M.A. in Communication

“Speech is a mirror of the soul: as a man speaks, so is he.” - Publilius Syrus

Program Overview

The Communication master's degree offered at UNC is the only M.A. in Communication offered at a Colorado public university that emphasizes communication theory and rhetorical theory plus the application of theory to a professional career of your choice. Through required core courses, you acquire a comprehensive background in Communication and a thorough knowledge of the discipline.

The program focuses on the study of human symbolic interaction. Students will emphasize course work related to rhetorical and communication theory, interpersonal and group communication, and communication research methods.

Successful completion of the program can help you advance your current professional career, prepare you for careers in business and industry requiring expertise in human communication, or prepare you for a Ph.D. program in communication.

UNC offers unique scheduling to accommodate the working student. Graduate classes are scheduled in the evenings and on the weekends.

Contact the graduate coordinator for more information:

Dr. James Keaten
Phone: (970) 351-2211
E-mail: James.Keaten@unco.edu

Admissions Deadlines

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but priority deadline for fall admissions is March 1st.  

Admission Requirements

Applicants must apply to the Graduate School at the University of Northern Colorado before the program area reviews the applicant's request for admission. Failure to submit all required materials will delay the evaluation and screening of your application

Each applicant must:

• Possess a baccalaureate degree from a Institutionally Accredited college or university or a comparable degree from a foreign institution.

• Have a GPA of 3.00 or better (on a 4.00 scale) for the most recent degree earned or current degree in progress.

  • If you are still completing your bachelor's degree at the time you apply, admission will be based on your current cumulative GPA, and you will need to re-submit your official transcript (showing your conferred degree and final GPA) during your first semester. If your final GPA fell below 3.00, you will be given additional academic stipulations to remain enrolled at UNC.

  • If you have completed a master's degree, or at least 18 credit hours towards a master's degree, the GPA of your master's work will be used.

Take the following steps to be considered for admission:

Step 1: Complete the Application

Complete the online application and pay the application fee (The application fee process will appear once you complete all application questions and submit the application.)

• Domestic Students: $50 non-refundable application fee
• International Students: $60 non-refundable application fee

Step 2: Transcripts

Request one official transcript from any accredited college or university where a bachelor’s degree or higher was earned or is in progress (if you have earned multiple degrees, bachelor’s level or higher, an official transcript is required from each college or university where a degree was conferred). If you received a degree from UNC, you do not need to request a transcript from UNC. The Graduate School & International Admissions Office reserves the right to request that applicants provide official transcripts from other colleges or universities as needed. Applicants who have earned or are directly pursuing a higher degree from an accredited institution without receiving a bachelor’s degree (i.e. PharmD) may be eligible to apply to the Graduate School without the conferral of a bachelor’s degree.

Exceptions:

• If an applicant intends to use Veteran’s Education Benefits, an official transcript from all colleges or universities attended will be required in order to maintain compliance with Veteran’s Affairs policies.

• Per program requirements, some programs may require that official transcripts from each college or university attended be submitted for admission consideration. Currently, applicants to the following programs must list all colleges or universities attended and provide official transcripts for each:  

  • Biomedical Sciences MBS
  • Sport and Exercise Science — Biomechanics Emphasis (M.S. and Ph.D.)

Official transcripts from U.S. institutions should be sent via mail directly from the educational institution in an unopened, sealed envelope or through an electronically secure digital program from the issuing institution.

Mailed transcripts should be sent to:
Graduate School and International Admissions
University of Northern Colorado
Campus Box 135
501 20th Street
Greeley, CO 80639

Electronic transcripts from U.S. institutions should be sent directly from the educational institution to: grad.applicationmaterials@unco.edu.

The Graduate School and International Admissions does not accept email, scanned or PDF transcripts directly from applicants. All official transcripts, submitted as part of the application process, are retained by UNC and not returned to applicants or admitted students.

UNC retains submitted transcripts, from institutions other than UNC, for admitted students for up to five years after graduation or date of last attendance at UNC. Transcripts provided by applicants who were not admitted, denied admissions or did not complete their application are destroyed after one (1) year. The Graduate School will make every attempt to use previously-submitted transcripts if they are within these timeframes. However, if the Graduate School cannot locate previously submitted transcripts, the transcripts fall outside the timeframes listed above, or they are considered illegible, applicants must provide new transcripts.

Applicants with academic credentials from outside the U.S. will need to follow the requirements for submission of foreign transcripts. Click on the Transcripts tab for information about international transcripts.

Step 3: Supplemental Items

You will need to log back into the online application system, scroll down and click on "Submit Supplemental Items" to do the following:

1. Upload the item below:
• Letter of intent: In fewer than 500 words (one-two pages), describe why you wish to pursue an M.A. in Communication
2. Request three letters of recommendation - Select individuals who can assess your ability to obtain a Master's Degree in Communication (click on "start" to initiate each recommendation request).

Additional Information:

• Please note that TA and GRA positions are awarded on a competitive basis.
• Applicants may choose to take the GRE, but it is not required. UNC's institutional code for GRE scores is 4074.

Once you apply to the UNC Graduate School and your application packet is complete, your application will be reviewed by the Graduate School and then sent to the faculty/program for an admission decision. The timing of the admission decision depends on each individual program’s deadline and review process.

International Applicants

International applicants (non-U.S. citizen/non-U.S. Permanent Resident) please refer to the International Admissions Requirements page for further information about submitting transcripts, English proficiency scores, passport copy and financial documentation.

For More Information
For more information about the admission process, please email the Graduate School at grad.school@unco.edu, or call 970-351-2831.

Other Forms and Documents

• TA Application Form
• Graduate Course Rotation