Graduate Application Procedures :: Department of Communication & Journalism | The University of New Mexico
Thank you for your interest in the Graduate Program in Communication. Listed below are the materials that are required for a complete application.
Application Deadline
Applications for admission must be received by the following deadline:
January 15 for Fall admission (Ph.D. and M.A. programs).
We do not require GRE scores for those who are applying for admittance.
Application Procedures
Important Note: The University of New Mexico uses an online graduate application procedure. To begin the process, you should visit: Apply Now. There, you will receive a PIN that will enable you to access the application steps. Both U.S. citizens and international students submit an online application to University of New Mexico’s Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) at this site.
*No advisor/student pairings take place until after students arrive in Albuquerque.
International applicants should visit the Global Education Office web page for admission requirements and guidelines. Applicants need to have their official transcripts, English language test scores, and a copy of their official diplomas in English and the original language sent directly to GEO. Please visit the Global Education Office’s English Language Requirement web page for a list of all acceptable English language tests and other important requirement instructions.
English proficiency test scores must arrive at Global Studies before the department’s application deadline in order for your file to be reviewed.
The online application form requires the following information:
- Program of Interest
Select: College of Arts & Sciences > Communication & Journalism > Communication > MA or Ph.D.Applicants should choose one or two areas of interest.
Educational Background
Please fill out the form as indicated.Transcripts
Communication & Journalism strongly requires applicants to upload unofficial transcripts as part of to the online application. We also ask applicants to attach unofficial set of diplomas or degree certificates to the online application. In addition, applicants must follow the instructions on the online application site and have official transcripts from each institution of higher education attended and sent directly to UNM.Domestic applicants should have their official transcripts sent to:
UNM Admissions
P.O. Box 4895
Albuquerque, NM 87196-4849
International Applicants should have their official transcripts sent to:
International Admissions
Global Education Office
1 University of New Mexico
MSC06 3850
2120 Mesa Vista Hall
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001Letter of Intent Your statement should have 3-4 double-spaced, typed pages and answer the following questions:
Part One:
(a) What motivates you to apply to a graduate program in communication studies? You may refer to background and experiences, undergraduate studies, and any achievements that relate to your interest and potential for graduate studies.
(b) Identify your specific interests in communication and any special areas of study in our C&J department (i.e., critical intercultural studies, health communication, media studies).
(c) Why are you interested in our C&J department in particular?
Part Two:
Describe a study or project that you would want to investigate during your graduate studies in communication. You may cite any publications and other resources that you used to develop your letter of intent.Writing Sample
All Ph.D. and Masters applicants must also submit a writing sample (i.e., articles submitted for publication, conference papers, chapters of thesis, paper for a class). Videotapes are not appropriate.CV/Resume
Please submit a CV with the usual items of interest, including at least (1) contact information, (2) degrees and institutions, (3) work history, (4) publications, presentations, and other creative works. We do not review video or audio materials. If you have relevant media materials of this type, please refer to them in your CV and/or letter of interest.Assistantship Interest
Information on C&J’s assistantships can be found in the Assistantships page on this departmental web page. If you are interested in a teaching assistantship, please you must upload a separate document of 1-2 pages to the online application site that answers the following:
a. What teaching experience have you had? If you have not had any direct teaching experience, what skills, knowledge, or related academic experiences have you had that would assist or qualify you to be considered for a teaching assistantship?b. What is your teaching philosophy (i.e how would you approach teaching, interact with students, create a learning environment, etc.) ?
c. Of the following courses, indicate which you feel comfortable or qualified to teach and why. You may list as many courses as you like (and include other courses not listed), but please provide a brief justification: public speaking, interpersonal, small group, intercultural, interviewing, persuasion, communicating for teachers, nonverbal, media theory, business and professional speaking, writing for the mass media, introduction to communication.
Additional information on C&J assistantships can be obtained on the department’s web site.
d. Please briefly indicate whether you would have an independent means of financial support in the event that you are unable to receive UNM funding or financial aid.
- Recommendations
Three (3) letters of recommendation are required. Recommendations should come from former professors or those who are familiar with your academic work. Recommendations from graduate students (i.e., teaching assistants) are not appropriate. Academic recommendations are more helpful and carry more weight than do those from current/previous employers. Please indicate at the application website the names and contact information of your references. Each reference will then receive an automated email from UNM instructing them on how to submit their letters. Be sure to do this well in advance so that all materials are received no later than the deadline.
What Happens Next
You may keep a draft of the material uploaded to the admissions site until you are ready to finish it. Once you are ready, please click "submit," and your materials will be made available to the department for processing. If you have any questions about the program or application process, please do not hesitate to contact our Graduate Programs Coordinator, Ph.D. Program Director or, M.A. Program Director.
The deadline for application is January 15, but we encourage early application if possible. Materials received after the deadline will not be considered for admission. Please note that the Global Education Office will not process applications that have late arriving English proficiency test scores, so please be sure to have that score to their office by the deadline. Note: The TOEFL scores must be sent by ETS.
The Committee meets within two weeks after the deadline date to review applications. To ensure that you receive the fullest consideration by our Graduate Committee, please have all materials in to the admissions offices as early as possible.
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