership Alliance Consortium
  • FAMU Graduate Feeder Scholars Program (Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University)
  • McNair Scholarship Program (Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program)
  • FLGSAMP Program (Florida-Georgia Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation)
  • Education USA Opportunity Funds Program
  • National Gem Consortium

Any questions regarding application procedures or for materials that cannot be uploaded please contact or send to:

Ryan McGahan
Academic Program Specialist

Department of Communication
University of South Florida
4202 E. Fowler Ave., CIS 1040
Tampa, FL 33620-7800
Phone: (813) 396-0272

Please note that incomplete applications will not be reviewed or processed.

Application and Funding Deadlines: Ph.D. Program

Ph.D. Application Deadlines (Domestic US Citizen and Permanent Resident)
Fall Deadlines Spring Deadlines
Departmental Priority Deadline:
January 15th
These applicants will be prioritized for admission and funding opportunities.		 We do NOT offer Spring admission for Ph.D. applicants.
Consult Graduate Admissions for the University Deadline.
Ph.D. Application Deadlines (International)
Fall Deadlines Spring Deadlines
Departmental Priority Deadline:
January 15th
These applicants will be prioritized for admission and funding opportunities.
 We do NOT offer Spring admission for Ph.D. applicants.
Consult Graduate Admissions for the University Deadline.
Ph.D. Funding Request Deadlines (Domestic and International)
Fall Deadlines Spring Deadlines
Funding Request Deadline:
January 15th		 We do NOT offer Spring admission for Ph.D. applicants.
There is no separate application for departmental graduate teaching or research assistantships. To be considered for this opportunity, please email the Academic Program Specialist to establish your interest.

For more information on assistantships, visit our Teaching Assistantships page.
For more information about our priority deadlines, visit our FAQ.

Application and Funding Deadlines: M.A. Program

MA Application Deadlines (Domestic US Citizen and Permanent Resident)
Fall Deadlines Spring Deadlines
Departmental Priority Deadline: March 15th Departmental Deadline: October 15th
Consult Graduate Admissions for the University Deadline. Consult Graduate Admissions for the University Deadline.
MA Application Deadlines (International)
Fall Deadlines Spring Deadlines
Departmental Priority Deadline: March 15th Departmental Deadline: October 15th
Consult Graduate Admissions for the University Deadline. Consult Graduate Admissions for the University Deadline.
MA Assistantship Request Deadlines (Domestic and International)
Fall Deadline Spring Deadline
Funding Request Deadline: March 15th

We do NOT offer funding for Spring M.A. applicants.
There is no separate application for departmental graduate teaching or research assistantships. If you wish to be considered for this opportunity, please email the Academic Program Specialist to establish your interest.

For more information on assistantships, visit our Teaching Assistantships page.
For more information about our priority deadlines, visit our FAQ.

Required Materials

Required Application Materials for both MA and Ph.D.:
USF Graduate School Application & Fee
 USF Graduate School Applications must be submitted through the USF Tampa Graduate Application Site. Applicants have two options to pay their $30 application fee, either by Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover) or by E-Check (checking/savings account). You may be eligible for a fee waiver if you attended specific programs.
GRE Scores

* The GRE is no longer required for admission to the MA and PhD programs- view the departmental statement here.
TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE-A Scores
(For international applicants only.)

Applicants from countries recognized as non-English speaking must submit TOEFL scores taken within 5 years of the desired term of entry.
View additional information on these test scores.

TOEFL score minimum:
- 79 (internet-based test)
- 213 (computer-based test)
- 550 (written test)

Please note: If you completed your degree at a U.S. college or university, scores are not required for applicants unless you are seeking a teaching assistantship. If your scores do not meet requirements, please visit the USF INTO program.
Transcript(s)

Officially-sealed transcripts from all previous higher education institutions (undergraduate and graduate). Unofficial transcripts can be used until you are accepted, after acceptance official transcripts are required. Visit the Graduate Admissions Site for further information and requirements for domestic transcripts and foreign transcripts. Please send official transcripts to the Office of Admissions:

University of South Florida
Office of Admissions
4202 E Fowler Avenue, SVC 1036
Tampa, FL 33620
Letters of Recommendation

MA applicants must submit two (2) letters.
Ph.D. applicants must submit three (3) letters.

These letters should speak to your ability to succeed in graduate school. Character references and employment-focused letters are acceptable, but may not be as helpful as letters focused on your academic/scholarly talents. Please use My Recommendation Request(s) on the online application to submit letters of recommendation.
Curriculum Vitae (CV) or an Academic Resume

You can upload your CV or resume through the application portal.
Statement of Purpose
 Submit a short statement discussing your reasons for applying and goals for graduate school. Your statement should be approximately 2 to 4 pages, double-spaced. 
Writing Sample
 This writing sample should demonstrate your potential to write critically and well. Typical writing samples have included a communication course paper, a chapter from an Honors or M.A. thesis, a convention paper, or a journal article submitted or published. Please enclose only one writing sample.

Please note: Academic writing from previous coursework is preferable (but not mandatory) to samples of professional journalism or fictional writing.