Table of admission requirements
Required Documents Admission Requirements

Online Graduate Application
  • Application Fee (credit or debit card and e-checks accepted)
  • Apply Online

One Official Transcript from each institution where you have previously enrolled (undergraduate and graduate).

(Transcripts of coursework completed in-residence at VSU will be obtained by the Graduate School
  • Must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution.
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale. 
Statement of Intent
  • The statement of intent should briefly outline relevant academic interests in the field. It is appropriate in such letters to discuss one's most successful undergraduate work, and to indicate one's ultimate goals (should not exceed 750 words).

Two Recommendations

(General Recommendation Form Required)
  • Recommendations from professionals familiar with your academic background.
Writing Sample
  • A sample of academic writing, preferably from an upper-level course.
  • The statement of intent and writing sample will be used by the Graduate Program Coordinator to assess the writing skills of the applicant and the applicant’s fit to the program.
  • The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is no longer required (although scores may be submitted voluntarily by applicants).

4+1 Admission:

Accelerated programs provide eligible students the opportunity to take graduate-level courses during their undergraduate studies that count both for their undergraduate and graduate degrees. 

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE TO TAKE GRADUATE COURSES IN AN ACCELERATED PROGRAM?

To be eligible, you must...

  • be a current VSU undergraduate student
  • earned at least 60 credit hours 
  • meet the requirements established by each program 

If you are interested in learning more about accelerated programs, speak with your academic or faculty advisor to learn more.

Why apply for the 4+1 program? 

  • Combined Degrees: Allows high-achieving undergraduate students to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Communication or a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Mass Media plus a Master of Arts in Communication in an accelerated timeline. 
  • Graduate Coursework Early: Students can take approved graduate-level communication courses while still completing their undergraduate degree. 
  • Cost & Time Savings: Reduces both the total time to graduation and the overall cost of earning a master's degree.
  • Career Pathways: Prepares graduates for careers in corporate communication, public relations, media strategy, entrepreneurship, or preparation for doctoral study. 

Probationary Admission:

To be accepted as a probationary student in the M.A. program in the Department of Communication & English the student must do the following:

  • Possess a bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited institution.
  • Submit a Statement of Intent, which should not exceed 750 words.  
  • Submit a sample of academic writing, preferably from an upper-level course
  • Submit two letters of recommendation.
  • In addition to submitting the required admissions materials, students seeking probationary admission must submit a three-page essay to the MAIC program coordinator, detailing (a) career goals and (b) academic interests. 

Probationary admission is at the complete discretion of the MAIC graduate program coordinator. Meeting or exceeding the above minimal standards for probationary admission does not guarantee admission. The department makes a determination for admission based on the above criteria as well as the student's career goals, fit to the program, and evolving trends and standards in the profession.

International Applicants 

We welcome international applications to our M.A. program. International applicants must meet all admission criteria and documentation requirements as defined by the program, and additional documentation may be required.  Please review the information below for specific information and guidelines.
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Exam - Applicants whose first language is not English (based on country of citizenship) must submit official scores on the TOEFL exam. International applicants whose first language is not English but who have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a U.S. institution may be exempt from the TOEFL requirement.
  • Certificate of Finances - The Certificate of Finance is required of any applicant requiring a student visa to enter the United States to complete his or her studies. This document is considered a part of the application for admission and applications will not be reviewed without this document.  Applicants who do not require an I-20 student visa to complete their studies are exempt from this requirement.
  • Evaluation of International Transcripts - Applicants who have completed coursework at an institution outside of the United States must submit a course-by-course evaluation of the coursework.  This transcript evaluation must be completed by an international education credentials evaluation service such as Josef Silny, ECE, etc.  The transcript evaluation does not replace the transcript requirement. Official transcripts are still required.