M.A. Application Guidelines
Admission Requirements
Applicants must have earned an undergraduate degree and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0. Although the minimum requirement for graduate admission to the University is a 2.5 GPA, the Department has higher entrance requirements and selects applicants competitively. Applicants with limited background in the communication disciplines are strongly advised (though not required) to complete nine units of preparatory undergraduate coursework, determined in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator. Evaluation and selection of applicants are the responsibility of the Department's Graduate Studies Committee.
Application Process
Application to the MA program is a two-tiered process that involves a University application and a Department application. In addition to the application to the University (available at calstate.edu), applicants are required to apply directly to the Department here: https://www.applyweb.com/cgi-bin/app?s=csun
The Communication Studies department does not require GRE scores for admission to the MA program.
The application will require students to provide the following:
1. TRANSCRIPT(S)
You must submit two sets of transcripts with your application. First, submit official transcripts (certified and unopened transcripts that are sent directly from the records department of the schools you attended) from all junior colleges and/or four-year institutions with your University application. Official transcripts must be mailed directly to the CSUN Office of Admissions and Records.
Second, submit a copy of your transcripts (an unofficial copy is sufficient) with your department application. Please do not send official transcripts to the Department or send unofficial transcripts to Admissions and Records. Also, note that failure to submit official transcripts to CSUN Admissions and Records may result in a delayed decision on your application.
2. STATEMENT(S) OF PURPOSE
Please provide a detailed statement of purpose (2-3 double-spaced pages) discussing why our graduate program is right for you. This should not simply be a biographical essay that highlights previous and current academic work, or why you enjoy university education. Instead, the statement should indicate the following: the professional, intellectual, and/or career goals that would be served by obtaining a master’s degree generally; your interests in graduate work in Communication Studies in particular; and how the program at CSU Northridge would specifically help you further your interests and achieve your stated goals.
Applicants to our Teaching Associate program should submit a second, separate statement: This statement should be approximately 250 words or one page and should not speak generally to the importance of education or teaching broadly. Instead, a teaching statement for this position should articulate a vision for teaching that provides insight into why you would like to be a TA in our department, including a discussion of how you view your role as an instructor and what philosophy of instruction you would bring to the classroom.
3. TWO LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Submit two letters of recommendation that address your academic skills and promise as a graduate student. The application will provide a place for you to enter the information for your letter writers. If you are applying for a Teaching Associateship, please ask your recommenders to also address your potential for success as an instructor of our basic public speaking course.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
We begin reviewing applications each year on February 15th. The first application deadline is March 15th. Those interested in being a Teaching Associate must apply by this deadline. Students who apply by March 15th will be notified by about April 3rd and must indicate their acceptance by April 15th.
A secondary review of applications will begin on May 1st for remaining spots in the MA program. All application materials should be submitted later than May 1st for Fall admission. The final review of applications will begin on May 1st and applicants will be notified as soon as possible.
Please submit all applications to this website: https://www.applyweb.com/cgi-bin/app?s=csun
If you have any additional questions, please contact:
Bernardo Attias, Ph.D., Graduate Coordinator
Department of Communication Studies
California State University, Northridge
Manzanita Hall, Room 220
Northridge, California 91330-8257
Voice: (818) 677-6895
Email: COMSMA@csun.edu