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. 

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 Applyweb . 

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. STATEMENT(S) OF PURPOSE

Please provide a detailed statement of purpose (2 to 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.

2. 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

There are two application deadlines each year: March 15 and May 1.

The initial review of applications will begin on March 15. Those interested in being a Teaching Associate need to apply by this deadline. Students who apply by March 15 will be notified by about April 3 and must indicate their acceptance by April 15.

A second review of applications will begin on May 1 for remaining spots in the MA program. Applicants to this round will be notified as soon as possible. 

Please note that the Department's final application deadline of May 1 is earlier than the listed deadline of July 1 on the Cal State Apply website.