Ph.D. Application and Deadlines

Students applying for admission to SC&I’s Ph.D. program in Communication, Information and Media typically have completed a master's degree in communication, information science, library studies or another related academic or professional field. Highly qualified students from strong programs or research backgrounds without a master's degree may also apply in special circumstances, but should contact Director of the Ph.D. Program Director Melissa Aronczyk before doing so.

We advise all prospective Ph.D. students to review doctoral program admissions requirements and deadlines before submitting an application. Students in the school’s Ph.D. program may elect to focus study in:

• Communication
• Library and Information Science (iSchool)
• Media Studies

You can find extensive information about all three doctoral areas of concentration in the Ph.D. program section.

For questions about application requirements, guidelines, and statuses, visit the University Graduate and Professional Admissions webpage. For accessing downloadable application forms, visit the Graduate & Professional Admissions Forms webpage.

We consider students holistically when making admissions decisions and consider the whole package of materials to determine a candidate's fit in the program and the likelihood of success. An application for the Ph.D. Program will be evaluated on the basis of:

1. A personal statement from the student relating experience and research interests to the Ph.D. Program.
2. A writing sample. Examples of acceptable writing samples include a chapter or portion of your master's thesis, a term paper from a previous class, an academic conference paper or journal publication, a professional work product, etc.
3. A curriculum vita (CV) listing academic degrees, positions, and accomplishments, or a professional resume.
4. Undergraduate and graduate academic transcripts (records equivalent to at least the 3.0 or B level). Applicants must submit a transcript evaluation when their studies are accomplished outside the United States. If your institution is a sending member of Parchment, eScrip-Safe, or National Student Clearinghouse, Rutgers will be able to receive your official transcripts electronically. We also accept electronic transcripts from India sent via TrueCopy Credentials. Applicants from Chinese institutions should request and submit official transcripts directly through CHESICC. Requests are processed by CHESICC and will be sent electronically to the admissions office. You will not need to submit a paper copy of your transcript.
5. Three letters of recommendation from persons with a relationship to the student in academic (or professional) contexts.
6. Non-native English-speaking applicants must submit the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Results must be from within the last three years. You are exempt from submitting TOEFL or IELTS scores if you have already completed (at the time of application submission) three or more consecutive academic years in an undergraduate or graduate curriculum where the only language of instruction was English. The minimum score requirement for admission to the School of Communication & Information is a paper-based TOEFL score: 550. Computer-based TOEFL score: 213. IBT-internet-based TOEFL: Writing 24, Speaking 24, Reading 22, Listening 19. An acceptable IELTS score is bandwidth 7.5.

Graduate Records Exam (GRE) scores are OPTIONAL for applicants. All applications will be reviewed equally with or without GRE scores. Not submitting GRE scores will not hurt an applicant's chances of admission, nor will submitting GRE scores give applicants an advantage in admissions.

Students applying for admission to the Ph.D. program typically have completed a master's degree in communication, information science, library studies, media studies or another related academic or professional field. Highly qualified students from strong programs or research backgrounds without a master's degree may also apply in special circumstances

We also encourage applicants to reach out to faculty in the Ph.D. program to express interest in working with them, learn more about their program of research, and gain insights into the program.

SC&I only admits students for a fall semester start; no students are permitted to begin the program in spring. Application deadlines for the fall term are December 15th of each year. Students requesting financial aid must apply by December 15th.